Which Tesla models have the longest range on a single charge? Here is a breakdown for each Tesla model for 2023.
When electric vehicles first entered the market, their biggest limiting factor was driving range. There wasn’t much value in owning a gas-free car if you had to charge it for hours before getting anywhere. That concern has all but disappeared in recent years, largely thanks to Telsa. Today’s EVs can travel hundreds of miles with only a few minutes of charging, but some models still stand out from others.
Below, we’ve ranked every 2023 model of Tesla by EV range to give you a better sense of precisely how far these cars can take you.
What Is Range on an EV?
An electric vehicle’s range is the distance it can travel on a single charge. It’s equivalent to how far a standard car can go before you need to stop at a gas station. However, today’s highway infrastructure means that an EV’s range tends to be more important—you can find a gas station at every exit but may need to look long and hard for a charging station. For that reason, a long drive range is one of the most valuable selling points of an EV.
See also: EVs with the longest overall range
Most EV manufacturers recommend that drivers charge their cars just to 80-90% of battery capacity to lengthen its lifespan. This means you’ll rarely (if ever) hit the stated maximum range. In real-world terms, this means an EV advertised as having a 350-mile range probably won’t travel further than 280.
Testing EV Drive Ranges: Not All Drives Are the Same
While EV driving ranges look similar to the ranges on standard vehicles, there are some critical factors to keep in mind when comparing them. To start, these numbers aren’t established through actual time on the road. Instead, vehicles are tested indoors on a platform where the wheels can spin in place to approximate their driving distance. This keeps things fair for comparing one car brand to another, but doesn’t necessarily provide a good representation of the mileage you’ll get on the highway.
Likewise, numerous factors can affect the battery’s efficiency. These include the outside temperature, wind levels, and road conditions. In other words, a battery might last dozens of miles longer on a summer day than in winter when it’s working against cold wind. You’ll also notice dramatic decreases in battery life if there’s more weight in the car or you’re driving in tricky terrain like the mountains.
So, while range estimates for gas engines only change marginally based on driving conditions, an EV’s range can decrease up to 40% when conditions aren’t ideal.
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2023 Teslas Ranked By Range
Which Teslas can travel the farthest between charges? All range estimates for the 2023 models are listed below.
- 2023 Model S ($104,990):405 miles
- 2023 Model S Plaid ($135,990): 396 miles
Originally launched in 2012, the Model S is what made Tesla a household name. A decade later, it’s still the Tesla with the longest drive range. While you’ll get snappier performance and faster speed with the S Plaid, the standard S pulls slightly ahead on driving distance.
- 2023 Model 3 Standard ($46,990):358 miles
Launched in 2016 as an affordable alternative to the Model S, the Model 3 is a four-door sedan and Tesla’s consistent bestseller. Despite its budget-friendly price, the car still almost tops the list for the longest range on a Tesla.
- 2023 Model X ($120,990):348 miles
- 2023 Model X Plaid ($138,990):333 miles
Long considered the car for “soccer moms”, both Model X options are SUVs that can seat seven people. Another selling point? The rear Falcon Wing doors that will leave you convinced you’re the lead in a superhero movie.
- 2023 Model Y ($65,990): 330 miles
- 2023 Model Y Performance ($69,990):303 miles
This compact SUV can seat five people and offers a lot of performance as an affordable alternative to the Model X. But with that price comes some compromise, as you likely won’t get more than 300 miles of range with it.
- Tesla Roadster ($200,000+):245 miles
The Roadster was the original Tesla when it hit the market in 2008. New models are not currently available, but that’s expected to change soon.
- Tesla Cybertruck ($50,000+): Up to 500 miles
Unveiled in 2019, the Cybertruck offers a bold new design for trucks with armored glass and a sleek stainless-steel exterior. Only prototypes of the Cybertruck exist at this point, so these range estimates are not verified.
Note: All Range estimates are taken directly from the Tesla website.
Why Does the Tesla Model S Have the Longest Range?
The Model S stands out as Teslas’s longest-range vehicle for a few reasons. It boasts the brand’s largest battery pack, and drivers can run it nearly to empty without concern of harming its capacities. The entire car is also made with lightweight materials, which ensures there’s less mass to move.
Likewise, the car’s engineering focused on reducing aerodynamic drag through 8.5-inch wheels and a streamlined design. The car’s motor, drivetrain, and oil pumps are primed for efficiency through Tesla’s MATLAB model, which checks all the areas where cars lose energy and makes tweaks as necessary. Each of these factors adds about 2% to the vehicle’s overall efficiency.
How Does Tesla Range Compare to Other Popular EVs?
Tesla might be the big name, but it’s hardly the only player in the EV market these days. Here are the top ten longest-range EVs of 2023 to show where Tesla falls within the rankings.
- 2023 Lucid Air (starting MSRP $138,000): 516 miles
- 2023 Tesla Model S ($104,990): 405 miles
- 2023 Tesla Model 3 ($46,990): 358 miles
- 2023 Fisker Ocean ($68,999): 350 miles
- 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan ($105,550): 350 miles
- 2023 Tesla Model X ($120,990): 348 miles
- 2023 Tesla Model Y ($65,990): 330 miles
- 2022 GMC Hummer EV SUV ($110,295): 329 miles
- 2023 BMW iX ($85,095): 324 miles
- 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning ($53,769): 320 miles
Looking Forward to a Future that Goes Further with EVs
The EV market is starting to open up, with new brands pushing out promising vehicles each year. That’s increasing the competitive spirit in the industry and ensuring that manufacturers will continue to push the limits of how far these gas-free cars can travel per charge.