I'm too S-3-X-Y for my car: the ultimate Tesla guide
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If you’re in the market for an electric car lease, then Tesla is probably the first brand that came to mind. The American automaker has become synonymous with electric cars. However, due to the brand’s market saturation, it can be difficult to separate the important information from the filler.
Below is our comprehensive guide to leasing a Tesla. We’ll cover:
A Brief History of Tesla Inc.
Founded in 2003, the company began life as Tesla Motors, attributing its namesake to the electrical engineer and inventor Nikola Tesla. After injecting USD$6.5million of cash investment in 2004, Elon Musk became its largest shareholder and took over as CEO in 2008.
After four rounds of funding and releasing its first vehicle - the Tesla Roadster, Tesla had amassed $187 million in investment – USD$70 million of which was?Musk’s personal money.?
The company went public in 2010, offering 13.3 million shares at $17 each (now worth $227 each at the time of writing), raising a further $226 million and began production of the Tesla Model S at its Fremont site in California. It was a runaway success, becoming the?best-selling plug-in car?worldwide in 2015 and 2016.?
Tesla’s third offering - the Model X - was released in 2015, aiming to take a chunk out of the luxury SUV market. It too, was a success, although it still demanded quite the price premium, making it unviable for most motorists.
After acquiring the photovoltaics company SolarCity in 2016, the company changed its name to Tesla Inc. in 2017 in an effort to reflect their expansion into industries aside from auto-manufacturing.?
2018 saw the mass rollout of the?world’s most popular electric car?- the Tesla Model 3. The intention behind the Model 3 was to make Tesla accessible for the average motorist, serving as an entry point into premium all-electric motoring. It worked. In 2021, it was the UK’s best-selling electric car, shifting nearly 35,000 units.?
Seeing out Tesla’s S-3-X-Y lineup is the Model Y. Released in 2020, this all-electric crossover marked the end of an era for the automaker. After a decade of dominating the all-electric car market, Tesla started to tease the introduction of two vehicles: an all-new Roadster and the Cybertruck.
As it currently stands, Tesla Inc. is the most profitable car manufacturer on the planet, selling more electric cars than any other established automaker by quite a large margin. In the first six months of 2022,?Tesla sold c.550,00 electric cars globally. Their current market cap hovers around USD$690 B - which is more than the trailing 10 automakers?combined.?
It’s fair to say that the future is very bright for Tesla.?
Already convinced? See how you can?save up to 50% off?a brand new Tesla.
A Short Glossary of Tesla Terms
The electric car industry is awash with acronyms, confusing jargon and brand-specific terms. Tesla is no exception. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the terms you may come across and what they mean for Tesla.
Plaid?- This is used to describe Tesla’s top-performance models. An obscure pop culture reference to the film ‘Spaceballs’, where the increasing speed of a spaceship is measured as follows; lightspeed, ridiculous speed, ‘ludicrous’ speed and then culminating in ‘plaid’.
Ludicrous Mode?- As mentioned above, Ludicrous Mode refers to the film ‘Spaceballs’. Found in Plaid models and earlier Performance models, once engaged the mode boosts acceleration, adjusts battery power and enables launch control. It’s essentially a ‘go fast’ button.
Autopilot?- This comes as standard on every new Tesla, although its name is somewhat of a misnomer. Autopilot is actually an ‘advanced driver assistance system’ rather than full-blown autonomous driving. Tesla has stated that it’s intended for use with a “fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to take over at any moment.”
Supercharger Network?- This is Tesla’s dedicated charging network, allowing compatible models to regain over 200 miles of charge in just 15 minutes. Until 2016, any Tesla owner could charge for free, utilising this exclusive network of electric chargers. There have been patchy promotions over the years for first owners to qualify for free Supercharging, but as a general rule of thumb, Supercharging for Tesla owners is no longer free.
RWD vs. AWD?- This simply denotes whether power is going to the two rear wheels (rear wheel drive), or all four wheels (all-wheel drive). All-wheel drive is typically a bit more stable and able to put power down more consistently, hence why the more performance-orientated Tesla models will only come in AWD.?
