The first Tesla Model X deliveries will begin next month, Model 3 to be shown early 2016

By Miles Branman August 6, 2015

tesla model x 2012 — Model X Prototype Image used with permission by copyright holder

It seems like ages ago that Tesla introduced the concept version of its Model X crossover … and it kind of was. At the Geneva Motor Show in 2012, the automotive world was shown a gull-winged electric crossover and promised production would happen in 2014.

Multiple delays later, the first deliveries of the Tesla Model X (gullwing rear doors and all) will take place in September. Tesla has been producing “release candidate” Model X bodies in its new body shop (which is equipped with 500 robots) and has just conducted a one-week plant shutdown at its Fremont factory to accommodate the shared use of the general assembly line for both the Model S and Model X. Pricing for the Model X is not clear, but its presumed to be somewhere around the Model S’s $69,900 starting figure.

As for the highly anticipated Model 3, Tesla will reportedly reveal the production version in the first quarter of 2016 before deliveries begin in late 2017. Yes, that’s a good chunk of time for interested consumers to grow impatient.

Also mentioned within Tesla’s second quarter 2015 shareholder letter, the electric automaker produced 12,807 vehicles in Q2 of this year, which surpassed expectations and set a record for Tesla. 11,532 of those vehicles were delivered.

The company also “recognized revenue of $20 million” from its new used-car sales program. Revenue was up nearly 40 percent from a year ago, to $1.2 billion for this past quarter. However, as has been the case since the beginning, Tesla operated at a net loss from working through $184 million in research, development, and construction expenses.

Tesla’s greatest hope is that the Model 3 will open the brand to a massive set of new customers and will bring the automaker to profitability, but continuing costs related to development of the supercharger network, infrastructure build-out, and battery testing stand between Tesla and positive cash flow.

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The new Model S "standard range" vehicles cost $78,490 and offer a range of up to 320 miles (515 kilometers), which is considerably shorter than the pricier regular dual-motor and tri-motor Plaid versions that feature a range of 405 miles and 396 miles, respectively, Reuters reported.

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EVs of all shapes and sizes are finally coming, but not in equal measure. While we now have a solid array of midsize crossovers (like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6), sedans and SUVs aren't quite there yet. Sure, we have expensive sedans and SUVs, like the Rivian R1S and the Lucid Air, but if you're looking for a car for your small family and don't want, or can't afford, to spend a ton of cash, your options are limited.

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A Tesla Model 3 electric car.

One of the big promises of electric vehicles is that they require less maintenance than a gasoline-powered car, and thus cost less over time. That’s largely because EVs have a whole lot fewer moving parts. When you don't have an engine, you don't have to worry about oil changes, spark plugs, or exhaust systems, to name just a few examples.

The Tesla Model 3 is no different in that regard. While Tesla cars notoriously suffer from issues like panel gaps and other factory defects, Tesla covers these repairs under warranty, as long as you buy the car from Tesla itself. After that, there are few costs associated with maintenance at all. Here’s a rundown of the maintenance costs you can expect as a Tesla Model 3 owner.
Tesla Model 3 maintenance