Tesla Model Y gets 315-mile EPA range, besting original projections

Eleven months after Tesla announced that its Model Y crossover would have a range of 300 miles, the news out of Fremont, California, is even more promising. According to the latest EPA rating, the all-wheel-drive EV crossover has a range of 315 miles.

Tesla co-founder and CEO Elon Musk unveiled the $47,000 Model Y in March 2019. For $3000, the Model Y offers an optional third-row seat, which will increase its capacity to seven passengers. The car has 66 cubic feet of cargo space. Tesla’s semi-autonomous Autopilot system is includes for free in all Tesla models, but the advanced capability that allows the vehicle to change lanes, overtake, “Smart Summon,” and self-park costs $7K extra.

According to the posting on fueleconomy.gov, the Model Y’s 315-mile range equates to 129 MPGe city/112 MPGe highway. The cost of driving the EV is 91 cents for 25 miles.

This EPA rating is for the AWD Performance variant of the Model Y, which has a 0–60 mph time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 145 mph. There is an optional Performance Upgrade that adds 21-inch wheels, lower suspension, performance brakes, and an increased 155-mph top speed, albeit with a lower 280-mile range (not yet EPA rated). Before incentives, the Performance model starts at $62,190 including destination, but the base Model Y Long Range comes in at $54,190. Tesla estimates its range will also be 315 miles (no EPA rating so far, which could be higher), and it has a 0-60 times of 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 135 mph.

Tesla says that one of its 12,000+ Superchargers on well-traveled routes can restore 168 miles of range in 15 minutes, for a fee. 

It’ll be interesting to see how those range figures match up with those of the Ford Mustang Mach-E. When equipped with the bigger 98.8-kWh battery and rear-wheel drive, the Mach-E will get at least 300 miles of range, according to Ford. Adding all-wheel drive drive or sticking with the base 75.7-kWh battery reduces range from there, to a minimum of 210 miles with the standard battery and all-wheel drive.