The improvement of the efficiency and range in electric cars made by Tesla has been constant and impressive. It shows us why this automaker is ahead of competition (other premium cars, electric or not).
Let’s see the evolution of EPA ratings for Tesla’s electric cars in their long range trim-levels.
Tesla Model S
Tesla Model S
2012 Tesla Model S
- City consumption: 88 MPGe – 23,8 kWh/100 km
- Combined consumption: 89 MPGe – 23,5 kWh/100 km
- Highway consumption: 90 MPGe – 23,3 kWh/100 km
- Total range: 265 miles (426 km)
2015 Tesla Model S AWD – 90D
- City consumption: 95 MPGe – 22 kWh/100 km
- Combined consumption: 100 MPGe – 20,9 kWh/100 km
- Highway consumption: 106 MPGe – 19,8 kWh/100 km
- Total range: 270 miles (435 km)
2016 Tesla Model S AWD – 90D
- City consumption: 101 MPGe – 20,7 kWh/100 km
- Combined consumption: 103 MPGe – 20,3 kWh/100 km
- Highway consumption: 107 MPGe – 19,6 kWh/100 km
- Total range: 294 miles (473 km)
2017 Tesla Model S AWD – 100D
- City consumption: 101 MPGe – 20,7 kWh/100 km
- Combined consumption: 102 MPGe – 20,5 kWh/100 km
- Highway consumption: 102 MPGe – 20,5 kWh/100 km
- Total range: 335 miles (539 km)
2020 Tesla Model S Long Range Plus
- City consumption: 121 MPGe – 17,3 kWh/100 km
- Combined consumption: 117 MPGe – 17,9 kWh/100 km
- Highway consumption: 112 MPGe – 18,7 kWh/100 km
- Total range: 402 miles (647 km)
Tesla Model X
Tesla Model X
2016 Tesla Model X AWD – 90D
- City consumption: 90 MPGe – 23,3 kWh/100 km
- Combined consumption: 92 MPGe – 22,8 kWh/100 km
- Highway consumption: 94 MPGe – 22,3 kWh/100 km
- Total range: 257 miles (414 km)
2017 Tesla Model X AWD – 100D
- City consumption: 86 MPGe – 24,4 kWh/100 km
- Combined consumption: 87 MPGe – 24,1 kWh/100 km
- Highway consumption: 90 MPGe – 23,3 kWh/100 km
- Total range: 295 miles (475 km)
2019 Tesla Model X Long Range
- City consumption: 99 MPGe – 21,2 kWh/100 km
- Combined consumption: 96 MPGe – 21,8 kWh/100 km
- Highway consumption: 93 MPGe – 22,5 kWh/100 km
- Total range: 325 miles (523 km)
2020 Tesla Model X Long Range Plus
- City consumption: 108 MPGe – 19,4 kWh/100 km
- Combined consumption: 105 MPGe – 19,9 kWh/100 km
- Highway consumption: 101 MPGe – 20,7 kWh/100 km
- Total range: 351 miles (565 km)
2021 Tesla Model X Long Range Plus
- City consumption: 109 MPGe – 19,2 kWh/100 km
- Combined consumption: 105 MPGe – 19,9 kWh/100 km
- Highway consumption: 101 MPGe – 20,7 kWh/100 km
- Total range: 371 miles (597 km)
Tesla Model 3
Tesla Model 3 production version
2017 Tesla Model 3 Long Range
- City consumption: 131 MPGe – 16 kWh/100 km
- Combined consumption: 126 MPGe – 16,6 kWh/100 km
- Highway consumption: 120 MPGe – 17,5 kWh/100 km
- Total range: 310 miles (499 km)
2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range
- City consumption: 136 MPGe – 15,4 kWh/100 km
- Combined consumption: 130 MPGe – 16,1 kWh/100 km
- Highway consumption: 123 MPGe – 17 kWh/100 km
- Total range: 310 miles (499 km)
2020 Tesla Model 3 Long Range
- City consumption: 136 MPGe – 15,4 kWh/100 km
- Combined consumption: 130 MPGe – 16,1 kWh/100 km
- Highway consumption: 123 MPGe – 17 kWh/100 km
- Total range: 330 miles (531 km)
2021 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
- City consumption: 141 MPGe – 14,9 kWh/100 km
- Combined consumption: 134 MPGe – 15,6 kWh/100 km
- Highway consumption: 127 MPGe – 16,5 kWh/100 km
- Total range: 353 miles (568 km)
Tesla Model Y
Tesla Model Y
2020 Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD
- City consumption: 127 MPGe – 16,5 kWh/100 km
- Combined consumption: 121 MPGe – 17,3 kWh/100 km
- Highway consumption: 114 MPGe – 18,4 kWh/100 km
- Total range: 316 miles (509 km)
2021 Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD
- City consumption: 131 MPGe – 16 kWh/100 km
- Combined consumption: 125 MPGe – 16,8 kWh/100 km
- Highway consumption: 117 MPGe – 17,9 kWh/100 km
- Total range: 326 miles (525 km)
It’s impressive how much Tesla managed to improve its electric cars over time. Range and charging times are no longer problems for most people, but price still is.
Now the plan is to start using cobalt-free batteries to further reduce costs and increase production. Only with cobalt-free batteries electric cars can compete with ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) cars in volume production and price.
Tesla’s diversified cathode approach
LFP/LFMP (iron based) and LNMO (nickel and manganese based) cathode chemistries will play an important role in the coming years.
Sharing the same smart strategy of becoming cobalt-free, Tesla and BYD are the most likely automakers to first reach the milestone of selling one million electric cars per year. I’m optimistic and think that this milestone could be reached by 2022 or 2023.
Next year Tesla will start producing its electric cars in Europe (Germany) and BYD will introduce a new EV platform that promises to deliver price, range and safety similar to conventional ICE models.
Lastly, the first 7.000 Tesla Model 3 electric cars made in China for European customers have cobalt-free LFP (LiFePO4) batteries and are already on their way to Europe by sea. This is an extremely important step to achieve the massification of electric cars.
We’re getting there…