Standard vs. Long Range vs. Performance?- These are typically the three variants across Tesla’s lineup. As Tesla’s entry-level car, the Model 3 comes in a ‘standard’ RWD option. Opt for a ‘Long Range’ option on either the Model 3 or Model X, and the battery is optimised for eking out every last mile before recharging. The ‘Performance’ option on the Model 3 or Model Y ups the power, increasing top speed and improving 0-60mph figures. Above that are the Plaid options, as previously mentioned.
Model 3
The jewel in Tesla’s crown, the Model 3 represents a market dominance within the automotive industry unseen since the Ford Model T. For many, the Model 3 is synonymous with the term ‘electric car.’ It may even be the only all-electric make and model they know.?
That isn’t by chance. It sold nearly 3x as many units in the UK as its closest rival in 2021. This equated to a 18.23% UK electric car market share that year, cementing the Model 3 as a staple of our roads.
It’s the automaker’s ‘base-model’: the most accessible point of entry into the Tesla ecosystem. But don’t be fooled. This isn’t a stripped back sub-offering riding on the coattails of its famous red ‘T’ emblem. There’s a reason it’s the?globe’s best-selling electric car.
So what’s all the fuss about?
Car sales are built on trust, and the ultimate trust automakers can offer to families is safety. Tesla leads with how rigorous its safety standards are for every model. The Model 3 is no exception.
Tesla builds the Model 3 with high-strength steel that offers increased structural rigidity and higher occupant safety. The heavy battery packs are spread across the entirety of the floor pan, keeping the centre of gravity incredibly low and close to the ground. This isn’t unique to the Model 3 - nearly all electric cars have low-slung battery packs. However, as a saloon car, there’s an even smaller risk of rollover.
Each small design choice accentuates the minimalist philosophy Tesla was aiming for. The door handles sit flush with the panel, wheel covers optimise aero-efficiency, and the sleek body lets the Model 3 slice through air with minimal drag.
A minimalist approach is taken on the interior, too. A large central touchscreen handles everything; SatNav, speed, entertainment, charge level, air conditioning - the list goes on. Everything is controlled, displayed and adjusted via the touchscreen.
I want to be faster than a supercar, but still have enough room for my partner and 3 kids - is the Model 3 a good choice?
Take your pick. The Model 3 comes in three variations - all of which get increasingly bonkers. Regardless of variant, the car receives over-the-air updates that keeps the software updated. This means the Model 3 is constantly evolving, passively gaining new features, higher performance/range and better comfort.
If any of those options sound like your next car, see how you could?save up to 50%?on a brand new Tesla Model 3.
Model X
The rise in popularity of the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) has been exponential. Previously, there were distinct body styles for specific applications. If drivers needed a vehicle that was capable off-road, had a lot of space inside for farming or outdoor equipment - they’d buy a 4x4. Most families drove around in hatchbacks. Whilst country-types bought estate cars - mainly Volvos - to house their muddy labradors.
Beginning in earnest with the Ford Explorer over in the US during the early 1990s, SUVs infiltrated the UK market over the next two decades. To create them, manufacturers would often graft a hatchback body and engine onto a heightened chassis and slap an SUV badge on the bootlid. The unfortunate downside to this was increased fuel consumption, making the SUV segment incredibly inefficient.?
By 2010, there were over 35 million of them across the globe. In 2020,?that number had grown by over 5.5x?- reaching 200 million vehicles in operation
If automakers weren’t making an SUV, they weren’t in the running. Even a pioneering market disruptor like Tesla has to play by some rules. Cue the Model X - putting the ‘Sport’ back into ‘SUV’.
With immense performance and - most importantly - zero tailpipe emissions, the Model X is the ultimate machine for the active modern family. There’s up to 92 ft3 of storage inside the cabin, a tow capacity of 2268 kg and those iconic Falcon Wing doors make loading kids/cargo/baggage into the car much easier.?
Utility doesn’t get in the way of modcons and futuristic design. The exterior has the lowest drag coefficient (0.24 Cd) of any SUV on the market, allowing air to glide over the body with ease, maximising both range and performance.?
Inside, Tesla has reinvented the wheel, replacing the traditional circular steering wheel with a yoked design. It’s not to everyone’s taste, but allows an unobstructed view of the digital instrument cluster and 17” infotainment touchscreen in the centre of the dash. HEPA filtered air circulates throughout and a plethora of wireless and traditional charging points are scattered throughout the cabin.?
