Social Media was recently excited as an unknown Uganda imported the first-ever Tesla electric vehicle (EV) into the country early this week. A reverse Google image search confirms that this is a Tesla Model S. These cars are known to be pricey as they are all-electric cars that have disrupted the vehicle manufacturing industry forcing all the major brands to go electric.
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In February 2021, East Africa received its first Tesla in Kenya which was a Model X 75D Tesla. At the time, the owner (Mr. Patel) said that Tesla America had refused, to sell him the electric car and he had to buy it from the UK who agreed to sell him the EV but with a catch that there would be little or no support.
The Tesla Model S comes in three models and the most expensive model can travel at least 837 Km and can go from 0 to 96.5 km per hour in under two seconds. This means you can travel a 333.8 km journey from Kampala to Gulu and back. You can even attempt to go to Aura at 474 kilometers but you will have to recharge somewhere on your way back.
The revamped Tesla Model S has some light updates to the exterior of the car, including a standard large glass roof, but the biggest visual change is inside. Tesla has removed the portrait touchscreen in favor of a landscape screen as shown in the featured image. There’s also an unconventional U-shaped butterfly steering wheel which raises questions in regards to usability and comfort. The car also has two wireless charging ports below the screen and there is also a second screen for the back passengers.
The latest Model S starts at UGX 294.8m ($79,990) before taxes for a “Long Range” dual-motor version that gets 663.05 km of range. Or people can spend UGX 438.5 m ($119,000) for one with the new, more powerful “Plaid” powertrain that goes 627.6 km with that sub-2 second 0–90 km/h time. The “Plaid+” version with 837 Km starts at UGX 504.8m ($139,000).
