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Elon Musk forecasted at Tesla’s recent Q2 2020 Earnings Call that the new standard range for EVs would be close to 300 EPA miles per charge. His answer explained why the EV automaker decided against producing a Standard Range version of the Model Y.
Before the Q2 Earnings Call, Tesla had taken down information about the Model Y SR+ from its configuration page. When asked by @jgrano305 if Tesla would still make the Model Y SR+, Elon Musk definitively said no. At the time, he clarified his answer, saying: “No, as range would be unacceptably low (<250 mile EPA).”
He elaborated on the subject further when a similar question was asked during the Earnings Call. Retail investor Robert Maurer had asked: "Tesla recently decided not to produce a Standard Range version of Model Y, no longer offers SR Model S/X, & has announced ramping of the Semi. Does this shift from smaller pack vehicles suggest Tesla is not as battery-constrained as in the past? What are the biggest constraints?”
No, as range would be unacceptably low (< 250 mile EPA)
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 13, 2020
Seemingly answering Maurer’s constraint question, Elon Musk encouraged mining companies to mine more nickel. He advised mining companies not to wait for nickel to reach the high point the mineral reached several years ago but to concentrate on efficiency, eco-friendly practices, and high volume.
Then he explained why Tesla no longer offered a Standard Range version for the Model Y, Model S, and Model X. Tesla still offers the Model 3 Standard Range Plus with an EPA of 250 miles. The Model 3 Standard Range has been available off-menu when customers request it, but Tesla could stop producing it if the company was trying to set an EV standard of 250+ miles.
Elon Musk predicted that the “new normal” for Tesla and EVs would be 300 miles in US EPA terms or about 500 km in Europe—300 miles is approximately 482.8km. He did not disclose whether he was referring to WLTP or NEDC standards for his range estimates in Europe.
Credit: feuleconomy.gov
He clarified that the new standard Tesla is aiming to set for its vehicles and EVs in the market accounts for factors like hot and cold weather, mountain climbing with a full load, and leftover range once a driver reaches his/her destination. “…people don't want to have—get to the destination with like 10 miles range. They want some reasonable margins,” said Musk.
Tesla’s decision to focus on producing vehicles with 250-300 miles of range or more reveals its role as a leader in the EV market. Now Tesla is setting standards. Three hundred miles of range may not be a big deal for a company that has already achieved more than 400 miles of range with the Model S, but it may be a challenge for traditional automakers.
For perspective, the 2020 Model Y Performance AWD has a 75kWh battery pack with an EPA of 315 miles while the 2020 Jaguar IPACE has a 90kWh battery pack with 234 miles of EPA range. The Nissan Leaf seems to fare a little better when compared to Tesla. The Nissan Leaf’s top-tier variant with a 62kWh battery pack has an EPA range of 215 miles. In comparison, the Model 3 SR+ has a 54kWh battery pack and an EPA range of 250 miles.
About the Author
Ma. Claribelle Deveza
Longtime writer and news/book editor. Writing about Tesla allows me to contribute something good to the world, while doing something I love.