As the old adage goes, you can only have two: performance, reliability, and affordability. But at?loveelectric, we don’t agree. The Model X may currently be the most premium Tesla on the market, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be affordable. With our salary sacrifice benefit, we’re able to slash the monthly cost of a Model X lease by up to 50%.
Don’t believe us??See for yourself here.
The luxury SUV option: Model X (Dual Motor AWD)
A lot of SUVs on the market can take liberties with the key ingredients, lacking in the ‘sport’ department or making little practical sense on the ‘utility’ side. The Tesla Model X nails both.?
The ‘Lambo Killer’: Model X Plaid Edition (Tri-Motor AWD)
For those who’d like the fastest production SUV on the planet. For the individual that looks at a Lamborghini Urus and thinks, “it’s nice, but a bit slow for my liking.” The mad Plaid Edition has acceleration that most dedicated sports cars could only dream of, a licence-revoking top speed and a range that’ll put even the most anxious of drivers at ease.
Model Y
The Tesla Model Y sits between the Model X and Model 3 as an amalgamation of both. A best-hits collection of the lineup that precedes it, offering maximum versatility for any application.?
If you’ve got a large family, then this is the Tesla to go for. With seven seats as standard on the Long Range variant, each second row seat folds completely flat, allowing drivers to completely customise the internal configuration. This allows drivers to fit luggage, skis and the family dog with ease. There’s also additional storage in the ‘frunk’ - the space freed up by the omission of a traditional engine.
Go for a Model Y lease and you’ll receive a load of great spec as standard. The panoramic glass roof keeps the cabin feeling bright and spacious, with the high-tech keyless entry system turning your phone into a digital car key. Tesla’s iconic 15” horizontal touchscreen adorns the centre of the dash, controlling and displaying every one of the vehicle’s functions.
As we looked at the rise of the SUV with the Model X, the Model Y appeases another emerging market: the crossover. This is essentially a compact-SUV. Or a small hatchback with a heightened ride. The waters are somewhat muddy, however Tesla’s pricing of the Model Y sits squarely between the Model 3 saloon and the full-fat Model X SUV.?
Regardless of the bodystyle designation, the Model Y is the last in Tesla’s original model lineup and offers an absurd amount of practicality and performance for the money. It would be an even better deal with up to?50% off?the monthly cost. Luckily,?loveelectric’s salary sacrifice scheme allows drivers to do just that.?
The world’s first desirable MPV: Model Y Long Range (Dual Motor AWD)
Thanks to its configurable seating, the Model Y is essentially a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). However, MPVs have a bit of an image problem, which is why the Model Y is often referred to as the more marketable ‘crossover’. In reality, names and designations are irrelevant. This is an incredibly capable, all-electric, family vehicle.?
For a supersonic schoolrun: Model Y Performance (Dual Motor AWD)
Astronomical acceleration is achieved thanks to a few key upgrades. The performance edition comes with uprated brakes, lowered suspension and aluminium alloy pedals (they don’t actually help with performance but ‘feel’ sporty). Most noticeable are the 21” überturbine wheels, which increase the overall aerodynamics of the car.
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Model S
“The quickest acceleration of any vehicle in production.”?
It’s quite an achievement. The first car in Musk’s S-3-X-Y roadmap, the Model S became the manufacturer’s first commercially available, viable and?successful?car.
It includes all the bells and whistles of any modern electric car. Tesla’s now synonymous 17” touchscreen adorns the centre of the dash, there’s HEPA air filtration throughout with the unique yoke steering wheel allowing an unobstructed view of the digital instrument cluster. There’s enough room for three adults in the back, with extra leg and headroom and wireless charging from a stowable armrest.
Upon its release, the Model S began gunning for established luxury saloons. It had Germany’s big three in its sights, looking to take a chunk out of the executive and company car market that BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi have dominated for decades.
It did this by looking like an understated, ‘normal’ car. No fancy frills or shouting about its all-electric powertrain. The Tesla Model S simply looks like how an executive car should. It also has adaptive suspension, ensuring that ride quality is superior and luxurious no matter the road conditions.?
But its party trick was an incredibly low?Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) rate.?This made the Model S attractive to companies and employees alike, who could save a huge tax bill by ditching diesel and switching to an all-electric vehicle instead.
Which is actually still the case. Via?loveelectric’s salary sacrifice scheme, drivers can save hundreds of pounds a month on a Tesla lease. No deposit required, short lead times.
