Tesla Gives Base Model 3 A Range Boost Without Changing The Price

Tesla has quietly upgraded the base Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) with a slightly bigger battery and a bit more range, withoutincreasing the price!

Australia’s most affordable Tesla now claims a WLTP range of 520km, up from 513km. It’s a small bump, but enough to get you an extra cruise from Sydney’s CBD to Bondi Beach, without costing a cent more. The starting price remains $54,900 before on-road costs.

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The improvement comes courtesy of a new 62.5kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery sourced from CATL, replacing the previous 60kWh unit. It’s the same battery now found in the updated Model Y RWD, and it's been rolling out in Australian Model 3s built from early February 2025.

The powertrain remains unchanged with 208kW sent to the rear wheels, 350Nm of torque resulting in a 0-100km/h time of 6.1 seconds. The LFP battery chemistry is increasingly beocming a major draw for EV buyers to the ability to charge to 100 percent daily with less degradation.

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It’s the first hardware upgrade to the entry-level Model 3 since the 60kWh battery was introduced back in 2021. Since then, the range has been on a steady climb, from 448km in 2021 to 491km in 2022, to 513km in late 2023, and now 520km, albeit the latest increase is due to a bump in battery size.

Tesla hasn’t made any changes to the Long Range AWD or Performance variants. The dual-motor Long Range, priced at $64,900 before on-roads, still offers 629km of WLTP range with its 79kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery, placing it among the top five longest-range EVs in Australia.

At the top of the lineup, the Performance AWD version clocks in at $80,900 before on-roads. It delivers 528km of range and an eye-widening 0-100km/h sprint in 3.1 seconds.

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Despite this smart battery tweak, Tesla has had a rough start to 2025. The EV Council reports a sharp 61.9 percent drop in Tesla sales across Australia in the first four months of the year. Still, the Model 3 remains the second-best-selling electric car in the country, behind only its SUV sibling, the Model Y.

Orders for the updated Model 3 RWD are now open, and several examples are already available in stock nationwide. For budget-conscious buyers chasing a practical, long-range EV with proven tech and no price hike, this upgraded Model 3 keeps its edge.