Evidence grows of budget Tesla models for Australia

Cut-price 'Standard' versions of the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y electric vehicles (EVs) could be just around the corner for Aussie buyers.

Tesla Australia has just announced changes to its local nomenclature, with the Model 3 and Model Y falling into line with the brand’s ‘Global Naming Convention’.

Model grades in the Model 3 and Model Y lineup will now be referred to as either Premium Rear-Wheel Drive, Premium Long Range All-Wheel Drive, and Performance All-Wheel Drive – but the decision could be a hint of what’s to come.

While Tesla has introduced Standard variants in other markets, it hasn’t made any announcement regarding the cheaper, pared-back versions for the Australian market at this stage.

CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.

However, according to website Car News China, there are plans to introduce a Model 3 Standard and Model Y Standard to the Chinese range – with Australia’s Tesla vehicles also being manufactured at the company’s Shanghai plant (with the exception of the Model Y Performance from Germany).

The report claims the Model Y Standard – which has reduced performance, a lower driving range, styling changes, and fewer standard features – briefly appeared on Tesla’s Chinese website before being taken down.

Exactly what specification Australian buyers will be offered is yet to be known, but overseas models have the light bars removed from the front and rear, power mirrors swapped for manually adjustable items, non-ventilated front manual seats, no heating for the rear seats, a fabric interior roof lining – despite the roof still being made of glass – as well as other minor changes to the car’s interior, technology, and suspension.

In some right-hand-drive markets, the Model Y Standard is approximately 15 per cent cheaper than the variant now known as the Premium Rear-Wheel Drive, meaning a price tag of $50,000 or less could be possible in Australia.

The introduction of the Model 3 Standard and Model Y Standard could help revitalise sales in Australia, with the company experiencing a drop in deliveries of almost 25 per cent in 2025 – with the Model 3 alone dropping by more than 61 per cent.

In January 2026, Tesla announced it was discontinuing the Model S and Model X – neither of which are on sale in Australia anymore – to make room in its California factory for the production of its humanoid Optimus robot.

MORE: Explore the Tesla Model 3 showroom
MORE: Explore the Tesla Model Y showroom