Tesla Unveils Model 3 Sedan, Expects 2017 Release Date

Tesla Motors unveiled its Model 3 electric sedan at the company’s factory in Fremont, Calif., Thursday night.

Tesla Model 3

Tesla CEO Elon Musk took to the stage alongside the highly anticipated sedan to provide some details about the more affordable Tesla vehicle. According to Musk, the Model 3, priced at $35,000, will seat five and get at least 215 miles per charge. Additionally, it will hit the highest safety marks, while getting from zero to 60 miles per hour in less than six seconds.

The Model S sedan, which starts at $71,000, and the Model X SUV, which starts at around $80,000, have made Tesla a known brand, and brought in the money that has allowed Tesla to move forward with its plans for a less expensive car. The hope is that the Model 3 will make Tesla less of a niche brand and bring it more into the mainstream of electric autos.

Musk wants to have the Model 3 available for purchase by sometime in 2017 – though he’s not making any promises.

“I feel confident [deliveries] will begin next year,” Musk said.

Those eager to get behind the wheel of a Model 3 are hoping that Tesla is able to get the Model 3 out on time – unlike the Model X SUV, which was two years late to the market. Already, there are more that 130,000 people who’ve already reserved a Model 3