The electric vehicle landscape in Australia has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past decade and a half. What began as an ultra-premium, niche market accessible only to the wealthiest early adopters has rapidly evolved into a mainstream movement. At the centre of this revolution is Tesla. The brand’s journey Down Under is a fascinating study in technological democratisation, supply chain economics, and shifting consumer demand.
Today, as we see the cheapest used Tesla Model 3s hitting the second-hand market at remarkably accessible price points, it is the perfect time to look back at how we got here. From the original six-figure Roadster to the volatile pricing of the pandemic era, this is the complete history of Tesla prices in Australia — and a guide to finding the best value on the used market today.
The Early Days: The $200,000+ Tesla Roadster
Long before the Model 3 became a common sight on Australian roads, Tesla was a boutique Californian startup with a single, highly exclusive product: the Tesla Roadster. Based on a Lotus Elise chassis, the first-generation Roadster was designed to prove that electric cars could be fast, desirable, and genuinely exciting.
The very first Tesla to arrive in Australia was a left-hand-drive Roadster V1.0, imported privately in 2008 by tech entrepreneur Simon Hackett. While this specific vehicle was not road-legal for everyday use, it set the stage for what was to come. When the road-legal right-hand-drive Tesla Roadster Sport officially went on sale in Australia in 2011, it carried a staggering starting price of $206,188 before on-road costs.
With only around 2,500 units produced globally between 2008 and 2011, the Roadster remains an ultra-rare collector’s item. In fact, a pristine 2011 Roadster Sport with just 23,000 kilometres on the odometer was listed for sale in Australia in 2023 with an asking price of $349,000. In these early days, owning a Tesla was a luxury reserved for a select few.
The Luxury Era: Model S and Model X
Tesla’s transition from a niche sports car manufacturer to a serious luxury automaker began with the Model S sedan. The Model S officially launched in Australia in December 2014, bringing a blend of long-range capability, cutting-edge technology, and premium comfort. At launch, the entry-level Model S carried a starting price of approximately $97,245 (including the Luxury Car Tax), while performance variants quickly pushed past the $150,000 mark. By 2015, the price range for a new Model S spanned from $96,208 for the base model up to $181,487 for the top-tier performance specification.
This was followed by the highly anticipated Model X SUV, famous for its dramatic ‘falcon-wing’ doors. Making its Australian debut in late 2016, the Model X was positioned even higher up the luxury ladder. Launch pricing started at $111,900 for the base 60D variant, while the flagship P100D commanded an eye-watering $238,806 plus on-road costs — with some fully optioned examples reaching as high as $272,000. While the Model S and Model X proved that electric vehicles could serve as practical, long-range family cars, their six-figure price tags meant they remained out of reach for the average Australian driver.
The Mass Market Revolution: Model 3 and Model Y
The true turning point for Tesla — and the broader Australian EV market — arrived in 2019 with the launch of the Model 3. Designed as a high-volume, mass-market vehicle, the Model 3 promised to bring Tesla’s technology to a much wider audience. When order books opened in May 2019, the entry-level Model 3 Standard Range Plus was priced at $66,000 before on-road costs — a masterstroke that undercut traditional European luxury sedans and made the dream of Tesla ownership a reality for thousands of Australians.
The success of the Model 3 was followed by the Model Y mid-size SUV in 2022. Launching with a starting price of $68,900, the Model Y quickly became not just the best-selling electric vehicle in the country, but one of the best-selling cars overall, frequently topping the monthly sales charts. The surge in EV adoption driven by rising fuel prices has only accelerated this trend.
The COVID Price Rollercoaster
While the Model 3 was designed to be affordable, its pricing history in Australia has been anything but stable. The global supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with soaring demand and fluctuating exchange rates, led to a period of unprecedented price volatility. During the peak of the supply crunch in July 2020, the entry-level price surged to $73,900. However, as supply chains normalised and production efficiencies at Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory improved, prices began a steady downward trajectory.
| Date | Model 3 RWD Base Price | Movement |
|---|---|---|
| July 2019 (Launch) | $66,000 | Launch price |
| July 2020 | $73,900 | Peak pandemic pricing (+8.8%) |
| April 2021 | $62,900 | Supply chains ease (−6.0%) |
| March 2022 | $63,900 | Minor adjustment (+1.7%) |
| June 2022 | $65,500 | Inflation adjustment (+2.5%) |
| July 2023 | $57,400 | Significant price cut (−12.4%) |
| April 2024 | $58,900 | Competitive repositioning |
| 2025/2026 (current) | ~$54,900 | Continued market pressure |
The Used Market Today: Finding the Cheapest Second-Hand Tesla
The combination of aggressive price cuts on new models and a growing supply of vehicles coming off their initial leases has created a genuine buyer’s market for second-hand electric vehicles. For those looking to make the switch to electric driving on a budget, the used Tesla market currently offers unprecedented value.
According to industry analytics, the median listing price for a used Tesla Model 3 plummeted from $65,990 in January 2023 to just $46,705 by the end of 2024. This rapid depreciation curve has opened the door for bargain hunters. Today, it is entirely possible to find early 2019 and 2020 Model 3 Standard Range Plus vehicles listed for under $30,000. In fact, some high-kilometre examples have recently hit the market at just over $25,000. Considering these vehicles originally cost upwards of $73,000 drive-away, they represent a remarkable entry point into the Tesla ecosystem.
When shopping for a used Model 3 in this price bracket, buyers will typically be looking at vehicles with over 100,000 kilometres on the odometer. These early models feature a 54kWh Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt (NMC) battery pack, which originally offered around 400 kilometres of range. While some battery degradation is to be expected, real-world data shows that Tesla batteries hold up exceptionally well over time, often retaining over 85 per cent of their original capacity after 150,000 kilometres. If you are new to electric vehicles, understanding battery health is one of the most important factors to research before purchasing.
What to Consider When Buying a Used Tesla
If you are tempted by the prospect of a $30,000 Tesla, there are a few key factors to keep in mind. First, consider the battery chemistry: models built from 2021 onwards switched to Lithium-Iron-Phosphate (LFP) batteries, which are highly durable and can be routinely charged to 100 per cent without accelerating degradation. Second, think about hardware upgrades: a 2021 model will feature a heat pump for improved cold-weather efficiency, a power tailgate, and updated interior trims compared to a 2019 model. Finally, check the warranty status: Tesla provides an 8-year or 160,000km warranty on the battery and drive unit for the Standard Range Model 3, so an older, high-kilometre example may be outside this coverage period.
For those who want to understand the full range of affordable EVs arriving in Australia, the used Tesla market is just one piece of a much larger and increasingly accessible puzzle. With government incentives continuing to evolve, both new and used electric vehicles are becoming more financially attractive than ever before.
Experience the Evolution: Try Before You Buy on evee
The journey from a $206,000 niche sports car to a $25,000 accessible daily driver highlights just how far the electric vehicle market has come in Australia. Whether you are considering purchasing a brand-new Model Y or hunting for a bargain on a second-hand Model 3, there has never been a better time to embrace electric mobility.
However, transitioning to an EV is a significant decision, and reading about specifications and price histories can only tell you so much. The best way to understand how a Tesla fits into your lifestyle is to experience it firsthand. At evee, Australia’s largest peer-to-peer EV sharing platform, you can rent a Tesla directly from passionate local owners. Whether you want to test the range of an older Model 3 before buying one on the used market, or you want to experience the premium comfort of a Model X for a weekend getaway, renting through evee provides the perfect, pressure-free environment to try before you buy.
⚡ Ready to experience the electric revolution for yourself? Find your perfect EV on evee today and drive the future, today.
