The Tesla Model Y Propulsion approved with 20-inch wheels… in China
This page is translated from the original post "La Tesla Model Y Propulsion homologuée en 20 pouces… en Chine" in French.
- 29/05/2025 12:56
Simple aesthetic accessory on an electric car, large diameter wheels degrade the range of the Tesla Model Y Propulsion.
A laboratory market for Tesla, China continuously innovates to find ways to attract customers. Over the course of a year, during the severe economic and diplomatic crisis with the United States under Donald Trump, the sales of the American manufacturer plummeted there. By 2024, it was nearly on par with BYD in China, but the gap is now wide with a ratio of 1 to 5. While BYD sells more than 50,000 cars per week in China, Tesla stagnates at around 10,000. It is now in another league, while new entrants such as Xiaomi and Xpeng are also nibbling away at market share.
As stocks increase, both in assembled cars and spare parts, Tesla is trying a new idea: offering the Helix 2.0 wheels as an option, still reserved (also optional) for the Long Range All-Wheel Drive version. In Europe, this approach is not yet allowed, due to lack of European approval, but you never know.
A range in free fall?
Thus, in China, the option for these 20-inch wheels costs 8,000 yuan, which is 985 euros. In Europe, where customers are considered favorable targets, the price for the same wheels skyrockets to 2,100 euros, an increase of 114%!
One might be tempted to ask: “What’s the point?“. At Mobiwisy, we have already extensively explained why large diameter tires are detrimental to range. Therefore, there is no miracle for the Tesla Model Y Propulsion equipped this way.
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In China, with the mixed CLTC cycle, the 100% electric SUV boasts a range of 593 kilometers, compared to a flat 500 km in Europe. With the Helix 2.0 wheels, the range drops to 559 km, a decrease of 34 km or 6%. If this same percentage were applied in Europe, it would mean a reduction in range to 470 km, or a loss of 30 km.
And we are not even talking about the degradation of ride comfort and noise with more pronounced rolling noises.
And you, would you opt for the Helix 2.0 20-inch wheels… for 2,100 euros? Plastic hubcaps will do the job, right?
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