Tesla News: Model S Officially Surpasses 400-Mile Range
It’ been a long time in the making, but Tesla has officially broken the seal on the 400-mile range mark for its vehicles. As of June 15, the EPA has given the thumbs up to the Model S Long Range Plus and its new 402-mile range.
The story doesn’t end there however, since there is a lot to be gleaned from how Tesla has achieved this, and when. According to Elon Musk, all of these trim of Model S have come with this range since late January.
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1272712304514068480?s=20
As to how these gains have been accomplished, a lot of the individual moves have been outlined by Tesla. Their focus was on weight reduction, updated software, and a couple of key component upgrades.
Starting today, all North American Model S Long Range Plus vehicles have an official EPA-rated range of 402 miles, representing a nearly 20% increase in range when compared to a 2019 Model S 100D with the same battery pack design.
First Tesla changed out the seats in the Model S, to be like the more updated, and light-weight, Model 3 and Y seats. They also changed out the battery pack and drive units, which are much improved and lightweight.
Next up, the wheels, now newly dubbed “Tempest Aero Wheels” are 8.5 inch-wide, and reduce drag to eek out an impressive %2 range improvement. In addition to the new wheels, Tesla have fitted a new electric-oil pump to the same front permanent magnet synchronous reluctance motors from the Model 3 and Y. This also resulted in an increase of 2% range on the highway.
Their new “HOLD” regenerative braking mode now works at a lower speed and deceleration rate, which recovers energy much more aggressively than before. It works by seamlessly incorporating both the regen and physical braking, much in the same way as one-pedal driving.
Props to Tesla for continuing to find miles of range in all nooks and crannies of their design. As Battery Day approaches, I’m starting to wonder what more they could possibly unveil. Perhaps they will just confirm everything we suspect, and point out recent roll-outs.
