Tesla Model S Gets 17-Mile Bump in Range, Solidifies Spot as Longest-Range EV

author: Vineeth Joel Patel   

If you want an electric vehicle with a lot of range, you really only have one real automaker to go with – Tesla. The Tesla Model S was the longest-range electric car for quite a few years. With a range of 373 miles, no automaker could get close to the electric sedan. 

But that wasn't enough for Tesla, nor is it enough for consumers that want to go even further on a single charge. That's why Tesla updated the Model S to have even more range.

Getting Closer To 400 Miles

Tesla's CEO Elon Musk took to Twitter, as he usually does, to announce an upgrade in range for a few of the automaker's electric vehicles. Recently, Musk claimed that Tesla would sell an electric vehicle with 400 miles of range, and it looks like the brand is getting closer to meeting its goal. A new Model S Long Range Plus variant was recently introduced that has a range of 390 miles. That's a 17-mile improvement from before, while the Model S Performance continues to have a range of 348 miles.

The Model X also receives a Long Range Plus version, which sees range increase to 351 miles. Previously, the most the Model X Long Range could travel was 328 miles. Range for the Model X increases by a more impressive 23 miles.

When Musk was asked how it managed to increase the ranges of the two electric vehicles that have the longest ranges on the market, he stated that the brand's engineers had made "many small hardware improvements throughout the car that have been introduced gradually over the past several months."

Tesla Leads The Pack For Range

While this is good news for Model S and Model X consumers, there is some gray area. The software updates that gave the electric vehicles more range only applies to cars that were manufactured recently. Musk didn't respond to users on Twitter who asked what the official timeframe was. So, it's highly possible that motorists may have just missed out on a few more miles of range by getting their vehicle a little early.

Still, the updates help Tesla solidify its place as the automaker with electric cars that have the most range. The Model S holds the number one spot, the Model X is in second place, and the Model 3 Long Range comes in third place with a range of 322 miles. Clearly, Tesla's head start on developing electric powertrains has paid off, as other automakers haven't been able to break the 300-mile threshold and Tesla is well on its way to hitting the 400-mile mark in the near future.

Beyond Tesla, vehicles that consumers can actually purchase now with anything close to 300 miles of range are the Chevrolet Bolt (259 miles), Hyundai Kona Electric (258 miles), Kia Niro EV (239 miles), Jaguar I-Pace (234 miles), and Nissan Leaf Plus (226 miles).

Vineeth Joel Patel

Joel Patel has been covering all aspects of the automotive industry for four years as an editor and freelance writer for various websites. When it comes to cars, he enjoys covering the merger between technology and cars. In his spare time, Joel likes to watch baseball, work on his car, and try new foods