ELECTREK PODCAST: TESLA MODEL 3 $35,000 SCARE, MODEL 3 LEASING, EV EFFICIENCY, AND MORE

EV Channels Review

This episode of the Electrek Podcast delves into several key developments surrounding Tesla and the broader EV market. A significant portion discusses the uncertainty around the $35,000 base Model 3, noting Tesla's removal of mentions from its US configurator and the resulting fan concern, despite Elon Musk's assurances. The hosts also explore the potential impact and strategic timing of a Model 3 leasing program, suggesting it could boost demand but might affect financial reporting in the short term. The discussion then shifts to an impressive EV efficiency test comparing the Tesla Model X with the Audi e-tron and Jaguar I-PACE, where the Model X significantly outperformed the others, attributed to Tesla's decade of EV experience, aerodynamic design, and potentially different tire choices. The podcast touches on Tesla's Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) progress, with Musk's confident prediction of feature completeness by year-end, though with the caveat that human observation will still be required. Finally, the conversation covers the strong demand for Tesla's Powerwall home battery, supply constraints, and the growing influence of Tesla as a benchmark for traditional automakers facing increased competition in the EV space.