Drive.com
TESLA’S newest and largest Model Y has quickly become one of Australia’s hottest-selling electric vehicles, with demand for the new six-seat version now outstripping supply.
Customers ordering the Tesla Model Y L are now facing delivery wait times stretching into August and September, making it the longest wait of any Tesla model currently sold in Australia.
The surge in demand follows a record-breaking June for Tesla, when the Model Y became Australia’s best-selling new vehicle after recording 8072 sales.
While Tesla has not released Australian sales figures for individual Model Y variants, overseas trends suggest the new six-seat model is proving particularly popular with families.
In neighbouring New Zealand, the Model Y L accounted for 43 per cent of all Model Y sales last month, making it the best-selling version in the range.
Australian figures also point to strong demand. More than 63 per cent of Model Y deliveries in June were Long Range models, which include both the five-seat and six-seat variants.
Before the Model Y L launched earlier this year, Long Range versions accounted for less than 40 per cent of sales.
A Tesla Australia spokesperson said the new family- focused model had struck a chord with buyers.
“The Model Y L has resonated strongly with families, capturing a significant share of Model Y sales and reinforcing its position as a standout choice in the segment,” they said.
Priced from $74,900 plus on-road costs, the Model Y L costs $6000 more than the equivalent five-seat version but adds a third row of seating, making it Tesla’s first three-row vehicle sold in Australia in six years.
The larger SUV features six individual seats, with power-adjustable, heated and ventilated captain’s chairs in the second row and a walk-through aisle providing access to two heated third-row seats.
Tesla has also equipped the Model Y L with adaptive suspension, an 18-speaker premium sound system, vehicle-to-load capability, ventilated wireless phone chargers and redesigned front seats with additional thigh support.
Power comes from dual electric motors producing 378kW and 590Nm, allowing the electric SUV to accelerate from 0-100km/h in a claimed five seconds.
Despite its larger size, the Model Y L offers a reported impressive driving range of up to 681km.
The new model has also become Australia’s most affordable electric vehicle with more than five seats.
