The desire to drive an electric vehicle is growing for more and more people worldwide. While a growing number of car manufacturers can now offer you a full-electric car model of their own, most people want to go to the one brand that’s synonymous with the electric vehicle movement, Elon Musk’s Tesla.
Are you curious about owning a Tesla in Australia, perhaps even the latest Model Y? Well, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’re going to answer the questions you have (or probably will have) as you toy with the idea of driving a Tesla of your own.
Here we go!
Can I Buy Tesla Cars in Australia?
Alright, let’s begin by getting this crucial question out of the way. Yes, you can indeed purchase a Tesla of your own in Australia. As you’ll see in a section further down in this article, there are four Tesla stores (for now, at least) where you can drop by, or you could design and order a model online.
Good. Now that we're clear that Teslas are available in Australia, let's move on to the next critical question you probably have in your mind right now.
Which Tesla Models Are Available to Aussie Buyers?
Here’s a quick rundown of the Tesla models that you can buy in Australia today.
Model S
In Australia, you can purchase the Tesla Model S, the all-electric, five-door liftback sedan. At its best, it has a range of up to 647 km.
Model 3
You can also get your hands on the Tesla Model 3 in Australia. This one is the four-door fastback sedan, which has a range of up to 423 km. The Tesla Model 3, in particular, is known for carrying full self-driving hardware as an added benefit.
Model X
Are you looking for something a bit higher-end? Well, Aussies also have access to Tesla’s Model X. That’s the midsize luxury crossover SUV of the Tesla family. It’s got five doors and comes with a maximum range of 523 km in total.
Model Y
Australian drivers with a preference for something sportier might be happy to know that they can also buy the Tesla Model Y in the country. This one is the compact crossover utility vehicle with a maximum range of 393 km.
Cybertruck
Last but not least, Australians can also get their hand on the Tesla model that birthed a thousand memes online when it was first announced. The futuristic-looking light-duty truck has also made its way to Australian shores. At its absolute best, the Cybertruck can go as far as 800 km in range!
Powerwall
Okay, so this isn’t a car model, I know. But hear me out. If you’re getting hyped up about the Tesla brand as a whole, you’ll want to know this.
In Australia, Tesla has also made available its Powerwall, which is the rechargeable lithium-ion battery that's meant to power your entire home.
Now, don’t forget, Australia has the luxury of enjoying plenty of sunshine throughout the year. That’s why plenty of Australians have made the smart move of switching over to solar power for their homes, at least to some extent. Tesla’s Powerwall is a fantastic way to add more Tesla into your life!
Plus, let’s be honest here. If there’s ever a power outage and you want to keep that Tesla in your garage fully-charged, what better way to do that than with the Powerwall as a backup power supply?
Are Tesla Cars More Expensive in Australia? Why?
If you’ve ever heard the rumour that Teslas are more expensive in Australia, I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Yes, it’s true. Tesla models across the board are more expensive in our country. Several factors cause this to happen, including:
Import Fees
First and foremost, it’s essential to know that Teslas are not manufactured locally in Australia. So, they need to be shipped over to us from overseas. Unfortunately, on account of Australia being an island somewhat in the middle-of-nowhere, those import fees are pretty high and factor into the vehicle’s price tag.
Luxury Car Tax
Given that Tesla cars' prices are above a certain threshold, they are subject to luxury car taxes in Australia. As you might imagine, those taxes end up being a part of the final price tag that a car buyer pays to get their hands on a Tesla model.
Local Fees
One of the unique things about Australia when it comes to cars is how each state and territory has its way of doing things. That leads to differences in local fees that you might have to pay to buy and drive a Tesla, which depends on the state where you'd be registering the vehicle.
Tesla’s Pricing
Sadly, local issues like import fees and taxes aren't the only reasons why Teslas are more expensive in this country.
The fact of the matter is that Teslas are pricey vehicles to begin with. The world continues to embrace the fully electric car, and leading manufacturers are on board with that change. Still, the world, and certainly Tesla, isn’t at a point where they can lower prices enough to make those cars affordable to everyone.
Some of those prices are more recent, though. Like many other car manufacturers, Tesla has announced price increases in Australia for their cars.
Other Costs
Let’s not forget that buying an all-electric vehicle also involves some significant upgrades (that cost money!). While you may not have to stop at a petrol station in a Tesla, you’ll need to keep that thing changed at home or wherever you may go.
For your home, you’ll need to upgrade your electrical system to charge your Tesla. Outside, you’ll need to pay to charge your Tesla up at a charging station.
So, remember, buying a Tesla isn’t just about the upfront costs but also the cost of operating the vehicle once you own it.
Where Are the Tesla Dealerships in the Country?
At the time of writing this article, there are four Tesla Stores located in Australia. You can find them in:
- Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
- Southport, Gold Coast
- Chadstone, Melbourne
- Parramatta, Sydney
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By Ray Hasbollah