Tesla Model 3 Performance: Better Than Expected Range

The American Environmental Protection Agency credits the Tesla Model 3 Performance with greater range than advertised.

All good news is welcome. At least in the United States, as this information should not impact the range of the French or European models of the Tesla Model 3 Performance. Two reasons for this:

• the range calculation protocol is not the same in the United States where highway driving (due to the topography of the road network and cities) is favored.
• the battery is different between American and Sino-European models.

Let’s start from the beginning. Initially presented with a range of 296 miles (476 km) last month, the Tesla Model 3 Performance “USA” is now allowed, by the American Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to increase this value to 303 miles (487 km). A small gain of 11 km that changes everything, as the range has crossed into another hundred miles, that of “+300 miles”. A very strong psychological (and commercial) argument! In France, the WLTP range of the Tesla Model 3 Performance is 528 kilometers.

The Canadians Are Not Happy

We mentioned earlier “Tesla Model 3 Performance USA”. And yes, don’t forget that the American territory will produce its own models, while other countries, even neighboring ones like Canada, will be supplied from China and the Shanghai factory. The explanation is rational and, in this case, anti-environmental: the Chinese production of Tesla has been running slowly for months, and therefore, other export destinations need to be found. The same goes for Europe, which must absorb an increasingly large portion of Chinese production.

As a reminder, the batteries differ between US and Chinese models. The US versions benefit from a heavier 82 kWh Panasonic battery, which has forced Tesla to increase the power of its car in this market. The Chinese models have a lighter 79 kWh LG battery that allows for reduced power while maintaining the same acceleration values… but also provides better road dynamics due to a lower mass.

And you, which Tesla Model 3 Performance would you prefer? Chinese or American?

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