Tesla had previously said the automaker’s Model Y compact crossover would ride on an all-new platform, however Elon Musk has now revealed it will share its architecture with the Model 3 sedan.
Speaking to journalists during Tesla’s Q2 earnings call, Musk revealed the Model Y will share a platform with the recently launched Model 3. It seems as though engineers with more experience in the automotive industry talked him out of the all-new platform as it would have delayed the Model Y’s arrival and would have been too expensive.
“Upon the counsel of my executive team to reel me back from the cliffs of insanity, the Model Y will, in fact, be using substantial carry over from Model 3 in order to bring it to market faster,” Musk said.
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Musk also shared information on the Model Y’s 12-volt electrical system, or rather its lack thereof. Tesla (and other automakers) still use a 12-volt electrical system with lead-acid batteries to power onboard systems such as the electronic door locks, for example. The Model Y will use a different type of electrical system (perhaps a 48-volt setup), which will allow for a shorter wiring harness to be used and will simplify the production process.
The Model Y is expected to debut sometime in late 2019 as a 2020 model year vehicle. Musk believes its arrival could help push its sales past 1 million units a year. It delivered just under 84,000 vehicles in 2016.
[Source: Business Insider via InsideEVs]
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