More Fast Charging Stations Needed

A test drive of the Tesla Model 3 Long Range offers insights into why the “ground up” electric car builder has such a die-hard following.

- Tony Davis

The Tesla brand has had a strange relationship with Singapore, with controversial company head Elon Musk once accusing the city-state of being hostile to electric cars. Teslas have come in through parallel importers, but there are now signs that the American company is changing its attitude, and preparing to set up an official sales and service network here.

Tesla has built up an almost cult-like following around the world and been largely responsible for the international explosion of interest in electric cars. In short, Tesla has made battery-powered cars desirable. It is also a rare example of a successful American car company. Musk likes to boast that there are only two US auto brands in history that haven’t gone broke: his and Henry Ford’s. Every other one has been rescued by the government, or disappeared.

We tested the Long Range variant of the mid-sized Model 3 sedan overseas, driving it from Sydney to the famous Mount Panorama racing circuit in the country town of Bathurst in Australia. The Long Range may not be the obvious choice for tiny Singapore, but rarely having to top up the batteries could be compelling.

The standard version of the Model 3, which is rear-wheel drive, has a 409km range according to the WLTP (or Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure). The Long Range, with two motors and all-wheel drive, can cover 560km in theory. In reality, however, range depends on temperature, topography, driving style, cargo and more.