Tesla cancels 'world's quickest' Model S Plaid+ equipped with new battery technology

Tesla is cancelling its proposed $149,990 Model S Plaid+ because the regular Model S Plaid is "just so good.," Elon Musk said there is "no need" for a car that can go over 400 miles per charge.

Musk told Electrek the reasoning behind dropping the Plaid+ was that "there are essentially zero trips above 400 miles where the driver doesn’t need to stop for restroom, food, coffee, etc. anyway." The Plaid and Plaid+ were to both feature tri-motor powertrains rated at 1,020 hp and 1,100 hp, respectively, but it's not clear if they use the same battery technology. Tesla's next-generation 4680 battery cells, which are more energy dense and efficient than the current technology, are said to increase range by approximately 30%, but were recently still in development at a pilot facility. The upcoming Tesla Cybertruck, Roadster, Semi and Texas-built Model Y are being designed with the new cells in mind, but Musk previously said they would be used in a Plaid, without specifying if he meant both or just the Plaid+, which wasn't scheduled to enter production until mid-2022.