Tesla Ups Ante on Model Y Range, Underscoring Its EV Lead - ConsumerReports.org

CR reached out to Jaguar, Audi, and Porsche to ask about decisions they made in how they engineered their electric vehicles that led to lower range values.

The Jaguar’s I-Pace often gets more than the EPA rated range, and a software update will add about 12 miles, says Taylor Hoel, a spokesman for Jaguar Land Rover.

“This is more than enough range to satisfy the daily commuting needs of most American drivers without having to stop and charge,” Hoel says.

Audi decided it was important to increase battery life while also delivering more consistent performance, company spokesman Mark Dahncke says. The fully charged Audi uses 88 percent of the battery’s capacity rather than 100 percent, he says. That limits range but makes the battery last longer.

“We utilized a different approach that prioritizes durability, longevity and safety of the battery over maximizing range and performance in the E-Tron,” Dahncke says. “We will have higher performance models on the way.”

Porsche spokesman Calvin Kim says Porsche’s cars are known for performance and on-road capability. Battery range isn’t as much a factor for consumers looking for a high-speed sports car.

“Porsche’s first battery electric vehicle had to be a car that would capture the qualities that separate Porsche from the rest,” Kim says.

Musk, Tesla’s CEO, underscored on Jan. 29 that he sees the company’s technology and energy efficiency as a competitive advantage going forward. And more improvements are coming. Tesla may soon increase the range for some versions of the Model S to close to 400 miles, nearly doubling that of the Porsche Taycan, he said. He attributed it to the powertrain—things like the batteries, power converters, and motors inside the EV.

“It’s better than anything else by a country mile,” Musk said. “We must be using that energy pretty efficiently, and the powertrain is a big part of that.”

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