Tesla Launches New Model Y At A Bargain Price & A Massive Range

Tesla has once again pushed the boundaries of electric vehicle innovation with the launch of its longest-range Model Y to date.

The new model made its debut in China with an impressive 821 km of range (CLTC), equivalent to around 730 km WLTP or 357 miles on the EPA scale. This makes it not only Tesla’s most efficient SUV to date but also one of the longest-range electric vehicles currently available anywhere in the world.

▶️MORE: 2025 Tesla Model Y price and specs

A New Benchmark: Model Y Long Range RWD

The new Model Y Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) has landed in China with an impressive mix of affordability and performance. Priced at 288,500 yuan (around $A62,500), it sits neatly between the entry-level RWD and the dual-motor AWD Long Range variants.

The major upgrade? A 78.4 kWh Nickel-Cobalt-Manganese (NCM) battery pack, supplied by LG Energy, giving the SUV an extra 228 km of range compared to the standard RWD’s 593 km (CLTC). That’s 38% more range without compromising too much on acceleration.

Performance remains strong for a single-motor SUV, with 0–100 km/h in 5.6 seconds and a top speed of 201 km/h. All variants, including the new Long Range RWD, have estimated delivery times of just 4–6 weeks in China.

▶️MORE: 2025 Tesla Model Y Juniper Refresh

Packed with Incentives in a Highly Competitive Market

Tesla is clearly aiming to maintain momentum in China’s fast-evolving EV market, now home to fierce competition from BYD, NIO, XPeng, and others. To sweeten the deal, the brand is offering multiple incentives for Chinese buyers, including:

• Five-year 0% interest financing
• Free paint and charging benefits
• Enhanced Autopilot transfer at no additional cost (until 30 November 2025)

This push comes as part of Tesla’s broader strategy to make premium EVs more accessible in Asia’s largest auto market.

Meanwhile, Tesla continues to expand its Chinese lineup, recently adding the Model Y L, a slightly stretched variant with a longer wheelbase, captain’s chairs, and upgraded comfort features.

▶️MORE:Tesla Model Y L Six-Seater Launches In China

Could Australia See the Long Range RWD Next?

Currently, Australian buyers can choose between three Model Y variants, including the RWD Standard Range, AWD Long Range, and the recently launched AWD Performance.

The Performance model brings sportier suspension, unique drive modes, 21″ Arachnid 2.0 wheels, carbon-fibre trims, and ventilated sport seats, making it Tesla’s most dynamic SUV yet.

While the new Long Range RWD variant is currently limited to the Chinese market, its launch hints at future global availability. Given Tesla’s recent rollout of the long-range Model 3 variant in Australia, a 2026 arrival for this Model Y could be on the cards for both Australia and New Zealand.

If that happens, it would fill a crucial gap between the base RWD and the pricier AWD Long Range, offering local buyers extended range without the premium tag.

zecar’s take

Tesla’s latest Model Y launch is a smart, strategic move that proves efficiency and affordability can coexist. The 821 km figure might be CLTC-rated (and thus optimistic), but even under WLTP or EPA standards, it represents one of the longest real-world ranges ever achieved in an electric SUV.

For Australia, this model could be a game-changer. It offers the kind of range many local drivers want for intercity trips, without the cost jump of an AWD setup. But like most new EV innovations, it highlights a deeper issue: accessibility and awareness lag behind technology.