EPA rating for 85 kWh Tesla Model S: 89 MPGe, 265-mile range
21 June 2012
The EPA has rated the Tesla Model S luxury EV equipped with the 85 kWh pack at 89 MPGe combined (88 MPGe city, 90 MPGe highway), with a range per charge of 265 miles. Tesla is offering a choice of three battery pack configurations on the Model S: 40, 60, and 85 kWH packs, along with an 85 kWh pack performance model. The numbers for the other packs have not been released, according to Tesla.
EPA-rated power consumption for the 85 kWh model (with a starting price of $69,900 after the $7,500 federal tax credit) is 38 kWh/100 miles combined (38 kWh city, 37 kWh highway).
The battery is warrantied for 8 years, unlimited miles. Charge time at 240V according to the EPA is 12 hours. The Model S is equipped with a 10 kW capable on-board charger with the following input compatibility: 85-265 V, 45-65 Hz, 1-40 A. With a High Power Wall Connector and Twin Chargers (i.e., 20 kW capable), Model S can be recharged at the rate of 62 miles of range per hour. The 85 kWh version of the Model S is “Supercharger” equipped, allowing fast charging that will replenish 160 miles of travel in about 30 minutes when applied to the 85 kWh vehicle.
The Model S with 85 kWh pack has a top speed of 125 mph (201 km/h) and accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds.
The only comparable EV by size is Fisker’s Karma that got EPA rated at 52 mpge. So it is really good for the Model S to get 89 mpge for the most heavy version with a 85 kWh pack. We should expect a little better mpge for the shorter range Model S.
Also, the performance edition of Model S can do 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 sec using a 2WD 350 horsepower motor. The coming Model X will be sold in a performance version with two 350 hp motors and 4WD. So 700 hp in a series produced car. That will be a world first. Even the race cars at Le Mans are no more than 550 hp.
Tesla is doing more than anybody else to crush the image of EVs always being slow and boring to drive.
Posted by: Account Deleted | 21 June 2012 at 02:31 AM
"The battery is warrantied for 8 years, unlimited miles."
This EV is going to change everything and it's only a day from open market.
No "Oops, it works - better crush it" this time.
Posted by: kelly | 21 June 2012 at 06:14 AM
This is the muscle e-car that can match (and more) about any other equivalent ICE muscle car around. A hand to Tesla.
Future versions with 100+ Kwh lighter battery pack and 5-minute charging system will make most of the ICE counter-parts deeply obsolete.
The next challenge will be to produce a more affordable version (under $40K after subsidies) with lower performances but with higher efficiency (100+ empg) for the other 97% to 99% of us. USA could buy 15+ million of those every year.
Posted by: HarveyD | 21 June 2012 at 08:35 AM
Model S does 265/85 = 3.12 mile/kWh
The 99 mpge LEAF does 73/24 = 3.04 mile/kWh.
Model S seems to have the upperhand, but it is not visible in the mpge rating. There might be two reasons for that: an inefficient charger or a lower roundtrip efficiency of the batteries, which have different chemistry from the LEAF.
Tesla has hinted at taking a second look at the charger to improve the mpge rating.
Posted by: Arne | 22 June 2012 at 06:50 AM