We have tested the range of the Tesla Model Y in practice, on the Dutch highway at 100 and 130 km/h. Does the Model Y Long Range reach the official range of 507 kilometers?
The Tesla Model Y is finally in the Netherlands. The adventure begins with the Long Range version of 65,010 euros. The 71,010 euro Performance (480 km) will come ‘early 2022’. Nothing is known yet about a cheaper Standard Range Plus version – that is the name of the basic version of the technically equal Model 3.
The test drives are smooth: both during the day (100 km/h, 18 degrees) and in the evening (130 km/h, 14 degrees) the road is quiet, so we can drive at a constant speed. The route starts and ends at the same point, to eliminate the influence of wind and height differences.
Disclaimer: Our test route is 80 kilometers long and we use the average power consumption over that distance to determine the total range. It can be even more precise by driving a battery back to zero from 100 percent. Think of it as a well-intentioned estimate.
Tesla Model Y: range at 100 km/h
At 100 km/h, the Tesla Model Y Long Range has an average power consumption of 16.0 kWh/100 km. If you would completely empty a full battery of 70 kWh, in theory you would come 437 kilometers far.
That is not the promised range of 507 kilometers, but our test car is on large 20-inch alloy. As a rule, you lose a few percent of the range with the upgrade from 19 to 20 inches. Other brands are very clear about this, Tesla is not.
Nevertheless, 16.0 kWh/100 km is an impressively low power consumption. It makes the Model Y the most economical electric SUV available today. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 scores 17.2 kWh/100 km and covers 424 km, the Polestar 2 ‘does’ 19.0 kWh/100 km and 395 km.
Tesla Model Y: range at 130 km/h
At 130 km/h, the Model Y Long Range continues to use electricity economically. It scores 22.9 kWh/100 km! That exclamation mark is there for a reason, because 22.9 kWh is low. Its competitors devoid of between 25 and 30 kWh per 100 kilometres. A usable capacity of 70 kWh gives a 130 km/h range of just a few feet 305 kilometers. Neat.
Conclusion
Of all the new electric SUVs you can buy right now, the Tesla Model Y Long Range is the most fuel-efficient. That is one hell of a plus for an electric car. He does not reach the specified 507 kilometers, but 437 km at 100 km/h is equally welcome.
At the same time, a battery capacity of 70 kWh is no more than average these days. It is only because the Long Range is so economical with electricity that it lives up to its name.
You will soon read the extensive driving impression of the Tesla Model Y in Auto Review 11.
We will notify you as soon as the magazine is in the store.