The Tesla Model X is a luxury all-electric, five-door, large SUV, 5 seat passenger vehicle built by Tesla Inc. (6 or 7 seat options are also available)
With its iconic ‘falcon wing’ doors it has been described by Tesla CEO Elon Musk as “.. an incredible vehicle and probably nothing like it will ever be made again and maybe it shouldn’t … But it is a work of art. It’s a special work of art.” (a not so oblique reference to the initial difficulties of building it!)
Sharing the same electric drive train and platform with the Model S, it is currently built only in the USA. US sales began in September 2015 and Australian sales in August 2016.
The Model X is priced as a luxury car and competes indirectly with internal combustion engine vehicles from BMW, Mercedes and Jaguar. It also now has a direct competitor with the introduction of the all-electric Jaguar I-Pace SUV in late 2018.
A particular feature of the Model X is it currently is the only all-electric vehicle with a significant tow rating.
Given it’s been on-sale in Australia since 2016 it’s a definite option for second-hand buying as well as new purchasing.
It’s worth noting that the earlier Model X versions had smaller battery size options but only the 100kW version is now available. (Between late April and mid-July 2019 Tesla again offered a ‘Standard Range’ version of the Model X with a 75kWh battery but this option has again been dropped).
Tesla Model X Variants
| Variant | Battery (kWh) | WLTP Range (km) | EPA Range (km) | Power Output (kW) | Maximum Torque (Nm) | Plug Types (AC/DC) | Max Charge Rate (AC/DC) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model X 75D | 75 | 417 | 350 | 386 | 329 | Type 2(AC) / Tesla SC (DC) | 20/120 | $155,000+ |
| Tesla Model X Long Range | 100 | 580 | 470 | 500 | 335 | Type 2(AC) / Tesla SC (DC) | 20/200 | $155,990+ |
| Tesla Model X Plaid | 100 | 547 | 515 | 760 | 1020 | Type 2(AC) / Tesla SC (DC) | 20/200 | $174,990+ |
Under the old NEDC test cycle still used in Australia – the Model X has a test cycle range of 550 km for the ‘Performance’ and 575 km for the ‘Long Range’ according to the Australian Tesla website.
Real world driving ranges however are generally found to be less than NEDC test cycle figures. For instance, the Long Range version typically has a real-world range in the order of 460km. As an example, the Model X Long Range would, at its limit, make a round-trip from the Melbourne CBD to Stawell in Victoria’s west and back – provided neither the heating or air conditioning were used. For this sort of trip, a 30 min to 1hr top-up AC charge over lunch in Stawell, or a 5 – 10 min DC fast charge along the way at the Ballarat Tesla supercharger site would be recommended.
CHARGING SPEEDS/REQUIREMENTS
Charging port
The Model X is fitted with a modified Type 2 socket that does (depending on EVSE to vehicle communications) single phase AC charging, three phase AC charging or DC fast-charging.
AC charging
The current Model X can charge at a maximum rate of 7.7 kW on single phase AC, or 11kW using 3 phase AC.
Charging speeds vary on the capacity of the EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) it is connected to. Charging times are shown in the table below.
Notes re AC charging for the Model X:
Given the flexibility of the Tesla Wall Connector EVSE and the variety of charging rate options it can be set to (starting from 1.4kW), not all possible charging rates are shown.
DC fast charging
The current Model X can DC fast-charge at up to 120kW at any Tesla supercharger, or with the use of a special adaptor, at CHAdeMO fast-chargers. (In Australia, these are currently limited to a 50kW maximum charge rate).
Notes re DC charging for the Model X:
- The coming Tesla Model 3 being shipped now to Europe (and soon to Australia) is fitted with the common standard CCS2 socket instead of the Tesla modified Type 2 socket. It is also rumoured that the Tesla models S and X will make the change to CCS2 in the not-too-distant future.
- The change to CCS2 by the Model 3 means that an adaptor from Tesla modified Type 2 to CCS2 is soon to come.
- Given there is already a Tesla adaptor available for CHAdeMO fast chargers, with the addition of a CCS2 to modified Type 2 adaptor, Teslas will be able to charge at ANY DC fast-charger!
Tesla Model X Time to Charge (hrs)
| Battery size (kWh) | 10A socket (2.2kW) | 16A 1 phase (3.6kW) | 30A 1 phase (7kW) | 16A 3 phase (11kW) | CCS2 (50kW) | Tesla Supercharger (120kW) | Tesla V3 Supercharger (250kW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75 | 34h | 21h | 11h | 7h | 1h15 (to 80%) | 30m (to 80%) | - |
| 100 | 42h | 28h | 14.25h | 9h | >2h (to 80%) | 40m (to 80%) | 20m (to 80%) |
HOME CHARGING CONSIDERATIONS
General
To get the shortest home charging time for a new Model X, an 11kW, 3 phase AC EVSE would be needed.
However, depending on your existing power supply and/or charging needs, it may only be practicable to fit a lower rated EVSE. (See notes below). Lower capacity EVSEs will increase charging times, as shown in the table.
Tesla Model X Specifications
| Cargo space (litres) | Cargo Space with rear seats folded (litres) | Length (mm) | Width (mm) | Width with mirrors (mm) | Height (mm) | Tow Rating (braked / unbraked) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 187 | 2180 | 5037 | 2070 | 2271 | 1626 | 750/2250 |
