What Factors Have the Biggest Impact on Tesla Range?

When taking a Tesla or other electric vehicle (EV) out for a long trip, drivers don’t have the same luxury as those who can simply rely on refueling at one of the hundreds of thousands of gas stations. There’s more planning and waiting for refueling Teslas and other EVs on the go. 

These days it’s a persistent issue with electric vehicles, and figuring out how the projected range will vary during the trip is still quite difficult. The good thing is that the technology behind Tesla's batteries and analytics systems is constantly improving, with the company making significant strides over the past decade.

Tesla and its supporting partner network do a great job of outlining the current status of your battery charge. There are analytical systems that can help project what the usage will be, given current driving patterns and other external factors. Unfortunately, there are still so many variables that can be difficult to track whenever you take out an electric vehicle for an extended period, Tesla or otherwise.

​It’s essential to understand what limits the range of your vehicle for traditional automotive and EVs as well. Some factors are universal to all vehicle types, such as driver behavior, road condition, and vehicle care quality. But additional aspects of battery technology leave these energy-storing devices prone to reduced performance, which can significantly reduce your car's range.

To help Tesla drivers prepare themselves for optimal battery range when out and about, here are some of the everyday events that have the most significant impact on the energy expenditure of your EV

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Factors with the Biggest Impact on Tesla Model y Long Range and Other Tesla Range

Like any battery-powered system, numerous factors determine the life of the charge. So, what are some factors that have the biggest impact on the range, and how do you get the best range out of your Tesla vehicle? We've compiled a list below to help answer these questions!

Driver Behavior

Driving habits have a significant role in determining your energy usage. They are one of the most critical determinants of how far you can get while driving your tesla model y long range, Model S, Model X, or other Tesla vehicles. 

You might be someone who likes to take advantage of the enhanced performance that comes with features like Ludacris and Plaid. Anytime you push a vehicle to the upper limits of its performance, you will decrease its range. Thankfully, Tesla vehicles allow drivers to easily see their instantaneous and projected energy usage and range via the trip odometer, which is accessible on both the instrument cluster in front of the steering wheel and on the touchscreen.

Drivers can check out real-time data on their vehicle's remaining range using any Tesla mobile application. The battery drainage will also increase for those who like to take advantage of some of the car's interior features, like the electronic display, sound system, or in-drive entertainment features.

Temperature and Climate

Whether you're driving through the winter cold of the Northeastern States or traveling through the Sunbelt in the middle of summer, the exterior climate and temperature always play a factor in determining how long your battery will last.

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If you're traveling in cold weather, the lower temperature impacts the environment in which the lithium-ion reaction occurs. The exact science behind energy loss at extreme lows has yet to be widely understood. Still, there's ample evidence showing that it reduces the battery's ability to show charge. Anyone who has left their phone out in the car on a cold winter night can attest to that.

Looking at the opposite end of the temperature spectrum, the lithium-ion batteries in Tesla vehicles and other EVs also experience reduced performance, and even damage, during high heat.

Temperatures above 80 degrees Celsius have a negative effect on the charge capacity of the batteries, and the effect on the battery’s charge is even more significant as temperatures increase from there. This can be a considerable challenge for anyone living in a particularly hot environment, but Tesla uses an array of cooling mechanisms that help its vehicles stay at optimum performance.

Charge Quality

The quality of your Tesla charge varies depending on the power source and duration. The less power your source provides, the longer it takes to charge fully. If you have a low-power charger, your 2021 tesla model y long range, Model S or other Tesla vehicle can't accept as much power as it does from a high-power supply. In fact, if you use a low-power or standard 110/120-volt outlet, you may only be able to charge very slowly. 

Alternatively, if you charge from a 240-volt NEMA 14-50 outlet or Level 2 charger, you're likely to find that your Model S charges faster with lower power levels. The better option for achieving a quick, high-power charge is with the Superchargers that run on direct-current fast-charging equipment. That being said, Superchargers are not advised for regular use as they can degrade the battery over time.

This is because Supercharging runs at a higher amperage than regular charging. If you also need a reliable option to charge your EV when electricity rates are cheaper, Optiwatt is an excellent choice.

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So, what does this mean for owners? It means that long-distance travel isn't something you should do daily, but it will be okay to use occasionally so long as you take breaks and give your battery time to recondition itself.

Tesla recommends using only Tesla High Power Wall Connectors (HPWC) and Tesla's Destination Charging connectors when charging from a commercial 240-volt supply. The HPWC supplies 72 amps at 240 volts, allowing for a maximum of 58.8kW charging, which translates to around 170 miles per hour of charge.

Let's look at why this makes sense.

The Model S has two chargers that function independently—a primary onboard charger (OBC) that transfers energy into the battery pack and an auxiliary charger that can transfer energy only when the main charger is not operating. The primary charger is 48A, while the auxiliary is 37.5A. This means that the maximum power of the main charging system is limited to 72A or 58.8kW (effective capacity per hour), which comes out to a rate of about 170 miles per hour of charge under ideal circumstances.

Getting the Best Tesla Range in Real-World Settings

Although Tesla strives for reliability in the performance of its batteries and EVs, the reality is that many real-world factors impact the range of these vehicles. As we’ve seen, an intricate network of variables, including charge quality, climate and temperature, and driver behavior, can all create situations where the charge of the vehicle drops at an unexpected rate. To help combat these unlikely scenarios, here’s a list of some of the best tips for achieving an optimal Tesla range, regardless of the destination. 

Develop a Charging Schedule

The cadence, location, and power of your EV charging habits all play into the overall performance of your Tesla over longer ranges. Ideally, customers need to charge their vehicles over long periods with a mid-to-low voltage charger so that the “supercharging effect” is avoided. If you have a Tesla Wall or Mobile Connector (preferably the former), then charging overnight is generally the best approach. 

It’s also advantageous to keep your battery within a specific charging range. Many recommend capping the charge at 80% unless you’re going for a longer trip and aren’t clear about the availability of charge stations. 

Leverage Technical Enhancements

Tesla vehicles all come with state-of-the-art software features that help drivers optimize the use of their charge. Analytics and behavioral analysis benefit Tesla owners who regularly make the same trip. The Full Self-driving (FSD) chip, Neural Network, and other powerful AI-based evaluation tools are promising to transform the field of driver-EV performance. 

Full Self-Driving Software — Tesla's state-of-the-art Full Self-Driving software is a remarkable improvement over the traditional autopilot system. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has often compared this advanced AI program to an advanced form of human cognition, such as what would be experienced by professional athletes or fighter pilots.

The FSD works like a digital twin that observes and learns actions in the electric vehicle, which are carried out on actual roads. The FSD chip is learning more and more with every mile it drives, just like humans do when they drive. In terms of range, a Tesla vehicle with FSD can predict range capability in real time based on the data learned through the program. This allows drivers of Tesla electric cars to enjoy improved power each time they drive by taking full advantage of any routes or driving habits they have come to understand about their car.

Adjust Your Driving Behavior

One of the easiest ways you can positively impact the range of your Tesla is by driving more efficiently. Frequent stops and accelerations negatively impact battery charge in the same way they do on gas consumption. By making a more concerted effort to drive mindfully, and with a little help from Tesla’s analytical features, you can develop a driving style that is more energy-efficient, safer, and more enjoyable. 

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