Tesla will be discontinuing the Model S 60 and 60D sedan on April 17, 2017. The announcement made by Tesla via email to Model S customers comes on the heels of a series of discontinuations aimed at maximizing production efficiency.
Tesla confirmed with Teslarati that the current base version of the Model S which is capable of 210 miles to 218 miles of range depending on motor configuration, will be available until mid-April. Both Model S and Model X will share the same battery configurations following next month’s discontinuation of the 60 kWh battery pack, leaving the 75 kWh pack as the entry level battery option.
Tesla’s communication as follows:
“One year ago, we introduced the Model S 60 kWh battery as a more affordable option to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles. However, most customers ended up buying an equivalent to the Model S 75kWh. To simplify the ordering process for our customers, we will be removing the 60 kWh option from our lineup.
Customers who still want the opportunity to own a 60 kWh Model S will have until April 16, 2017 to place their order. Any 60 kWh Model S will have the ability to upgrade their battery to 75 kWh via an over the air update.”
One can also speculate that Tesla is looking to create as much as a gap as possible between a fully optioned Model 3 and the base Model S. By minimizing overlap between two vehicles aimed at very different target audiences, Tesla can minimize potential cannibalization of Model S sales.
Discussion taking place within the Tesla community seem to suggest that Model 3 could be offered with a battery pack up to 75 kWh in capacity, further validating Tesla’s move to discontinue the Model S 60D in order to avoid overlap. Removing the $68,000 base version of the Model S also leaves room for Tesla to set a higher price cap for a fully-optioned Model 3.
Tesla is expected to begin production of Model 3 in July. A silver Model 3 prototype was recently spotted testing on the backlot of SpaceX.
