Tesla Model Y Performance Outclasses Rival Crossover EVs with Official EPA Range of 315 Miles

The Tesla Model Y Performance has officially received an EPA-rated range of 315 miles per charge. The official range of Tesla's crossover SUV is close to that of the Model 3 Performance, which currently stands at 322 miles per charge. 

When Tesla first introduced the Model Y in mid-2019, its range was estimated to be 280 miles per charge. During its Q4 2019 Earnings Call, the EV automaker updated its estimated range for the upcoming all-electric crossover. 

"In January this year, we started producing Model Y in limited volumes already. Now this is thanks to a great effort of our engineering team and we managed to achieve by far the highest energy efficiency of any electric SUV ever produced at 4.1 miles per kilowatt-hour, which means Model Y four-wheel-drive got an EPA rating of 315 miles and this improvement is reflected on the configurator as of today. This is above what we previously stated by a pretty significant margin," said Elon Musk during the latest Earnings Call. 

Credit: EPA

InsideEVs notes that the wheel size for the 315-range Model Y Performance was not mentioned in its EPA rating. Tesla has referenced a 21-inch wheel option for the Model Y, though the company's configurator today only lists the 19-inch Gemini Wheels for the crossover. 

With an official EPA rated range of 315 miles per charge, the Tesla Model Y Performance stands head and shoulders above the competition in the crossover EV segment. The Jaguar I-PACE, for example, whose price is closer to that of the Model X, has an EPA range of 234 miles. The Ford Mustang Mach-E GT, the Model Y's direct competitor, is targeting a more conservative EPA rating of 250 miles per charge. 

It is also important to note that the Model Y Performance is the most power-hungry variant of the all-electric crossover. Other variants, such as the Dual-Motor AWD, will likely have more than an EPA rated-range of 315 miles. 

Credit: EPA

Model Y production has already started in Tesla's Fremont factory. Elon Musk also announced that Tesla already broke ground on the Model Y factory in Giga Shanghai. The Model Y program in China was officially announced during the MIC Model 3 delivery event in early January 2020. Giga Berlin is expected to start with the production of the Model Y as well, once Phase 1 is complete and operational. 

Tesla Model Y deliveries and production estimates were mentioned during the latest Earnings Call as well. "On Model Y, we expect first deliveries and limited quantities later this quarter and will ramp over subsequent quarters. As mentioned previously, we are forecasting higher gross margins on Model Y compared to the Model 3," said Tesla CFO Zachary Kirkhorn. 

The Model Y is expected to outsell the Models S, 3, and X combined. It will be Tesla's first entry in the mid-size SUV market, a slice of the car industry that is in high demand. 

Featured Image Credit: Tesla