Tesla reduces driving ranges for Model Y in US

The American electric car maker has been forced into an embarrassing backdown on a key selling point after intervention from government regulators.

Tesla has been forced to downgrade its claimed driving range for the Model Y SUV in the US.

The American electric car maker has dropped its claims by six per cent, according to US website Electrek.

Electric car driving ranges are based on complicated calculations that vary around the world, making it hard for consumers to know just how far they can travel.

Tesla has been forced to reduce the claimed driving range of the Model Y in the US. Photo: Mark Bean.

In the US, Tesla claims the Model Y Long Range can now travel about 500km, down from 531km, while the Model Y Performance can go about 460km, on a single charge down from 488km.

Standard Range models remain unchanged at 418km.

Australian models aren’t affected as American models use a different testing regime. Our figures are based on European standards.

In Australia Tesla claims the Model Y Standard range can drive up to 455km, the Long Range can travel 533km and the Performance can go 514km between top ups.

The range of Australian sold vehicles remains unchanged. Photo: Mark Bean.

American electric cars are assessed by the Environmental Protection Agency test (EPA), while Australian vehicles use the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP).

Recent changes to the EPA’s testing requires makers to average the range over several drive modes rather than just using the best, which could be the reason behind the changes.

The EPA also focuses more on higher-speed highway driving, where electric cars are less efficient.

The WLTP process focuses more on city driving, where electric cars are more efficient, as they replenish their batteries with regenerative braking more often and don’t suffer from the drag associated with higher speeds.

There are several testing procedures for electric car driving ranges used throughout the world. Photo: Mark Bean.

The EPA figures are likely to be a better guide for Australian owners, as our driving habits are more similar to Americans than Europeans; we cover longer distances.

Tesla generally has the longest ranges of any comparable electric vehicle on sale in Australia and in past tests the range has appeared to be fairly accurate when driven in a range of conditions.

The Tesla Model Y was the sixth best selling vehicle in Australia in 2023. Photo: Mark Bean.

The American maker also benefits from having lighter vehicles than most other similar sized EVs, which helps boost driving range.

Tesla also uses a range of different batteries in the cars from a number of suppliers including BYD and Panasonic, which could affect projected range in different markets.

The Tesla Model Y was the sixth highest selling vehicle in Australia in 2023 with more than 28,000 finding a new home. Tesla sold more than 46,000 vehicle in the past year, which was more than half of all EVs sold.

Originally published as Tesla reduces driving ranges for Model Y in US