Friday 05 December 2025 08:00 GMT Comments Support Now From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. Read more Tesla has introduced a new entry point into its Model Y line-up for UK buyers – the Model Y Standard – priced from £41,990 and promising 314 miles of range. The new version effectively replaces the previous Rear-Wheel Drive model, sitting beneath the Long Range and Performance variants in the line-up. Beyond the headline price, Tesla is pitching the new version as its most affordable model to run. The firm has designed the Model Y Standard with total cost of ownership in mind, offering a £299-per-month lease, the lowest insurance group rating ever for a Tesla (Group 34), and stronger residual values than previous versions. The UK line-up now comprises four models: the Model Y Standard at £41,990, the Model Y Premium Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive at £48,990, the Long Range All-Wheel Drive at £51,990, and the Performance version at £61,990. Tesla says the new Model Y Standard continues its mission to make sustainable transport accessible to more drivers and efficiency is a major part of the appeal. The Model Y Standard is the most efficient version yet, consuming a claimed 4.5 miles per kWh. Tesla claims that means more miles per pound when charging – and less time spent at the plug. open image in gallery Tesla has removed the rear light bar and other features to reduce the price of the Model Y Standard (Tesla) UK buyers will notice some unique tweaks, too. The Model Y Standard gets 19-inch Crossflow alloy wheels rather than the 18-inch items offered elsewhere, a choice Tesla says was made to suit British consumer preferences and help support stronger residual values. A reduced top speed and gentler acceleration have also been engineered into the UK specification to achieve that low insurance group rating – making it not only cheaper to buy and run, but more accessible to a broader audience. All Model Y vehicles come with no regular servicing requirements, another factor in lowering total ownership costs. Built at Tesla’s Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg facility, the new car benefits from the company’s experience producing more than seven million EVs globally, ensuring both economies of scale and reliability. open image in gallery