The rated number assumes a test cycle you will never drive. Set your
speed, temperature and conditions to see a realistic range — and which factor is costing
you the most.
Conditions
What each factor costs you
Factor
Typical effect on range
75 mph instead of 65
Roughly 10–15% less
Freezing temperatures
Roughly 15–30% less, temporary
Roof box or bike rack
Roughly 10–20% less
Larger sport wheels
Roughly 3–6% less
Hills, headwind, rain
Variable, often 5–15%
Estimates, not a guarantee. The model applies a drag
curve to speed and a temperature penalty to the rated figure — useful for planning a trip,
not a substitute for the car's own navigation, which knows the terrain and the weather.
Questions
Why is my Tesla's real range lower than the EPA number?
The EPA figure comes from a standardised test cycle that is gentler than most real driving. Speed is the dominant factor — drag rises with the square of velocity, so a 75 mph motorway run uses far more energy per mile than the same distance at 55. Cold, headwinds, roof loads and larger wheels all take their own cut.
Does cold weather permanently reduce range?
No. Cold range loss is temporary: the pack is less efficient when cold and the car spends energy heating the cabin and battery. Range returns when it warms up. Permanent loss is degradation, which you can measure with the battery health test.
How much range do bigger wheels cost?
Typically a few percent. Larger wheels usually come with lower-profile, wider tyres that add rolling resistance and unsprung mass, which is why Tesla publishes different EPA figures for different wheel options on the same car.
Does driving slower really help that much?
More than anything else you can control. Dropping from 75 to 65 mph on a long run commonly returns 10–15% more range, because aerodynamic drag dominates at motorway speed.
Should I charge to 100% for a road trip?
For the trip itself, yes — that is what it is for. As a daily habit, most owners keep an LFP pack at 100% as Tesla recommends and a nickel-based pack around 80%, which is the guidance in the car's own charging screen.
Independent fan project. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Tesla, Inc. Figures are estimates for planning only, not a quote or a substitute for a service diagnosis.
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