The Model 3 Standard Range, which claimed a 272-mile range on a full charge, used cheaper lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells that were produced in China. Those will likely become more expensive to import due to the Biden administration’s decision to raise tariffs on Chinese batteries, semiconductors, and critical minerals. It’s the only model that, before incentives, came close to the short-lived and long-promised $35,000 Model 3.
Tesla’s RWD Long Range costs $3,500 more than the discontinued Standard Range. It’s not a huge price gap considering the Long Range gets an estimated 363 miles of range on a full charge, though Tesla has been accused of inflating its range estimates.