Tesla starts deliveries of Model 3 Performance and Dual Motor

It’s official: the Tesla Model 3 Long Range rear-wheel-drive is not the only version of the vehicle on the road anymore.

Tesla started customer deliveries of the new Model 3 Performance and Dual Motor versions.

Just over two months after introducing the new vehicles and opening orders for them, Tesla has now started deliveries in the US, according to several reports from owners confirmed by Electrek.

In recent weeks, Tesla started shipping Performance Model 3 vehicles to stores around North America in order to build a test drive fleet.

Just over a week ago, the Dual Motor and Performance versions got their official EPA ratings, which is normally one of the last steps to allow Tesla to start deliveries.

Now the customer vehicles are making it to stores and delivery centers across the country and owners are reporting taking deliveries and Tesla scheduling deliveries in the coming days – often weeks ahead of the initial delivery window.

Despite delays in the Model 3 production ramp, Tesla is actually on schedule for the launch of the Performance and Dual Motor versions. Last year, CEO Elon Musk said it would launch in “mid-2018” and he recently said that production will start ramping up in July to volume production in August-September.

As we have recently previously reported, Tesla is preparing to build large batches of Dual Motor Model 3 vehicles based on VIN registrations in response to the demand for the new versions of the electric car.

The automaker aims to turn its financials around and make a profit during the second half of the year and it looks like the more expensive versions of the Model 3 are a big part of that plan.

Electrek’s Take

The Dual Motor Model 3 production seems to be going as planned. As for my own order for a Performance Model 3, I still don’t have a VIN a month into my order, which means my car is not in production or planned to enter production.

Correct me in the comment section if I am wrong, but I think that’s the case for anyone with a Dual Motor/Performance Model 3 on order in Canada.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Tesla is focusing on sales in the US during the second half of the year in order to maximize the number of people who get access to the full $7,500 federal tax credit since they have confirmed to have hit the threshold initiating the phase-out period.

Nonetheless, I placed my order and paid the additional $2,500 deposit. I’d like to start seeing some progress a month into the order (and 2 years in the reservation process).

As for customers getting their Performance and Dual Motors Model 3’s, let us know about your experience. We are especially interested in the drive experience, which we tested but in less than ideal conditions, and the efficiency and range of the cars following Tesla’s advertised range approach.