REDD — Picking Up Our New Tesla Model Y

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REDD, the name for our new Tesla Model Y (Standard Range ’26 build, ’27 model), was inspired by the movie of the same name – Retired, Extremely Dangerous Drivers (the wife and I, of course). As mentioned previously, there is nothing wrong with our beloved 2019 Model 3. It is our bodies that are aging and less able to get in and out of our beloved little sporty Tess. So it was with mixed feelings that we arrived at the Tesla delivery centre to pick up the new car.

As always, it was a hive of activity, with deliveries taking place all around us. Quite a contrast to 7 years ago when Tesla was operating out of one cramped delivery spot near the centre of Brisbane, and the handover took less than 3 minutes. This time there were plenty of sales representatives spending their time and making sure we knew what we were doing.

On arrival, we walked past a line consisting of ICE cars being surrendered as trade-ins for an electric. As we left, a car carrier was unloading half a dozen new Model Ys. All in all, a smooth operation. While Majella was getting her phone synced and lots of information from the sales rep, I had a wander around.

The delivery centre is divided in two by a screen. On our side of the screen, I could see at least 60 new cars anxiously awaiting their new owners — like puppies at the pound, I thought. I wasn’t allowed behind the curtain where cars were being detailed and prepped. I commented to our sales rep that there didn’t seem to be many Model 3s. He told me that they had just received a Model Y shipment; the 3s were on their way. Asked about what lay behind the curtain in Tesla wonderland, he said that there were hundreds of cars “back there.”

Majella drove REDD home and I drove Tess. I am having mixed feelings. I get attached to my cars; it was difficult to sell George (my ‘64 Wolseley) and Ruby (my Hyundai Accent). But they were old and tired and their time had come. Tess, at 180,000+ kilometres still feels young. It’s me that’s getting old. The letting go is being made easier because we are selling Tess to our youngest daughter. So, we will still be in contact with the car and watch the milestones as she grows.

As we sipped our celebratory champagne, I mused at the difference between buying the Model Y in 2026 and the Model 3 in 2019. Going from the Hyundai to the Tesla was a massive leap in both design and technology — the screen, the regen braking. Our Tesla was the only one in our suburb, and there was no high-speed charging. Electric vehicles were seen as a “soon to pass” fad on the way to hydrogen cars, and a stupid decision in a country as big as Australia. In 2019, less than one percent of new cars sold had a plug, Tesla was still on a deathwatch. We had taken a risk — would it work out?

It certainly has! Owning Tess and dealing with FUD gave me a cause to champion. I started exploring this new world and writing about it — driving long trips and proving that an EV can do what it has to. CleanTechnica published my ramblings — which have now reached over 1,000 articles. People contacted me and shared their stories of private ownership. CEOs of new startups (like recently introduced Thermal Dawn) gave me interviews and insights. This might sound weird, but moving from the Model 3 to the Model Y is nowhere near as exciting. Yes, I will continue to write, but the motoring world has changed. In Australia, the Model Y has been the highest selling passenger car of all drivetrains for the past few months. In October, it even beat the refreshed Toyota RAV4. My northern Brisbane suburb is full of Tesla Model Ys. The crossover has become common.

Motoring journalists are learning slowly to accept the new kids on the block, and most of their reviews seem to indicate a modicum of tolerance and truth. Of course, we still have vested interests proclaiming that Chinese cars are destroying the Australian car industry. Read: dealerships can’t sell ICE cars and aren’t making enough money. I wonder sometimes what there will be left write about as plugins take more and more of the market, and “real” motoring journalists write the articles I normally write. Relax, I am sure there will be room for all of us for some time. Especially in the USA!

Calls continue for more charging infrastructure, which is fair enough for highway and tourist travel, but seems to totally ignore home charging. “I live in a remote town and there is nowhere to charge my car!” wails one. I could scream if he would hear me: plug it into your house power socket, you moron!

Tess sits in the carport plugged into our home battery. Majella has taken REDD to her gem club. I am sure that instead of their normal lapidary, faceting, and jewellery making, they will be exploring REDD. Four other members of the club have now got Teslas or BYDs. One of them commented that they want a Model Y for Christmas — not sure if his wife will agree.

REDD will also be the guest of honour at our upcoming Coffee, Cake, and EV morning tea in a few days’ time.

Once we have done the roadworthy and registration transfer, Tess will be off to her new home. We will get to see her at family gatherings and when we pick up the grandkidlets from school. Majella is busy buying the accessories — mats, ceiling screen (no, the new heavy tint doesn’t do much in the Australian sun), rim protectors, etc. REDD came with front and back floor mats. She is buying all-weather mats for the frunk and trunk. The dog may even get to sit in the car! Shock! Horror! And we are slowly noticing subtle differences, like the reduction in noise driving on the highway — REDD has better seals and double-glazed windows.

We may have lost some of the apps that came free with Tess (Spotify, Karaoke, connectivity), but we have gained cooling seats and a heated steering wheel. And, of course, Hardware 4, which will give us access to FSD (Supervised) for our long trips. Speaking of longer trips, the range of our Model 3 (about 300 km with some degradation) pales beside the 460 km range of the LFP batteries in REDD. LFP batteries also mean less anxiety about charging to 100% when needed. REDD is longer, wider, and taller, but, thank goodness, still fits in our garage.

Majella is missing Enhanced Autopilot, for which we paid AU$5,000 just a few years ago. The Model Y’s cruise control is not as convenient. Stay tuned for updates as we enter the next leg of our electric journey.