Tesla reiterates affordable models coming in 1H 2025, but with no new details
Tesla said today that it remains on track to produce and launch “more affordable models” in the first half of next year, but it shared no new details on when we might expect to hear more.
For several years now, Tesla has been teasing everyone with the promise of more affordable models.
While the Tesla Model 3 is pretty reasonably priced, many have been waiting for a promised $25,000 model, which many had taken to calling the “Model 2.”
Tesla was supposedly going to pursue a new revolutionary “unboxed” manufacturing method to get costs down for the future vehicle, to enable this lower price.
However, earlier this year Tesla CEO Elon Musk refocused the company’s efforts on its recently-announced and much–delayed Robotaxi product and cancelled plans for a $25,000 vehicle, as first reported by Reuters and denied by Musk. Reuters was later shown to be correct in its report.
But even after that, Tesla has continued to state that it is pursuing “more affordable models,” with little additional detail available.
In today’s earnings report, Tesla reiterated guidance stating that it still plans a more affordable model in the coming months, but that it won’t be nearly as revolutionary as originally planned.
Here’s the passage:
Plans for new vehicles, including more affordable models, remain on track for start of production in the first half of 2025. These vehicles will utilize aspects of the next generation platform as well as aspects of our current platforms and will be able to be produced on the same manufacturing lines as our current vehicle line-up.
This approach will result in achieving less cost reduction than previously expected but enables us to prudently grow our vehicle volumes in a more capex efficient manner during uncertain times. This should help us fully utilize our current expected maximum capacity of close to three million vehicles, enabling more than 50% growth over 2023 production before investing in new manufacturing lines.
Our purpose-built Robotaxi product will continue to pursue a revolutionary “unboxed” manufacturing strategy.
This passage is actually exactly the same as what appeared in Tesla’s Q2 earnings, just shifted forward in time three months.
Elsewhere in the report, Tesla states that its “Next Gen Platform” is still “In development,” for production in various regions around the world. Tesla currently operates vehicle manufacturing facilities in California, Texas, Shanghai and Berlin.
Electrek’s Take
If Tesla’s timeline is to be believed, this new model is coming in less than 8 months. While it’s not impossible that a company can develop a model in secret and get it on the road within 8 months of the public learning about it, we have never seen a new Tesla model go from introduction to production anywhere near that quickly.
It’s much more common for Tesla to hold a big launch party and then release the vehicle to the public many years later (sometimes with big delivery delays for certain specs or certain buyers).
Even refreshes usually have news leaked months in advance. We’ve seen a refreshed Model Y driving around with what looks like a more Model 3 highland-like front end, and recently heard rumors that the Model Y refresh is going into trial production in Shanghai this week.
That refresh likely wouldn’t make it into the market until early next year, especially in North America, if production is starting in Shanghai first.
It’s almost enough to make us wonder – is this the “more affordable” model that Tesla has been talking about all this time? Just a refreshed Model Y, perhaps with process improvements that will enable Tesla to push the price down some?
If so, that would be quite disappointing. A refresh isn’t really a new model, and it’s unlikely to break any new ground in terms of becoming the lowest-priced Tesla ever (since we can’t imagine they’d price the Model Y lower than the Model 3).
And if they’re not talking about the refresh, and indeed are talking about an actual new model – that just adds another product to Tesla’s mind-numbingly-crowded “next year,” where Musk has stated that the company will change the world in 6 – count ’em, six – ways.
We certainly hope a new cheaper model is coming, especially as Tesla’s offerings (minus the polarizing Cybertruck) have become a little bit stale. It could help drive more EV adoption by reaching a new lower price point, could change perceptions of Tesla as a luxury-only vehicle brand, and could even bring in new customers for Model 3/Y who had previously been turned off by that perception of Teslas as being “too expensive” (despite, e.g., quite attractive lease deals).
And in particular, it remains disappointing that Musk has chosen to focus on a pie-in-the-sky Robotaxi (which will not be available “next year,” for the tenth-or-so year he’s said it will be), and various AI-buzzword nonsense, than what consumers keep asking for – a cheaper EV model. Reiteration that Tesla is working on one is good, but we’ll remain unconvinced until Tesla shares more details.
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Electric vehicles’ share of the market continues to climb in America’s second city, with BEV registrations up more than 50% in the first quarter of 2025 compared with the same period last year. Great news, but charging hasn’t up – but a new plan from Chicago Department of Transportation aims to build up enough infrastructure for the city to keep up.
In a bid to keep up with the rapid growth of EVs, Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT is currently seeking public feedback on a plan called “Chicago Moves Electric Framework.” The city’s first such plan, it outlines initiatives that include a curbside charging pilot through the city’s utility, ComEd, and expanded charging access in key areas throughout the city.
Unlike other such plans, however, the new plan aims to focus on bringing electric vehicle charging to EIEC and low income communities, too.
