Tesla cancels Right-Hand-Drive Model S and Model X orders in several markets

Electric car pioneer Tesla Motors has confirmed that it has cancelled orders for the Right-Hand-Drive Model S electric sedan and Model X electric crossover SUV as it has decided not to build RHD versions of the two flagship BEVs. The EV giant assured that those who have already placed orders for the Model S Model X BEVs will get the option of taking delivery of a Left-Hand Drive (LHD) versions. Such customers can also convert their orders to a Model 3 and Model Y, or cancel them altogether.

Tesla explained that Model S and X reservation holders from various RHD markets have already been informed by the company that they can either convert their orders to other available vehicles or cancel them altogether. Those who will opt to cancel the orders will receive a full refund for the payments they made at the time of reserving the vehicles.

A number of pre-order holders in RHD-markets like England, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan also confirmed on social media platforms like Twitter that the American EV maker has informed them that they will need to accept taking delivery of a LHD models if they want to move forward with their orders.

Obviously, cancellation of orders for the RHD models is a big inconvenience for most of reservation holders as driving a LHD vehicle in RHD markets will not be acceptable for many of them. Not to mention, some of them are getting this piece of bad news after waiting for the delivery of their pre-ordered vehicles for a couple of years or even more.

Tesla has already updated its websites in RHD markets like England, Ireland and Japan to show that the Model S electric sedan and Model X crossover SUV are only available in LHD configuration.

For customers who will opt to change their reservation orders from RHD Model S and Model X to Model 3 or Model Y EVs, the American manufacturer will give a credit of up to $2,175 (approx. €2,000) in Ireland and up to $2,000 (AUS$3,000) in Australia.