The EPA range uses the combined MPGe rating and that's definitely misleading. At the moment, I think the base Model 3 will have less EPA range than the Bolt, but also have longer highway range.
Take a look at the Model S 75 kWh versus the Bolt:
Compare Side-by-Side
The Model S 75 kWh has a highway MPGe rating of 100. The Bolt EV has 110. The dual motor 75D is 105. The Model 3 only has to be 10% more efficient than the Model S RWD in the highway cycle in order to match the Bolt's efficiency. By virtue of being smaller, it has both lower weight and smaller frontal area. Also, Musk/Tesla hinted at much better aerodynamics. Also remember, the EPA highway cycle is not very representative of long distance highway driving. It's more of a typical commute from a suburb into a city, so it has plenty of starts and stops and even the highway section undulates with simulated traffic. The average speed of that test is only ~48 mph (old style highway test and the new high speed test).
Detailed Test Information
The Bolt likely has about 59-60 kWh of usable capacity on a 64 kWh battery. If the Model 3 has 55 kWh of usable battery, it has to be about 20% more efficient than the Model S75 to match the Bolt's EPA highway range. And that's reasonable. I suspect that base Model 3 will have a lower official EPA range (since it uses the city rating at 55%, and highway rating at 45%) but a higher actual usable highway range, especially at 70-80 mph. And I think it will be a bit difficult to explain at first.
Take a look at the Model S 75 kWh versus the Bolt:
Compare Side-by-Side
The Model S 75 kWh has a highway MPGe rating of 100. The Bolt EV has 110. The dual motor 75D is 105. The Model 3 only has to be 10% more efficient than the Model S RWD in the highway cycle in order to match the Bolt's efficiency. By virtue of being smaller, it has both lower weight and smaller frontal area. Also, Musk/Tesla hinted at much better aerodynamics. Also remember, the EPA highway cycle is not very representative of long distance highway driving. It's more of a typical commute from a suburb into a city, so it has plenty of starts and stops and even the highway section undulates with simulated traffic. The average speed of that test is only ~48 mph (old style highway test and the new high speed test).
Detailed Test Information
The Bolt likely has about 59-60 kWh of usable capacity on a 64 kWh battery. If the Model 3 has 55 kWh of usable battery, it has to be about 20% more efficient than the Model S75 to match the Bolt's EPA highway range. And that's reasonable. I suspect that base Model 3 will have a lower official EPA range (since it uses the city rating at 55%, and highway rating at 45%) but a higher actual usable highway range, especially at 70-80 mph. And I think it will be a bit difficult to explain at first.