Sound too good to be true??See how it works here.
The executive option: Model S (Dual Motor AWD)
Compared with its rabid Plaid alternative, the base Model S seems somewhat tame. Compared with any other vehicle though, this is still one of the fastest mass-produced vehicles on the planet with an industry-leading range figure.
The fastest production car in the world: Model S Plaid Edition (Tri-Motor AWD)
An obscene amount of performance, delivered without the roar, scream and pollution of internal combustion. The performance figures speak for themselves.
Roadster
The Genesis of all that came after it. Released in 2008, the original Tesla Roadster served as a litmus test for desirable electric cars. Taking clear inspiration from the Lotus Elise, this two-seat sportscar answered the question of what an electric car?can?be, rather than what it?should?be.
With a range of 245 miles from a single charge and an 0-60mph time of 3.7s - the Tesla Roadster was an all-round showcase of where zero tailpipe motoring was heading. It was never destined for mass-production in its original form, shifting only 2,400 units at a cost of USD$111,000.
But it did make Tesla profitable, earning $1million on $20million of revenue as of July 2009. This may be a modest figure by the company’s standards today, but proved that there was demand for desirable electric cars - so the American automaker got to work and produced the Model S.?
As we’ve already explored, the Model lineup was crafted to assert total dominance over the electric car market. The Model 3 to overtake Germany’s big three in company car stakes, the Model S as a plush exec car, Model X to elbow out other big premium SUVs and finally the Model Y to satisfy crossover fanatics.
Tesla’s books look slightly different today than they did in 2009. There are a few more zeros and decimal points in their current earnings calls, with over?$3billion (yes, with a ‘b’) in profit?for Q1 of 2022 alone.?
With shareholders happy to be part of a company that prints money, Tesla has afforded itself a large amount of wiggle-room to go back to its roots. What roots they are. The upcoming Tesla Roadster takes everything the manufacturer has learnt since its 2008 debut and crammed it into a sleek four-seater.?
The?new?Tesla Roadster - electric motoring, redefined
There’s no two ways around it, which is exactly why Tesla has used it for the strapline - it’s “the quickest car in the world.”
This all-wheel drive monster is a behemoth of?figures and stats. Thanks to 10,000 Nm of torque, acceleration is?brisk. From a standing start, the Tesla Roadster 2024 will reach?60 mph in just 1.9s, or if the national speed limit is just far too slow for you - it’ll do?0-100 mph in 4.2s.?If you’ve got the gumption to keep your foot flat to the floor, this rapid acceleration will see the car top out at over?250 miles per hour.?
File this car under ‘effing fast’.
But this ballistic performance doesn’t mean you’ll be visiting charging stations a quarter-mile at a time. In fact, Roadster owners will barely have to visit one at all thanks to its?620 mile range.?
The cherry on top? There’s four seats. Enough room to terrify the whole family.
With a top speed that should be measured in Mach rather than miles-per-hour and a 0-100 mph time that’ll put fear into even the steeliest of nerves, the new Tesla Roadster allows Musk to make his 2008 dream a reality, creating the car its original forefather should always have been.
Although still in pre-production, we hope to have this incredible vehicle available via salary sacrifice as soon as it hits UK shores. In the meantime, why not?see how much you could save on your favourite electric car?
Cybertruck
For those who’d like to live out their Tony Stark fantasies, the Tesla Cybertruck may well be the ticket to glory. Entering mass production at the end of 2023, this cyberpunk, brushed steel, angular, video game truck will likely be available in the UK the year after - Tesla Cybertruck lease coming in 2024.?
Tesla’s strapline for the Cybertruck is:?“Better utility than a truck with more performance than a sports car.”
Let’s start with durability. The body - or ‘exoskeleton’ - is made from Ultra-Hard 30X Cold-Rolled stainless-steel. Tesla say this will help to eliminate dents, long-term corrosion and damage. Essentially an exterior shell, this method of production should increase passenger safety in comparison with traditional manufacturing practices.?
Another headline feature is the?Armour Glass. This glass and polymer-layered composite is said to redistribute high-impact force in the event of a crash or impact, absorbing a large amount of the energy and thus increasing damage tolerance.
