Tech

Tesla claims the Model Y, Model S, and Model X can now go longer between charges, further strengthening its foothold in EV range

By Mark Matousek
Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y. Tesla
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Three Tesla vehicles have received range increases, according to the electric-car manufacturer and its CEO, Elon Musk.

The all-wheel-drive trims of Tesla's Model Y SUV, set to be released by the end of March, can drive 315 miles between charges, up from 280, the company said in its fourth-quarter earnings letter in January. Tesla attributed the range increase to engineering improvements. While the US Environmental Protection Agency, which certifies the driving ranges of electric vehicles, has not posted the Model Y's results on its website, an EPA representative confirmed to Business Insider that it estimates the all-wheel-drive Model Ys will have 315 miles of range.

Tesla's Model S sedan and Model X SUV also received range increases, Musk said in January during Tesla's fourth-quarter earnings call, though the company has not submitted either to a new round of EPA testing.

Musk appeared to refer to the Model S as having a new maximum range of 380 to 390 miles, up from 373 miles. Musk did not appear to specify the new maximum range of the Model X, which is listed as 328 miles on Tesla's website.

Range has been a significant advantage for Tesla; even as new EVs are a regular occurrence, its vehicles topped Autotrader's latest list of EVs with the longest ranges. (Autotrader's list goes by the capabilities of long-range models, but Tesla has lower-range options. The Model 3, for example, has a lower-priced standard-range trim that offers a rated 250 miles of range — and quite a few headaches — which puts it a little further down the list and which is less than the Hyundai Kona's EPA-estimated 258 miles.)

Long range is not just a matter of pride for an EV maker — it's an essential factor in attracting customers, as limited range has been cited as one of the biggest obstacles holding EVs back from wider adoption. Some city cars have double-digit range estimates, and many others offer mileage ranges in the 100s and 200s.

The average gas-powered vehicle can drive about 300 miles on a single tank of gas, representing the threshold at which so-called range anxiety is no longer a problem for electric vehicles, Michael Harley, the executive editor of the automotive-research website Kelley Blue Book, told Business Insider last year.

Tesla's had that milestone handled for a while now, and the company's latest announcement further cements that.

This story has been updated with confirmation from the EPA on the estimated range of all-wheel-drive Model Ys. 

Are you a current or former Tesla employee? Do you have an opinion about what it's like to work there? Contact this reporter at mmatousek@bjinnox.com. You can also reach out on Signal at 646-768-4712 or email this reporter's encrypted address at mmatousek@protonmail.com.

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Mark Matousek
I'm a senior transportation reporter at Insider covering electric vehicles, automated-driving technology, and ride-hailing. I joined Insider in October 2017 and previously worked as an intern at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. I graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with degrees in film and media studies and business economics. You can follow me on Twitter @matousekmark and email me at mmatousek@bjinnox.com.  If you have sensitive information you'd like to share and don't feel comfortable sending it to my work email or via a direct-message on Twitter, you can contact me on the encrypted messaging app Signal at 646-768-4712 or email my encrypted address at mmatousek@protonmail.com. Here's some of my work: Uber insiders are divided over Dara Khosrowshahi's leadership, with some worried the company has become 'boring' and 'confused' about its future Nikola founder Trevor Milton convinced the world he was the next Elon Musk. Insiders say a history of lies brought the billionaire down. 17 hours a day, 7 days a week: Cruise-ship workers describe the grueling conditions they face on the job We talked to 42 insiders about Tesla's factory of the future. They revealed the corners cut to hit ambitious production targets. 70-hour weeks and 'WTF' emails: 42 employees reveal the frenzy of working at Tesla under the 'cult' of Elon Musk Tesla is transforming how cars are sold. But 27 insiders say the company's methods mean slashed pay and living under the constant threat of getting laid off. Uber insiders reveal how DoorDash stole its delivery crown and left Eats in the dust Uber's trying no-meeting Mondays to give employees a break from 'tiring' back-to-back meetings, a leaked email reveals Leaked email reveals a Tesla VP expressed concern about employees coming to work with COVID-19 symptoms Leaked document reveals Nikola flip-flopped on whether it would spend any of its $17 million of customer deposits to fund the Nikola One Insiders reveal Alibaba's Jack Ma sought a partnership with Canoo to build electric delivery vans, but the deal fell flat because the startup couldn't meet his aggressive timeline Leaked email from Elon Musk reveals the Model Y is experiencing production 'challenges' while passing the Model 3 as the top priority at Tesla's US car factory Leaked email and audio reveal Carnival-owned Holland America has struggled to give refunds to some customers Leaked documents reveal the severance packages laid off Carnival UK workers will receive Inside Tesla's overhaul plan for its sales and delivery teams to solve one of its toughest customer challenges
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