The Tesla Model X Electric SUV: The Complete Guide For India

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Electric Cars: The Basics

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For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:

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The Tesla Model X Electric SUV

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Tesla Inc. (formerly Tesla Motors Inc.) is a US based electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer with the following portfolio of electric vehicles:

• All-electric Tesla Model X
• All-electric Tesla Model S
• All-electric Tesla Model Y
• All-electric Tesla Model 3
• All-electric Tesla Roadster
• All-electric Tesla Cybertruck

The Model X prototype was unveiled in 2012. The all-electric family SUV with its Falcon wing doors has certainly contributed to Tesla’s cache. The Model X was designed from the Model S platform and still retains much in common with the Model S. The Model X deliveries commenced in late 2015. 

Like other Tesla electric cars, the Model X has also claimed its fair share of awards. In 2017, Forbes named the zero tailpipe emission SUV the ‘Best Vehicle of the Year’.  In the same year the Model X was also awarded the ‘Top Green Vehicle’ by the American Automobile Association.

The Model X SUV also holds the unique distinction of achieving a Guinness World Record for the ‘heaviest tow by an electric production passenger vehicle’. In 2018, the zero-emission electric vehicle (EV) towed a Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

The Tesla Model X electric SUV is available in two variants: the entry-level Tesla Model X and the Model X Plaid. The entry-level is a dual motor all-wheel drive (AWD), while the Plaid is a Tri motor all-wheel drive (AWD).

In terms of pure electric range, neither of the variants disappoint. The entry-level variant has a claimed zero-emission electric range up to 580 km (WLTP), while the Plaid has a range up to 528 km (WLTP).

Even adjusting for real-world driving conditions, the range for the Model X is impressive. For the entry level, expect a real-world electric range closer to 495 km. For the Plaid, a pure electric range up to 450 km is more realistic. For those new to electric driving, a number of factors impact the EV range. Some of these include: road conditions, speed, weather, payload, passenger load, tyre size, driving profile and more!

Tesla owners benefit from the Tesla Supercharger network. In fact, Tesla owns and operates the largest fast charging network globally (35,000+ globally). Tesla claims that Superchargers can add up to 277 km of electric range in just 15 minutes. The Superchargers offers a maximum DC charging rate up to 250 kW. For single-phase (7.4 kW) EV charging at home, the EV will take up to 15 hours to fully charge.

We at e-zoomed encourage using a dedicated single-phase residential EV charger like myenergi zappi for charging at home. Though electric cars can be charged via a domestic 3-PIN plug, we at e-zoomed do not encourage using a domestic plug for charging an electric car.

In terms of performance, the entry-level dual motor all-wheel drive Model X can achieve 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, with a top speed up to 250 km/h. The Tri motor all-wheel drive Tesla Model X Plaid can achieve 0-100 km/h in 2.5 seconds, with a top speed up to 262 km/h. Really impressive performance given the additional weight of the onboard EV battery. Of course, the Tesla electric car also benefits from instant torque.

The interior of the electric car is designed for minimalism and space. The EV includes a 17 inch touchscreen display and a number of advanced features, either available as standard or an additional option. Some of these include: all-glass roof, 360 degrees rear, side and forward-facing cameras, Tesla Vision (detects nearby cars, helps prevent potential collisions and assists with parking), Tesla Autopilot, summon, smart summon, auto park, auto lane change and more.

The EV is practical and offers up to 7 seats. The boot size is up to 2,180 L with the rear seats folded. The electric car also has a ‘frunk’ under the bonnet (187 L). Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet!

The Tesla Model X electric SUV is not available in India.

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PROS	CONS
Excellent EV range and access to Supercharger network	Expensive. Cheaper pure electric alternatives available
Powerful and fast electric performance	Build quality issues
Excellent interior space and easy access to rear seats	Full Self-Driving option not cheap

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The All-Electric Tesla Model X SUV (credit:Tesla)

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At A Glance
EV Type:	Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV)
Body Type:	SUV
Engine:	Electric
Available In India:	No

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Trims (1 Option)
Tesla Model X (Rs N/A)

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EV Battery & Emissions
EV Battery Type:	Lithium-ion
EV Battery Capacity:	Available in one battery size: 95 kWh
Charging:	Up to 250 kW DC Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 30 mins). Onboard charger 16.5 kW AC (3-Phase)
Charge Port:	Type 2
EV Cable Type:	Type 2
Tailpipe Emissions:	0g (CO2/km)
Battery Warranty:	8 years or 190,000 km

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Charging Times (Overview)
Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW):	6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC)
Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW):	3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging AC (43 kW):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging DC (50 kW+):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Ultra rapid charging DC (150 kW+):	0-80% : 20 mins to 40 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Tesla Supercharger (120 kW – 250 kW):	0-80%: up to 25 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)

• Note 1: SoC: state of charge

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Dimensions
Height (mm):	1684
Width (mm):	1999
Length (mm):	5036
Wheelbase (mm):	2965
Turning Circle (m):	12.44
Boot Space (L):	2,180 (rear-seats down)

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Tesla Model X
EV Battery Capacity:	95 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	580 km
Electric Energy Consumption (Wh/km):	N/A
Charging:	Up to 250 kW DC Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 30 mins). Onboard charger 16.5 kW AC (3-Phase)
Top Speed:	250 km/h
0-100 km/h:	3.8 seconds
Drive:	All-wheel drive (AWD)
Electric Motor (kW):	500
Max Power (hp):	670
Torque (Nm):	N/A
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	Up to 7
Doors:	5
Weight (kg):	2,352
Colours:	5
NCAP Safety Rating:	Five-Star

