PODCAST: WEIRD TESLA PRICE INCREASE, MODEL 3 LONG RANGE COMEBACK, LITHIUM LAB, AND MORE

EV Channels Review

The Electrek Podcast episode delves into several Tesla-related news items, starting with a perplexing $250 price increase across Model 3 and Model Y configurations, which the hosts speculate might be a subtle inventory discount rather than a demand-driving strategy. A significant discussion point is the reintroduction of the Model 3 Long Range in the US, noted for its reduced range compared to previous versions and the likely use of Chinese LFP cells, impacting its eligibility for the full federal tax credit. The controversial release of the Model S Plaid Track Package is also highlighted, with the hosts agreeing that charging $20,000 for ceramic brakes and other components to achieve the promised 200 mph top speed feels like false advertising. The episode also touches on Tesla's new 'Lithium Lab' in Nevada, potentially linked to their lithium extraction efforts, and the intriguing discovery of three original Tesla Roadsters found in a container in China for over a decade, attracting significant collector interest. Other segments cover Ford's Mustang Mach-E price cuts, Fisker's initial Ocean SUV deliveries in Europe, and Aptera's production update and funding needs.