I have been obsessing over the max range of the model S for some time now. The only reason is I would like the model S to replace my ICE car and want to make sure it can meet most of my needs. I want to drive the model S the same way I drive my ICE car now.
Over this website I found out the usable capacity the Model S has for the 85KWh is 76KWh. It might be more or less this number, but lets make that assumption.
Tesla Model S Buyers', Delivery and Owners' Guide
This equates to roughly 90% of the battery. Being knowledgable about lithium batteries, I can conclude this is really where you want to use your battery anyways (worst case). 5% bottom and 5% top to maximize battery life.
Given this data, the capacities for the different model S batteries are:
85KWh - 76.5KWh
70KWh - 63KWh
60KWh - 54KWh
Using this EPA website, I calculated the HWY miles I can get. HWY is really what I care about anyways because in the city, I would most likely be near a charger of some sort and can easily charge. On the Highway when moving from city to city I might find it difficult to charge and charge quickly.
Gas Mileage of 2015 Tesla Model S
Using ONLY the HWY mpge and the 33.7KWh in 1 gallon equivalent of gasoline I arrived at the following numbers for the following Model S:
Model S85D - 76.5KWh/33.7KWh * 106 = 240.6 miles
Model P85D - 76.5KWh/33.7KWh * 98 = 222.46 miles
Model S85 - 76.5KWh/33.7KWh * 90 = 204.3 miles
Model S70D - 63KWh/33.7KWh * 102 = 190.68 miles
Model S60 - 54KWh/33.7KWh * 97 =155.43 miles
This is the MAX range you will get on the HWY. The first thing I don't understand is why the P85D, despite being more efficient, have lower EPA total range, 253 miles, compared to the S85 which is rated at 265 miles and less efficient. I think EPA changed their method of range rating and hence why the overall lower EPA range for the P85D. My point is, not to worry about the EPA COMBINE range, but look more at the HWY and CITY EPA range and do your calculation on those numbers.
In real life HWY driving, the P85D will get more range than the S85 despite EPA rating the P85D at overall lower total EPA range.
Now to the point of degradation.
Assuming 5% degradation over the first 4 years or so (generous) , we are looking at:
Model S85D - 240.6 miles * 0.95 = 228.57 miles
Model P85D - 222.46 miles * 0.95 = 211.37 miles
Model S85 - 204.3 miles * 0.95 = 194.1 miles
Model S70D - 190.68 miles * 0.95 = 181.15 miles
Model S60 - 155.43 miles * 0.95 = 147.66 miles
This will be your HWY range for the first 4 years of driving. The reason I am looking at this number is most likely when you do take road trips, you will want to use a number you can count on, not the max your battery is providing at the time.
Now factor in 10% of that range is what we typically leave in before really panicking to finding a charge:
Model S85D - 228.57 miles * 0.9 = 205.7 miles
Model P85D - 211.37 miles * 0.9 = 190.23 miles
Model S85 - 194.1 miles * 0.9 = 174.69 miles
Model S70D - 181.15 miles * 0.9 = 163 miles
Model S60 - 147.66 miles * 0.9 = 130.2 miles
Obviously these numbers are probably what you would get worst case condition, i.e. headwind, raining, AC on, going 70+mph, etc. Yes I know many of you on the forum would complain you get much better range than these numbers. But keep in mind, this is what the range you would get if you drive your Model S like you drive your ICE car in any typical condition. Again apples to apples comparison.
After looking at those numbers, the S85D would be the only car that would comfortably do 200+ miles. This makes my decision on which model to get much easier.
GET THE S85D!
Going on these numbers, the model 3 must be much more efficient or have a much bigger battery than most will anticipate if it going to legitimately get greater than 200 miles on one charge with AC on like Musk has said. But then again, who knows what trick EPA plays to get these BEV combined range numbers. I am not dissing EV cars, but I feel the EPA sometime hacks the numbers to make it look more favorable compared to ICE cars.
Over this website I found out the usable capacity the Model S has for the 85KWh is 76KWh. It might be more or less this number, but lets make that assumption.
Tesla Model S Buyers', Delivery and Owners' Guide
This equates to roughly 90% of the battery. Being knowledgable about lithium batteries, I can conclude this is really where you want to use your battery anyways (worst case). 5% bottom and 5% top to maximize battery life.
Given this data, the capacities for the different model S batteries are:
85KWh - 76.5KWh
70KWh - 63KWh
60KWh - 54KWh
Using this EPA website, I calculated the HWY miles I can get. HWY is really what I care about anyways because in the city, I would most likely be near a charger of some sort and can easily charge. On the Highway when moving from city to city I might find it difficult to charge and charge quickly.
Gas Mileage of 2015 Tesla Model S
Using ONLY the HWY mpge and the 33.7KWh in 1 gallon equivalent of gasoline I arrived at the following numbers for the following Model S:
Model S85D - 76.5KWh/33.7KWh * 106 = 240.6 miles
Model P85D - 76.5KWh/33.7KWh * 98 = 222.46 miles
Model S85 - 76.5KWh/33.7KWh * 90 = 204.3 miles
Model S70D - 63KWh/33.7KWh * 102 = 190.68 miles
Model S60 - 54KWh/33.7KWh * 97 =155.43 miles
This is the MAX range you will get on the HWY. The first thing I don't understand is why the P85D, despite being more efficient, have lower EPA total range, 253 miles, compared to the S85 which is rated at 265 miles and less efficient. I think EPA changed their method of range rating and hence why the overall lower EPA range for the P85D. My point is, not to worry about the EPA COMBINE range, but look more at the HWY and CITY EPA range and do your calculation on those numbers.
In real life HWY driving, the P85D will get more range than the S85 despite EPA rating the P85D at overall lower total EPA range.
Now to the point of degradation.
Assuming 5% degradation over the first 4 years or so (generous) , we are looking at:
Model S85D - 240.6 miles * 0.95 = 228.57 miles
Model P85D - 222.46 miles * 0.95 = 211.37 miles
Model S85 - 204.3 miles * 0.95 = 194.1 miles
Model S70D - 190.68 miles * 0.95 = 181.15 miles
Model S60 - 155.43 miles * 0.95 = 147.66 miles
This will be your HWY range for the first 4 years of driving. The reason I am looking at this number is most likely when you do take road trips, you will want to use a number you can count on, not the max your battery is providing at the time.
Now factor in 10% of that range is what we typically leave in before really panicking to finding a charge:
Model S85D - 228.57 miles * 0.9 = 205.7 miles
Model P85D - 211.37 miles * 0.9 = 190.23 miles
Model S85 - 194.1 miles * 0.9 = 174.69 miles
Model S70D - 181.15 miles * 0.9 = 163 miles
Model S60 - 147.66 miles * 0.9 = 130.2 miles
Obviously these numbers are probably what you would get worst case condition, i.e. headwind, raining, AC on, going 70+mph, etc. Yes I know many of you on the forum would complain you get much better range than these numbers. But keep in mind, this is what the range you would get if you drive your Model S like you drive your ICE car in any typical condition. Again apples to apples comparison.
After looking at those numbers, the S85D would be the only car that would comfortably do 200+ miles. This makes my decision on which model to get much easier.
GET THE S85D!
Going on these numbers, the model 3 must be much more efficient or have a much bigger battery than most will anticipate if it going to legitimately get greater than 200 miles on one charge with AC on like Musk has said. But then again, who knows what trick EPA plays to get these BEV combined range numbers. I am not dissing EV cars, but I feel the EPA sometime hacks the numbers to make it look more favorable compared to ICE cars.