Tesla releases impressive pictures of Model 3 drive unit after test, Musk says they drove 1M miles

Tesla says that the Model 3 drive system is designed and validated for over one million miles of range.

Today, the automaker released impressive pictures of Model 3 drive units after testing, which Elon Musk says “drove 1M miles”.

We reported just last week that the Tesla Semi is clearing a path for the company’s goal of a one million-mile electric drivetrain.

The electric truck is using Model 3 drive units and it’s putting them to the test through long distance driving and pulling of heavy loads.

In 2015, Musk said that they “want drive units that just never wear out”, resulting in Tesla changing their aim to one million miles in their endurance tests.

“We are very happy with the quality of the drive unit. We changed the goal of the drive unit endurance from being approximately 200,000 miles to being a million miles – just basically we want drive units that just never wear out. That’s our goal. I think we made really good progress in that direction. the drive unit that are going out now and for the last several months have been excellent.”

Now, Tesla released pictures of some Model 3 drive unit gears after testing:

Here is Musk’s initial tweet on the units, including Tesla’s official one million mile claim:

Model 3 motor & gearbox still in good condition after driving 1M miles. Designed for ultra high endurance. https://t.co/LVO2clQZ3V

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 15, 2018

Tesla is producing the Model 3 drive units at the Gigafactory 1 in Nevada.

Electrek’s Take

That’s good news for the long-term value of Model 3.

One thing that I have always suspected about Model 3 is that Tesla designed it for its upcoming self-driving ride-hailing service ‘Tesla network’.

The phone-based access, the cabin-facing camera, and other features like those point to the vehicle being designed around the service.

If that ever becomes a reality, a Model 3 vehicle on the network could become really profitable and more so the longer it can run.

A one million mile drive unit could certainly be helpful on that front.

What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below.