Tesla has revised down its driving-range estimates for its electric vehicle lineup due to new U.S. government regulations.
Tesla Model S Bluefire at Tesla service center – illustrative photo. Image credit: Tesla Fans Schweiz via Unsplash, free license
The new regulations are aimed at ensuring more accurate real-world performance reporting. In the past, Tesla has faced criticism for providing range estimates that were higher than what its cars could deliver.
In October, Tesla disclosed that federal investigators had subpoenaed the company for information related to the driving range of its vehicles. The driving range has been a crucial factor in marketing Tesla’s electric vehicles and other EV models, especially in the U.S., where consumers often express concerns about the availability of public charging infrastructure for battery-powered cars.
Recent adjustments made by Tesla have resulted in lower driving range estimates for various models, such as the Model Y Long Range and the performance variant of the Model Y.
The updated regulations mandate automakers to conduct tests for electric vehicles (EVs) in their “default” driving mode, the setting the car employs upon initial activation. Many modern vehicles, including Teslas, feature various driving modes designed to optimize either efficiency or power.
In cases where a car lacks a default or standard driving mode, the EPA requires automakers to test the vehicle in both its best-case and worst-case modes for efficiency, with the results averaged.
Tesla, in its marketing pages, does not specify a model year for the estimated ranges of its models. Tesla’s driving modes, such as “Chill” mode for efficiency and “Drag Strip Mode” for enhanced acceleration in performance models, are outlined in the 2023 Tesla owners’ manuals available online. The Model Y owner’s manual suggests using “Chill Mode” to maximize range.
According to EPA spokesperson Nick Conger, automakers commonly adjust efficiency estimates for a new model year when changes or updates to test procedures yield new data. It remains unclear if Tesla applied range estimate reductions to every variant of each model.
Automakers independently conduct tests for range and fuel efficiency estimates for promotional purposes, but they must strictly adhere to EPA guidelines. The EPA also conducts retests on a specific number of vehicles to verify the accuracy of manufacturers’ figures.
Tesla’s adjustments to range estimates varied, with some being minor, such as the shift from a 333-mile estimated range to 326 miles for the Model X Plaid variant. In contrast, other changes were more substantial, like the reduction of the estimate for the Model S Plaid, a luxury sport sedan, from 396 miles to 359 miles.
Written by Alius Noreika