Tesla's Model 3 Long Range model is once again available in the U.S.
Tesla
Tesla has reopened orders for the highly sought-after Model 3 Long Range in the U.S. after the configuration had been unavailable for months. The popular electric vehicle was removed from Tesla's lineup last year, citing an excessively long waitlist for production. Now, eager customers can finally place their orders for the car, with deliveries expected to begin next month.
The Model 3 Long Range AWD is now available for purchase at a price of $47,240. It qualifies for a federal tax incentive of $3,750, bringing the final price down to $43,490. The vehicle boasts an impressive estimated range of 325+ miles and a top speed of 145 mph, along with a 0-60 mph acceleration time of just 4.2 seconds.
New Model 3 Configuration Sparks Speculation About Battery Chemistry
The return of the Model 3 Long Range AWD has generated speculation about potential changes in the vehicle's battery chemistry. Some believe that the car may now be equipped with Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries produced in China. This theory is supported by the fact that the vehicle qualifies for only half of the $7,500 federal tax credit available for electric cars. LFP batteries are known to be more cost-effective but can result in slightly reduced range and performance.
However, interestingly, the vehicle's weight remains primarily unchanged at 4,034 lbs. We would have expected a weight increase due to the heavier LFP cells, so the battery chemistry in this vehicle is still unconfirmed. The Model 3 Long Range AWD supports Supercharging at up to 250 kW Max, while the Rear-Wheel Drive Model 3 is limited to 170 kW Max.
Customers Can Expect Deliveries in June 2023
With the Model 3 Long Range AWD now available for order, customers can expect their vehicles to be delivered in June 2023. However, it is worth noting that the car's design appears to remain consistent with the previous version, with no significant exterior changes. As such, those hoping for the rumored Model 3 "Highland" refresh will need to wait a little longer.
The reopening of orders for the Model 3 Long Range AWD highlights Tesla's commitment to meeting the high demand for its electric vehicles. The car's impressive range and performance, combined with the more affordable pricing possibly due to cheaper LFP batteries, make it an attractive option for environmentally conscious consumers looking for a reliable and stylish electric vehicle.
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Cybertruck owners in northern areas - especially those in Canada, have noticed slower charging rates on some vehicles. These owners are experiencing low charging amperage even when using a 48-amp Wall Connectors.
The 4680 cell - the Cybercell, seems to be sensitive to temperature changes and, as such, loses the ability to charge or discharge rapidly. Tesla accommodates this by warming the battery in advance of driving or while driving. However, there seems to be a software issue preventing the battery pack from warming up properly.
In addition, other users have noted that they don’t have regen braking due to the battery not warming up properly, even after driving. If you drive other Tesla vehicles while they’re cold-soaked, they will eventually warm up to offer you full regen and full performance. The Cybertruck, interestingly, will offer you full performance at cold-soaked temperatures as low as -20C (-4F), but will have regen unavailable in temperatures as warm as -5C (41F).
Software Fix Confirmed
Brian Silver over on X reached out to Tesla Service with his findings, who confirmed that this is a known software issue that has now been validated. Tesla Service responded by saying that they’re hopeful a fix can be built into the 2025.2 software update. This is the first time we’re hearing about Tesla’s next major software update, which is expected to be released around the second or third week of 2025.
Tesla has also confirmed that this is not a physical issue with the heating system, so no repair is required for this one - it’ll be another OTA fix, just like many others.
We’re glad to see this one getting fixed so quickly. The issue appears to have started with the 2024 Holiday Update, or it could just be a coincidence since Cybertrucks begin to settle into Canada this year, where winters are much harsher and colder on average.
Workaround
We’re hoping to see this fix go out soon, as the current procedure to get around this is annoying. It requires you to set the navigation to a nearby Supercharger so that your vehicle will precondition the battery. You can stop the navigation to the Supercharger after 5-10 minutes, at which point the battery pack will be more than warm enough to charge at the full amperage of your home charger.
This workaround also resolves the issue of limited regenerative braking by warming up the battery pack sufficiently.
As part of Tesla’s Holiday Update, Tesla has introduced an awesome new feature - multi-vehicle synchronized Light Shows.
Now, you’re probably going to say: Wait! We’ve seen those kinds of light shows already.
And you’re not wrong - thanks to the hard work of people using the Light Show tool, you could synchronize light shows and run different shows on different vehicles. But this was a lot of manual, time-consuming work. Tesla now officially supports creating a light show involving up to eight vehicles.
Coordinated Shows
These new coordinated shows can be set up in the new xLights interface, making it far easier for Light Show designers to assemble everything. They’ll be able to edit and view multiple vehicles at the same time, synchronize them all together - and build variants with up to eight vehicles.
The output is still eight different Light Shows - which will still need to be put on USB flash drives and distributed to the correct vehicles in the correct order, but designers can now build a unified and coordinated light show. It could be possible to coordinate more than eight vehicles in a single Light Show - and we’re sure we’ll find out in the coming weeks what is possible with the updated xLights software.
Tesla showed off a great example below, putting together a jaw-dropping 8-vehicle Light Show using the new “Ready for Assault” show that arrived with the 2024 Holiday Update. Tesla has also gone ahead and contributed example Light Shows on Github to get Light Show designers familiar with the new process.
Tesla’s light show feature received a massive update with this year’s holiday update, but we’re only finding out about some of the features now. Here’s a quick rundown of everything new in Tesla’s Light Show feature:
Support the Off-road Lightbar for the Cybertruck
Start, Stop, or Schedule a Light Show from the Tesla app
Create longer Light Shows
Two new songs, including Cyber Symphony and Ready for Assault
Ability to control Ambient Lighting in 2024 Model 3 or Cybertruck
Display color effects on the vehicle’s center screen
Create Light Shows that involve up to eight vehicles
Cybertruck Lightbar Support
Another interesting addition is the recent support for the Cybertruck’s off-road lightbar. The off-road lightbar can be addressed in three zones - the forward main bar and left and right ditch beams. With the holiday update, Tesla also added the ability to program the vehicle’s ambient lighting, display color effects, and create longer light shows than ever before.
Tying everything together in this update is the ability to start, schedule, or stop a light show directly from the Tesla app.