I just checked the teslamotors.com website for the Model 3. They refer to the 310 mile version as with the "long range battery" and the 220 mile version as the "standard battery." There is no indication that they have made these the official names of the cars. Yes, miles will be converted to metric in those countries that have wisely adopted metric standards while the US remains stuck in measurement hell. Since Tesla is an innovator, I would love to see them call the the cars the "354"km and the "483"km here in the US! After all, Tesla does refer to the battery size of the MS/X by the metric system!
I don't know... I mean they have two choices, name their cars, or not name their cars. In the long run I'd say battery capacity and range will be less and less important, but right now the big battery is the most expensive option. Range and battery capacity clearly matters right now.
Usually naming the models after different trim levels, engine displacement, battery capacity... has worked rather well, so far. Many companies do it and it isn't like we don't really care if it's a 75, or a P100D. A P100D is something special and some want a badge for it. And of course it's easier to talk about, especially if you have different versions over time. "The 75D is now as quick as a P85" try saying that without using those badges.
Maybe they totally move away from naming different "battery levels", which would be ok IMO, if they think they need to. But replacing kWh with EPA range, or "SR" and "LR", isn't really something I think is genius. It's just replacing one thing that non enthusiasts can't figure out instantly, with another thing only enthusiasts really understand at first glance.
And to make myself clear here, I don't really mind them doing either, not naming their cars, or just changing the naming scheme, I don't really want badges on my own car. But it isn't really something I applaud, or even really understand. Because others do want badges and the kWh naming had no obvious downsides I ever noticed.
When I talk to other people about my car, no one ever got confused by the 90. Of course they ask about driving range, too. But like I mentioned before, printing the range on the back of the car creates new problems. Also, why make range the most important feature? That's the only weak spot EVs still have. If you are a tall, witty, good looking guy, with crooked teeth and interesting hobbies. Would you only put "crooked teeth" in a dating profile? Battery size on the other hand always also had implications on performance, a field where EVs really excel.