Unfortunately, this became a literal headline feature at the unveiling of the Tesla Cybertruck. To demonstrate this impenetrable and shatterproof glass, Musk asked a colleague to throw a steel ball at the front window of the Cybertruck - only for it to shatter. They repeated the experiment with the smaller, rear window. Only for that to shatter too.
Cynical minds may say this was a viral marketing stunt intended to shatter. Others say the window was slightly open due to a previous on-stage test involving a hammer, causing the glass to have reduced strength. Watch the incident below.
What about the Tesla Cybertruck’s performance, range and handling?
Well, if you’re in the market for a Tesla Cybertruck lease, the performance figures are typically Tesla: impressive.
With such a powerful drivetrain and low centre of gravity, it should handle the copious amounts of torque well and have great traction. It’ll need it. Tesla claims a?0-60mph time of as little as 2.9s,?putting this utilitarian metal beast in the same leagues as supercars and superbikes. Range will be up to?500 miles from a single charge, dwarfing any figure we’ve seen from a Tesla so far.
Supercharger Network
Tesla’s Supercharger Network stands as one of the biggest investments in charging infrastructure the West has seen and remains the gold standard for reliability, speed and number of locations.
The Tesla Supercharger network?launched in 2012?with what has been retroactively dubbed the ‘V1’, with a max power output of 100 kW. These were later replaced by the V2 which has a max power output of 150 kW. Many of these are still in operation, with 150 kW rapid charging being a suitable amount of capacity for most applications.
Then the V3 arrived in 2019, touting a 250 kW maximum power output. This equates to around 15 miles per minute of charge or a charge rate of 1,000 miles per hour. Tesla stated that this new capacity will cut the amount of time spent charging for drivers?by around 50%
Incentives?to use the Supercharging Network have waned over time. Unfortunately, the days of having to convince people to buy a Tesla are long gone, with early adopters currently reaping the benefits of having a little electric faith.
In November of 2021 the automaker announced its?Non-Tesla Supercharger Pilot,?opening up a number of its 35,000 global supercharger network to non-Tesla owners in an effort to encourage more people to switch to electric cars. It’s currently live in a host of European countries, including; France, The Netherlands, Norway, UK, Spain, Sweden, Belgium, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Iceland.?
Tesla are currently crunching the numbers to see if completely opening the network would be viable, but it’s an encouraging move from the globe’s largest automaker.?
Tesla FAQs
In the current climate, lead times do often vary. However, we have a section entirely dedicated to displaying lead times for all our vehicles - including Tesla.?Click here to search through all of our makes and models?and get the latest lead times for each.
If you’re looking into Tesla leasing, then one thing you may be concerned with is how close you are to a Tesla service centre. However, maintenance intervals are generous, with many of the following jobs being able to be carried out by a Mobile Tesla technician. Simply book an appointment via the Tesla app.
A service centre appointment would only be required for more serious issues.
Yes, we just need the RN number.?
Due to being a lease, the reservation number (RN) / vehicle won’t show in your MyTesla account. Once you take delivery of the car, please allow 24 - 48 hrs maximum, before having full access to the Tesla app. The vehicle will be automatically linked to the email address you provided at time of order.?
In short, numerous. Thanks to zero tailpipe emissions, Tesla drivers are exempt from all low emission zones: London’s ULEZ and Congestion Charge, the vehicles don’t have any Vehicle Excise Duty either.
For businesses, the Benefit-in-Kind (BiK rate) is incredibly favourable, locked at only 2% until 2025. Compare this with the average petrol or diesel BiK rate of between 20 - 37%.
These benefits aren’t actually exclusive to Tesla owners - but to everyone that drives an electric car.
The favourable BiK rate is actually how?loveelectric is able to offer Tesla Model 3s, Model Ys and Model Xs for up to?50% off.?It isn’t too good to be true, it’s simply a great benefit that all businesses can implement to help their employees reduce costs and their carbon footprint.?See how it works here.
Join the glittering Tesla-rati
Tesla was founded in 2004 as a simple start-up, looking to create a vehicle for the niche electric car market. Two decades later, it’s the largest automaker on the globe. Their vehicles continue to dominate the electric car market, squeezing out industry stalwarts like Ford, Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz.
As we’ve demonstrated above, there’s a reason Tesla’s electric car model lineup took the company from bespoke car maker to global manufacturer.?
If you’d like to join the 100,000s of Tesla drivers already on UK roads, click below.