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Tesla Model X Plaid
EV Battery Capacity:	95 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	528 km
Electric Energy Consumption (Wh/km):	N/A
Charging:	Up to 250 kW DC Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 30 mins). Onboard charger 16.5 kW AC (3-Phase)
Top Speed:	262 km/h
0-100 km/h:	2.5 seconds
Drive:	All-wheel drive (AWD)
Electric Motor (kW):	760
Max Power (hp):	1,020
Torque (Nm):	N/A
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	7
Doors:	5
Weight (kg):	2,250
Colours:	5
NCAP Safety Rating:	Five-Star

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India Electric Vehicle (EV) Market

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India, like many other countries, is well positioned to benefit from the shift to zero-tailpipe emission electric driving. Road transportation is a major contributor to air pollution (over 30%), choking our towns, cities and villages across India.

Diesel vehicles, in particular, diesel trucks and diesel buses, are significant sources for tailpipe emissions. But given the rise in the standard of living, since liberalisation, the demand for privately owned passenger cars has increased at an unprecedented pace, further worsening the air quality. India has more than 3 crores (30 million) cars releasing tailpipe emissions on its roads!

Though we have seen some improvements in air quality during the ongoing pandemic (as a result of lower vehicle traffic), India’s shift to electric driving will be key in achieving long-term higher air quality.

Of course, apart from EVs, the continued development of green and renewable energy infrastructure will be key in achieving lower long-term air pollution. India has already demonstrated global leadership in regards to large-scale solar and wind projects! Hopefully, India will replicate the success with zero-emission electric vehicles.

Despite recent announcements and support from local and national government agencies in India, the EV market is still at a nascent stage, well, at least in terms of electric cars and electric vans. Two-wheel electric scooters and three-wheel electric rickshaws (e-rickshaws) have demonstrated a strong uptake, and India is poised to become a global leader in electric scooters and electric rickshaws (e-tuk).

In fact, the ubiquitous e-rickshaw commands an impressive 83% of the Indian electric vehicle market. India currently has over 15 lakhs (1.5 million) e-rickshaws, with each EV playing a role in reducing tailpipe emissions on our roads in India.

Sales of passenger electric cars is still at an early stage. In FY2021, though the market witnessed a growth of nearly 110% from the previous year, the absolute volume of cars sold was only 5,905 electric cars. Currently there are less that 15 pure electric car models available on sale in India.

Tata Motors, the biggest automotive manufacturer in India has launched the Tata Nexon electric SUV. Mahindra Electric, another leading Indian automotive manufacturer, has also launched a number of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs), to include, the Mahindra eVerito electric car, Mahindra eSupro electric van and Mahindra e2o Plus compact electric car.

International manufacturers, like UK based MG Motors, have also launched the MG ZS electric SUV in India. Also available are the all-electric Jaguar I-PACE SUV and the Hyundai Kona electric SUV.

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Global Electric Vehicle (EV) Market

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Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), more commonly referred to simply as, electric vehicles (EVs) or as plug-in electric cars, have come a long way over the past decade and certainly a long way over the past 100 years.

Electric vehicles came into prominence in the early 1900’s, a time when horse-drawn carriages were the primary mode of transportation.  Archived black and white photographs from that period show famous avenues like Madison Avenue in New York city filled with horse-drawn carriages.  In stark contrast, a similar photograph taken a decade later of Madison Avenue showed not a single horse-drawn carriage.  Instead the avenue was filled with motor vehicles, a new invention at that time. 

We are now witnessing a similar fundamental shift in road transportation, as polluting internal combustion engines (ICE) petrol and diesel vehicles are being replaced by low-emission and zero-emission electric vehicles. In countries like the United Kingdom, a leader in e-mobility, we can expect a comprehensive replacement of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 (UK will ban the sale of new ICE cars in 2030). The UK is not the only country that has a vision of a mass transition to zero-tailpipe emission electric cars.

Since 2011, the global electric vehicle (EV) market has increased at a year-over-year growth rate of over 50%. In 2020, according to the Global EV Outlook 2021 report, the global stock of electric vehicles (EVs) had surpassed 10 million units.

In 2015, the Global stock was just over 1 million units. In 2020, Europe accounted for the largest share of new car registrations of EVs (1.4 million registered electric vehicles), followed by China (1.2 million electric vehicles). In Europe, countries like Norway, Iceland and Sweden continue to show strong leadership in the transition to electric driving. In Norway more than 75% of new cars are electric, followed by 50% in Iceland and 30% in Sweden.

However, this is not just a western phenomenon. A number of countries across the world have announced their support for electric cars, to include India. Pure electric cars are now common sightings in a number of global markets, and EV automotive manufacturers, like California based Tesla Motors are now household brands.

Traditional automotive manufactures have also shown significant commitment to the migration to electric engines, to include Volvo Cars, the Volkswagen Group, Renault, Nissan, Peugeot, Hyundai, Mercedes, Land Rover and many more. Forecast for the sale of EVs suggest up to 30 million electric vehicles to be sold before the end of the current decade.

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While e-zoomed uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some of the information provided is gathered from third parties and has not been independently verified by e-zoomed. While the information from the third party sources is believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made by e-zoomed regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of this information.

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