October 07, 2025 by Jamie Edkins
Tesla has announced that a new model will be revealed on 7 October, and it’s likely to be a stripped-down, cheaper version of the Model Y. Here’s everything we know so far.
The story of Tesla’s affordable electric car is a long and complicated one. A few years ago it was rumoured to be a new standalone model, then there was talk of it being scrapped in favour of the self-driving Cybercab, but all the speculation could be about to end.
It looks like Tesla will finally reveal this new electric car on 7 October, which could cost less than £25,000. We’re expecting to see a more basic version of the Tesla Model Y, with fabric seats, no front light bar, fewer speakers and a non-power tailgate.
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It’s a good question, because Tesla’s affordable EV has been shrouded in mystery for years now. A few years ago it looked like it would be an all-new model, with a few leaked design drawings seeming to show us what it would look like.
With hindsight, these were likely to be sketches of the Cybercab; Tesla’s new self-driving robotaxi. When that car was revealed last year, word spread that the affordable EV would be scrapped after Elon Musk referred to it as “pointless”.
Shortly after this the rumour mill was fired up again, this time with speculation that the affordable EV would in fact be a stripped-back version of the Model Y SUV. New teaser images posted to X seem to show that this will be the case.
This darkened silhouette appears to show similar, sleek headlights to the Model Y, only without the light bar across the bonnet.
pic.twitter.com/WscJ610E7n
— Tesla (@Tesla) October 6, 2025

Reports from Chinese social media suggest that this de-contented Model Y could do without ventilated leather seats, a power tailgate, the full-length glass roof and a few interior speakers – all in the name of keeping costs down.
It may also have a smaller 55kWh battery, as opposed to the 75kWh pack you get in the current Model Y. Some quick maths yields an estimated range of around 280 miles if this is the case, which is around 30 miles less than the current cheapest Model Y.
While we can’t say for certain, Tesla has been promising a “sub-$30,000” electric car for years, and that translates to around £25,000. It’s unlikely to actually be this cheap when it comes to the UK thanks to import costs, but it may still cost around £30,000.
That would make it £10,000 cheaper than a Tesla Model 3, £15,000 less than the current Model Y and around the same as a Skoda Elroq.
All will be revealed over the next few days, so keep an eye on this page for all the latest news.
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