Update : Tesla Model S exceeds 400 miles of range

Tesla Model S continues to amaze and the latest version exceeds 400 miles range

Another small but important upgrade for the Tesla Model S since it now exceeds 400 miles of autonomy and now the large electric sedan has 402 miles (647 km) of range. Impressive, huh? All this was achieved thanks to some upgrades and the new wheels.

In fact, not long ago, Elon Musk had mentioned that Tesla is too close to catching the 400-mile range. Tesla did this with the Long Range Plus” version of the Model S, but the last EPA measurement was at 391 miles (629 km). But Musk claimed the EPA was wrong in testing the new Model S Long Range Plus.

Elon Musk claimed that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) left a door open with the key inside the vehicle during the cycle test – causing the electric car not to “sleep” and run out of battery enough, but the EPA denied the Tesla CEO’s claim.

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Below are the improvements Tesla made to the Model S to make the 402-mile range number realistic.

Significant Mass Reduction
Mass is the enemy of both efficiency and performance, and minimizing the weight of every component is an ongoing goal for our design and engineering teams. Several lessons from the engineering design and manufacturing of Model 3 and Model Y have now been carried over to Model S and Model X. This has unlocked new areas of mass reduction while maintaining the premium feel and performance of both vehicles. Additional weight savings have also been achieved through the standardization of Tesla’s in-house seat manufacturing and lighter weight materials used in our battery pack and drive units.

New “Tempest” Aero Wheels and Tires
Our newest 8.5 inch-wide aero wheels reduce aerodynamic drag compared to the previous wheels on Model S Long Range, and when paired with a new custom tire specifically engineered to reduce rolling resistance, add a 2% improvement to overall range.

Increased Drive Unit Efficiency
In our rear AC-induction drive unit, we replaced the mechanical oil pump with an electric oil pump that optimizes lubrication independent of vehicle speed to reduce friction. Further improvements to the gearbox in our front permanent magnet synchronous reluctance motors shared with Model 3 and Model Y have resulted in a further increase of 2% more range while driving on the highway.

Maximizing Regenerative Braking
Our newest drive feature, HOLD, blends the motor’s regenerative braking with physical brakes to bring our cars to a stop by easing off of the accelerator pedal. To bring the car to a stop smoothly, regenerative braking now works at a lower speed and deceleration rate, sending more energy back to the battery pack while simultaneously enabling a driving experience like no other car.

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