Tesla's super-cheap Model 3 could be delayed until 2018

Tesla's long-awaited Model 3 could be delayed until 2018, according to a presentation CTO JB Straubel.

The presentation - given last week at the EIA Conference in Washington, D.C. - features a slide which states that a "$35,000 200-mile electric car is planned for 2018."

This is a departure from the expected Model 3 timeline, which called for the design concept to debut first quarter of 2016 with deliveries beginning in 2017. 

It's unclear exactly what the company's plans are, based on only one slide. But if the Model 3 is delayed, it would continue a pattern of delays for the company's vehicles.

We recently learned that the Model 3 will actually be two cars: a crossover SUV and a sedan. Tesla is expected to being deliveries of its Model X SUV in the third quarter of this year.

We reached out to Tesla for clarification and are awaiting comment.

Click here for Straubel's complete presentation on "Energy Storage, EV's, and the grid."

Tesla shares were down slightly in trading on Monday, at around $260.