“Through this framework, we are setting clear goals and identifying solutions that reflect the voices of our residents, communities, and regional partners,” said CDOT Commissioner Tom Carney. “By prioritizing equity and public input, we’re creating a roadmap for electric transportation that serves every neighborhood and helps drive down emissions across Chicago.”
Neighborhoods on the south and west sides of Chicago experience a disproportionate amount of air pollution and diesel emissions, largely due to vehicle emissions according to CDOT. Despite that, most of Chicago’s public charging stations are clustered in higher-income areas while just 7.8% are in environmental justice neighborhoods that face higher environmental burdens.
“Too often, communities facing the greatest economic and transportation barriers also experience the most air pollution,” explains Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. “By prioritizing investments in historically underserved areas and making clean transportation options more affordable and accessible, we can improve both mobility and public health.”
The Framework identifies other near-term policy objectives, as well – such as streamlining the EV charger installation process for businesses and residents and implementing “Low-Emission Zones” in areas disproportionately impacted by air pollution by limiting, or even restricting, access to conventional medium- and heavy-duty vehicles during peak hours.
The Chicago Moves Electric Framework includes the installation of Level 2 and DC fast charging stations in public locations such as libraries and Chicago’s Midway Airport, “supporting not only personal EVs but also electric taxis, ride-hail and commercial fleets.”
Chicago has a goal of installing 2,500 public passenger EV charging stations and electrifying the city’s entire municipal vehicle fleet by 2035.
Electrek’s Take
I hate to sound like a bed-wetting liberal here, guys, but Chicago is getting EVs absolutely right with big utility incentives on both vehicles and infrastructure, a governor willing to stand behind smart environmental policy, and a solid push for more and better infrastructure in the areas where they’ll do the most good. They’re even thinking of the children.
Here’s hoping more cities follow suit.
SOURCE: ComEd, via Smart Cities Dive; featured image by EVgo.
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With a fully-enclosed, G-Wagen-inspired body and an 80 mile electric range, the Bodo G-Wagon golf cart is the NEV you need when you decide it’s time to get serous one-upping the rest of the Palm Beach country clubbers.
If you love the look of the $230,000 Mercedes-Benz G580 off-roader, but think the 579 hp, 6,800 lb. electric 4×4 is probably overkill for occasional trips to the golf course and country club, this G-Wagen-inspired golf cart might be just what you’re looking for.
The shiny black 2024 Bodo G-Wagon sold at Mecum Auctions last month for $31,900, which seems like it might not be a lot of money to the sort of person who decides to take a flyer on a goofy, limited-use EV that ships with real, metal doors, power windows, heating and air conditioning, fully digital instrument cluster and infotainment, and a “posh,” caramel leather interior.
It even has windshield wipers, power steering, and a rear-seat entertainment system that’s built into the front headrests!
It’s really nice in there
Under the hood, the Bodo packs a 15 kW (20 hp) electric motor drawing power from a 10 kWh li-ion battery that won’t deliver a scorching 0-60 mph time (it only goes 35), but will deliver you and your buddies from one end of any golf course in North America and back several times over, thanks to the G-Wagon’s 80 mile range.
The official Mecum Auctions listing goes into a bit more detail, and I’ve included it here, in case it gets deleted after a while and you’re just finding this for the first time in 2027:
Be the envy of any country club or golf community showing up with this 2024 Bodo G-Wagon Golf Cart. Perhaps more appropriately known as an E-Wagon, this baby G-Wagon is powered by a 15kW motor with a 10kWh lithium battery. Boasting an 80-mile range and a 35 MPH top speed, the Bodo is an enclosed, luxury golf cart that pampers occupants with heating and air conditioning, rear-seat entertainment, power windows, power locks and a posh, caramel-colored interior. With the Bodo fitted with power steering and 4-wheel power disc brakes with brake boost, drivers will think they’re in a full-size G-Wagon, thanks to the multiscreen entertainment cluster, the rearview camera, windshield wipers, turn signals, running lights and so much more.
Finished in black with the right amount of brightwork, the overall vibe is one of jaw-dropping, smile-inducing fun. While the Bodo would be an excellent choice for any golf community, it should also prove to be hugely popular around a race track or car condo community as well, or maybe even a neighborhood with its own airplane runways. Over the past decade in particular, the demand for unique, luxury golf carts has been on the rise, and understandably so. The number of luxury communities with specific interests in sports, aero and auto has also been on the rise, with people buying homes in these exclusive locations to better engage with like-minded people. All too often a golf cart is the perfect way to get around these gated neighborhoods, and this one is enclosed, comes with the amenities of a full-size car and is infinitely more stylish.
You can check out a few more photos of the 2024 Bodo G-Wagon golf cart that sold at Mecum, below – and if you want one for yourself, you’re in luck! I found this brand-new 2025 “G600 E-Wagon” (in white) for $23,900 at Gulf Carts in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Head on down to the comments and let us know if you buy it.
G-Wagon golf cart gallery
SOURCE | LOTS MORE PHOTOS: Mecum Auctions.
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