WLTP range

When looking on the Tesla website about the Model 3, then you find for the Long Range Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive stated that it has a range of 560 km according to WLTP. But when you charge this Tesla to the recommended 90%, you see “only” a distance of 445 to 450 km.

A first explanation is that 90% is not a fully charged battery. If you were to charge it to 100%, it would result in something under 500 km. That is still not 560 km. What’s about that?

First something background to WLTP. WLTP stands for Worldwide harmonized Light vehicle Test Procedure. So it is actually a standardized test that simulates a certain “real” driving cycle, so that the results should give some some indications to the consumer:

• give an impression over maximum reach
• because testing is always done in the same way, it is possible to compare one car to another in terms of the possible range

If you go into more detail with regard to WLTP, you will read that the test cycle takes 30 minutes, and that this test is performed on a dynamometer (so not on the road, this to keep the tests reproduceable). During these 30 minutes, a distance of 23.25 km is covered, so the average speed is 46.5 km/h. During this cycle you have a part where the speed is 131 km/h, and 13% of the time is a standstill. During the entire test cycle, the average drive power is 7 kW and the maximum drive power is 47 kW. This test therefore gives an impression under very specific circumstances, and that does not mean that these are also your normal circumstances.

The same criticism can be heard with cars with internal combustion engines: specified consumption is generally not achieved. Here too, the stated consumption is an indication and not a guaranteed consumption, which is meant more to compare the consumption performance of cars with each other.

Assume that your Tesla Model 3 LR AWD or Performance if it is 90% fully loaded with a mild ride gives you a maximum range of roughly 400 km. On long journeys, stop regularly to give the inner man some rest, a cup of coffee and possibly some food, and in the meantime to charge your Model 3 at a Supercharger. That makes your (long) ride nice and relaxed and you prevent range anxiety stress. There is really no one with a black and white checkered flag at your destination …