Tesla Forced to Reduce Range Estimates Due to New EPA Guidelines
Tesla has been known for exaggerating the driving range of their cars. The new EPA update is restricting the EV manufacturer's overestimation.
EPA Testing Update
Tesla, acknowledged for its electric vehicle efficiency, recently underwent a downsizing of range estimates following the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) reevaluation of testing procedures. These revisions specifically impacted the Model S, Model X, and Model Y, witnessing reductions of up to 9.3% due to the updated EPA testing rules. Notably, while several models saw range reductions, the Tesla Model 3 remained unaffected.
Influencing Factors
The revised EPA policy, necessitating range testing in multiple drive modes, in contrast to solely the most efficient one, played a pivotal role in the diminished range estimates. Documents obtained by DriveTesla highlight alterations in testing requirements, including evaluating the vehicle's range across various drive modes, attributing to lower estimated ranges. Additionally, internal documents referred to "comfort and functionality improvements," resulting in increased energy consumption, further affecting battery performance.
Impact
The altered range figures align with ongoing scrutiny as investigations and lawsuits have surfaced regarding Tesla's alleged exaggeration of range claims. Tesla disclosed to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that government agencies have sought information on matters associated with vehicle range, among other concerns.
Specifics of Range Adjustments and Real-World Tests
The adjustments affected numerous Tesla models: the Model S Plaid, Model Y Long Range, Model Y Performance, and Model X Plaid, with reductions varying across trim levels. Real-world tests, notably by Edmunds, revealed discrepancies between EPA estimates and actual performance, consistent across multiple Tesla models. This contrasts with some EVs from other manufacturers that surpass their stated estimates.
EPA Testing Procedures
The EPA's revised testing procedures now include various driving scenarios to better reflect real-world performance factors like air conditioning use, temperature, and speed. These adjustments lead to higher energy consumption and, consequently, a marginal decrease in overall range, as noted in Drive Tesla's report.
Allegations and Past Practices
Tesla has faced allegations of inaccurate range projections on dashboards, allegedly using a manipulated algorithm to display optimistic figures, particularly when battery levels dropped below 50%. Accusations included customer interactions where appointments for service were canceled after attempts to address concerns about range discrepancies.
