Since Tesla announced the Model 3 as its most affordable and consumer-friendly electric vehicle to date, sales have skyrocketed. Many people are becoming more savvy to the world of electric vehicles in which Tesla is currently a titan. For those interested in potentially purchasing a Model 3 of their own, here is a detailed breakdown of everything to know beforehand.

Tesla's Model 3 sedan began a limited production midway through 2017 and began officially launching its first vehicles (albeit a small fleet) at the end of July that same year. Since that first delivery, the Model 3 has quickly become the world's best selling electric vehicle to date. As of today, over 500,000 Model 3s occupy roads around the globe.

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The best advice for prospective Model 3 owners first and foremost is to do the research. Tesla's website offers all the details, features, and general pricing one needs to know before moving forward in building their own custom EV. Additionally, there's an estimated time-frame on how long it might take to have that Tesla delivered. Anyone who visits the site will see that like many vehicles, there is a plethora of features, customizations, and added costs, to give each customer an ideal Tesla. First let's breakdown the specs by performance then outline the available add-ons.

Breaking Down Tesla's Model 3

EV Specifications

Tesla's Model 3 comes in three different performance options: Standard Range Plus (one rear-wheel drive motor), Long Range (dual all-wheel drive motor focused on maximum range), and Performance (dual AWD motor focused on top speed). These options range from a purchase price of $37,990 up to $54,990 without any added features. The image above displays how each variation of the Model 3 varies in performance. It should help potential customers decide what version works best for them, whether it's price, mile range, or pure speed. With the highest top speed and second best range of the three, the dual-motor Performance Model 3 offers the best of both worlds, but at a much higher price point than the other two options.

Once you've figured out what motor(s) work best, there are some added costs a first-time buyer might not expect, when comparing the purchase to other dealership interactions. First is the exterior color - white comes standard, but any other option is an additional $1,000, and red will add an additional $2,00 to the price. Furthermore, 18-inch wheels are again the included standard, but if someone wants to upgrade to 19-inch sport wheels, that's another $1,500. With that said, the Performance Model 3 comes with 20-inch performance wheels included. Moving inward, the standard black interior is included, but a black and white interior (recommended by Tesla for its "premium materials") potentially adds another $1,000 to the bill.

An all-important feature in today's growing world of technological autonomy is autopilot. It comes standard on all versions of the Model 3, but in order to have full self-driving capabilities, Tesla charges an additional $8,000. This is an important feature to consider as some states do not yet allow drivers to use full self-driving capabilities. If someone decides to forego this feature, the capability can be added to the vehicle after it's been delivered, but Tesla warns the upgrade might be more expensive in the future. For perspective, the Model 3 options with all added features begin with a purchase price of $49,990 and can inflate to as high as $65,990. However, many states like California offer incentives for electric vehicle purchases. Tesla also includes the estimated price one would save on gas while driving an electric vehicle over six years. Whether you want to keep it simple or splurge for a Model 3 with all the bells and whistles, there seems to be a Tesla option available for everyone, who has a minimum of $40,000 to spend.

More: Tesla Car Prices In 2020: How Much Model S, 3, X, & Y Cost

Source: Tesla