Why Does Tesla’s Range Decrease When Wheel Size Increases?

This phenomenon, well illustrated in the Tesla online configurator, is actually common to all vehicles, electric or not.

The Tesla online configurator indicates that for all models, range decreases as wheel diameter increases. And this is despite the overall diameter of the wheel, tire included, remaining unchanged. Take the example of the Model Y Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive. With the standard 19-inch Gemini wheels, WLTP range is 600 km. With the 20-inch Induction wheels, it drops to 565 km. You spent 2,100 euros to lose 35 km — what a shame!

When the overall diameter, including the tire, increases, range logically decreases because the energy needed for movement is proportional to the tire’s mass and the square of its radius. But why is this also true at equal diameters?

aesthetics at the expense of range

The fundamental reason, and this applies to any car—not just a Tesla—is that larger wheels are heavier. Even in alloy, the metal of the rim is heavier than the rubber of the tire. Carbon wheels can possibly contradict this rule, but they are not standard due to fragility and cost. A larger wheel diameter therefore adds weight to the car and increases the energy required to move it. That said, if you mainly drive on highways with fewer acceleration phases than on regular roads, larger wheels are less of a hindrance.

Finally, other factors such as tread design, aerodynamic profile of the wheel, and tire pressure also affect range, much more significantly than wheel dimensions. Checking tire pressure and avoiding unnecessary overload are the best ways to go further safely and efficiently.

In the end, while larger wheels can enhance the appearance of a Tesla, they may also negatively impact the vehicle’s efficiency and range. It is essential for owners to consider these factors when choosing wheel sizes to ensure their vehicle meets desired performance characteristics while maintaining an acceptable range for their needs.

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