Exceptional range and the establishment of charging stations all around the globe have put Tesla miles ahead of other electric car manufacturers.
Tesla claims all but the Model 3 Standard Range Plus have a range of over 300 miles (482.8 km), with the Model S Long Range maxing out at 405 miles (651.78 km). In truth, few people get close to a Tesla’s estimated range, given that the average American drives roughly 40 miles (64.37 km) per day.
I’ve taken the liberty of answering your questions about Tesla’s mileage and range. By the end of this article, you should better understand Tesla batteries and how far you expect them to take you.
The number of miles you can go in a Tesla, according to EPA estimates, begins at 262 miles (421.65 km) in a fully charged Model 3 Standard Range Plus. After that, the most miles you can do is 405 miles (651.78 km) in a Model S Long Range. However, this varies depending on the model.
The miles estimates provided on Tesla’s website result from tests conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They are as follows:
| Tesla Model | Estimated Range |
| Model Y Long Range | 315 miles (506.94 km) |
| Model Y Performance | 303 miles (487.63 km) |
| Model X Long Range | 360 miles (579.36 km) |
| Model X Plaid | 340 miles (547.18 km) |
| Model 3 Long Range | 353 miles (568.10 km) |
| Model 3 Performance | 315 miles (506.94 km) |
| Model 3 Standard Range Plus | 262 miles (421.65 km) |
| Model S Long Range | 405 miles (651.78 km) |
| Model S Plaid | 396 miles (637.30 km) |
There’s plenty of information available about the relationship between mileage and the condition of an internal combustion engine.
Generally, the higher the mileage, the cheaper the car is as wear increases with the mileage. The same is partially true with Teslas.
Miles matter on a Tesla as the battery degrades with every mile and recharge. But what really matters on a Tesla is the battery level. The battery level shows how far the battery has degraded.
If you’d like to find out How To Check Mileage on Tesla Model S, see this article that we wrote. We also found some alternatives.
Teslas have fewer moving parts than an internal combustion engine, meaning fewer parts degrade as the odometer ticks on. The cost of repair of a Tesla compared to its ICE equivalent is much lower since there’s very little to repair or replace.
Checking the odometer won’t give you a clear indication of the condition of a used Tesla, but a battery test will. Some Tesla owners wear their batteries faster due to poor maintenance habits.
Elon Musk wrote that Tesla battery modules cost between $5,000 to $7,000. However, he also claims that a module should last anywhere between 300,000 to 500,000 miles (483,000 to 805,000 km).
Replacing a battery module that will last another 300,000 miles (483,000 km) for $5,000 isn’t that bad. Take note, however, that some battery modules won’t last that long due to poor maintenance.
That’s why your primary concern should be on battery level rather than mileage.
Mileage does matter when checking the validity of Tesla’s warranty. To qualify for the warranty, the battery level needs to be at a minimum of 70% (See again why battery level is crucial?).
Luckily, Tesla covers you up to a certain point:
Tesla has cemented itself at the top of the electric vehicle ladder by offering a superior range to most of its competitors.
Tesla range estimates are pretty accurate, according to a test by Motortrend. Tesla’s onboard computer calculates your range depending on your driving patterns, then divides the juice in the batteries by factors such as speed and terrain and produces a range estimate.
This range estimate appears on the Energy App on your touchscreen.
The Motortrend team drove a 370-mile (595.46-km) Tesla Model S for 359 miles (577.75 km) non-stop, and the range stated that the Tesla could still do 41 miles (65.98 km).
We researched and wrote a helpful article about How Far Electric Cars Go. Check it out!
The man driving claimed he was worried when taking a mountainous route to his destination. However, Tesla surprised him by taking into consideration terrain while calculating the range he had left.
He noted that the system got better at predicting the miles he had left as it learned more about his driving style.
Tesla estimates range by dividing the battery level by external factors, including driving behaviour and the environment. Therefore, it’s common for you to see the estimated range change as your driving style changes or as temperatures get warmer.
Driving in cold areas can also reduce the estimated range because cold batteries use up more energy. High speeds and city driving also reduce the Tesla estimated range.
Tesla can increase the range of a vehicle using software updates. For example, in October 2020, Tesla updated the Model Y’s software and improved the car’s range by about 10 miles (16.09 km).
I wrote an in-depth guide on How Far Do Electric Cars Go. Check it out!
The rated range of your Tesla is the range provided by Tesla as you purchase the car. Tesla gets this figure by dividing the battery level by a fixed efficiency value.
They set the efficiency value depending on tests performed by the EPA.
However, the rated range doesn’t factor in external elements while calculating, so there’s often a discrepancy between Tesla’s estimated range and rated range.
As you start driving, external elements factor into the range calculations. For example, some drivers note that the rated range falls faster than the actual miles one is driving.
It’s because rated range calculations don’t consider external factors.
Tesla recommends that you refer to its software estimated range to get the most accurate range reading.
This YouTube video will give you an idea of how Teslas calculate range during a journey:
