Here is the real autonomy of the new Tesla Model 3
The American site Motor Trend had the chance to test the new restyled Tesla Model 3, in Propulsion and Long Autonomy versions. The journalists carried out a range test at 110 km/h and compared it with the old Tesla Model 3. Here are the results.
The new Tesla Model 3s are eagerly awaited by the community of electric car drivers. It must be said that this model is one of the best value for money, but above all, it stands out by its low consumption, and therefore its great autonomy. For the 2024 vintage of the Model 3, Tesla has decided to make a huge number of modifications: more than 40 in total! It must be said that this is a restyling, or rather an improvement as the American firm specifies.
One of the biggest improvements concerns consumption and autonomy. The capacity of the battery does not change between the old and the new Model 3. Thus, you must always count on approximately 60 kWh for the Propulsion version and 80 kWh for the Long Autonomy version. Tesla then announces up to 554 km of autonomy for the smallest battery and up to 678 km with the largest. This in the WLTP mixed theoretical cycle, and with the smallest rims.
The autonomy test at 100 km/h
It is always difficult to test and compare the range of an electric car, as circumstances (weather, traffic, charging, etc.) can change the situation. The site’s American journalists Motor Trend however, were lucky enough to be able to carry out the exercise. They were able to compare the autonomy of the new Tesla Model 3 Propulsion and Long Autonomy with the old Model 3 Long Autonomy. The protocol was simple: use 95% of the battery while driving at 70 MPH (approximately 112 km/h) and record the distance traveled. Here are the results.
| You’re here | Range at 110 km/h |
|---|---|
| Model 3 Propulsion 2024 | 340km |
| Model 3 Long Range 2024 | 402km |
| Model 3 Long Range 2023 | 415km |
As we can see in the table above and in the test video below, the new Tesla Model 3 Propulsion can travel 340 km over the exercise, compared to 402 km for the Long Autonomy version. That’s a difference of 18%. More surprisingly, the old Model 3 Long Range reaches 415 km. That’s a difference of 3% between the old and the new. But this is explained quite easily.
Why the old Model 3 doesn’t really have more autonomy
The new Tesla Model 3s were both equipped with 19-inch rims. According to Tesla, the theoretical WLTP autonomy is reduced by 8% when going from small 18-inch rims to 19-inch ones. And in fact, the old Model 3 was equipped with small 18-inch wheels. Which therefore explains, in part, the astonishing gap between the old and the new electric car.
In other words, the new Tesla Model 3 equipped with small rims should surely have been able to travel around 434 km. But the reason can also lie elsewhere.
Indeed, Tesla has used many different batteries on its electric cars without ever communicating officially. Sometimes the car was a little more (or less) powerful, sometimes the range could be very slightly less (or more). When other times, it was the charging that was really faster, as we proved with our recent test of the fast charging of the Tesla Model Y equipped with a BYD battery.
Besides, Motor Trend announces 5 to 80% charge in 33 minutes for the new Model 3 Propulsion. Compare with the 20 minutes claimed by the Model Y manufactured in Berlin or the 28 minutes for the Model Y manufactured in Shanghai. But the American site unfortunately does not specify on which terminal the test was carried out.
In short, it is possible that the old Model 3 used by Motor Trend was equipped witha battery with a slightly higher capacity than that of the new Model 3. Which would partly explain these somewhat surprising results.
The new Tesla Model 3 consumes less than the old one
But in any case, it is certain that the new Tesla Model 3 consume less energy. Quite simply thanks to their better aerodynamic shape (their famous drag coefficient Cx at 0.219 compared to 0.23 previously).
Moreover, we have just received the WLTP consumption figures (with energy losses linked to recharging) for the new Tesla Model 3. With the 19-inch rims, you have to take into account 13.2 kWh / 100 km for the Propulsion version and 14 kWh / 100 km for the Long Autonomy version. Tesla previously announced respective consumption figures of 14.4 and 14.7 kWh/100 km.
For comparison, the late Volkswagen e-UP! (which left the German manufacturer’s catalog a few days ago) was given for a consumption of 12.7 kWh / 100 km, with a much smaller battery (36.8 kWh) and a weight of 1,235 kg… against 1,765 kg for the new Tesla Model 3. We understand better why Teslas are known for their efficiency.
