Record CO2 emissions

There was a reminder of the cars launched to-date (the low-volume Roadster, followed by the premium Model S and Model X SUV) - and a reiteration that the business strategy absolutely relied on the need for premium models to help setup the investment into the mass-market car.



Tesla's family of electric cars (Roadster, Model S, Model X, and a mysterious sheet)

The Model 3 itself is aimed squarely at mass-market, but it's probably the German manufacturers, BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz who might be most worried (in particular the M3, S4 and AMG-lines), as "At Tesla, we don't make slow cars".

The base model should accelerate from 0-60mph in 6 seconds, Autopilot safety features are standard, five adults can sit comfortably, and it's hoped to have a range of at least 200 miles.  Four wheel drive will be an option, and faster models will follow.



Tesla Model 3

Additionally, Tesla is aiming to double the number of super chargers next year, and quadruple the number of destination chargers.

Of course, all-electric vehicles provide pollution-free local air, so they're terrific for the local air environment (in some cities, including London, 1000's of people die prematurely from air pollution).  But, whilst the grid electricity still relies on fossil fuels, there is still an 'elephant in the room' - the carbon emissions caused by power generation.  The good news is of course, renewables as a percentage of generation are continuing to grow, and with the growth of energy storage (partly due to Tesla's Powerwall), we are able to use it more efficiently.

Finally, when it comes to the ability to produce all the batteries required in the Model 3, it's reassuring to see that the Gigafactory is coming along nicely - it will "produce more lithium-ion batteries than all other locations put together" - and "it's operational today".


Gigafactory - the largest building footprint in the world

Deliveries start in 2017, with prices from $35,000 USD.

You can watch the launch event at https://model3.tesla.com/.

All images / screenshots © Tesla Motors