Source: Tesla

Tesla has moved closer to launching an affordable Model 3 in China after the vehicle appeared in official regulatory filings on January 13, 2026, confirming long-standing expectations of a lower-priced variant aimed at the country’s mass electric sedan segment.

The new variant is listed as Tesla Model 3 Standard and is positioned below the Premium Rear-Wheel Drive and Long-Range All-Wheel Drive versions currently sold in China. It is designed to compete in the 150,000–200,000 CNY price band, where domestic manufacturers dominate volume.

Source: MIIT

The filing confirms a 52.9 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery paired with a single rear-mounted motor in a rear-wheel-drive configuration. The CLTC-rated driving range is 480 km (298 miles), a notable reduction from the 634 km (394 miles) rating of the current entry-level Model 3 in China.

Based on typical CLTC-to-real-world conversion, usable range is expected to fall between 400 and 440 km (249–273 miles), which aligns with urban commuting and short intercity travel rather than long-distance use. The battery supplier is not disclosed, though LFP chemistry is specified.

The low-cost M3 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 193 km/h (120 mph). Curb weight is listed at 1,614 kg, around 30 kg lighter than the current rear-wheel-drive Model 3, reflecting the smaller battery and simplified equipment.

Cost reduction is most evident in the interior. The model removes rear seat heating, front seat ventilation, a rear passenger display, ambient lighting, upgraded seat materials, independent rear climate controls, and premium audio hardware. Speaker count is reduced from nine to seven, with no subwoofer or amplifier upgrade.

Source: Tesla

Despite these changes, Tesla retains its core safety architecture and standard driver assistance functions. Autopilot Basic remains standard, covering automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance. The central touchscreen and over-the-air software update capability are unchanged.

Externally, the vehicle remains visually consistent with higher-trim Model 3 versions. Differences are limited to wheel design and minor trim details, with standard 18-inch wheels fitted.

China pricing has not been announced. U.S. pricing provides a reference point, where the price gap between the standard rear-wheel-drive Model 3 and its lower-cost counterpart is USD 5,500. Applying a similar adjustment suggests a China price below 200,000 CNY ($28,600).

At this price level, the vehicle would sit alongside models such as the BYD (HKG:1211) Seal Glory Edition and XPeng (NYSE:XPEV) P7i, which typically offer longer rated range and more interior features. Tesla’s strategy relies instead on powertrain efficiency, handling characteristics, software integration, and access to its proprietary charging network.

Conversion rate: 1 USD = 6.982 CNY as of January 13, 2026