The Tesla Model S could be the first electric car to have an EPA estimate of 400 miles, but CEO Elon Musk said the agency did a boo-boo in the process.
During Tesla’s first quarter investor call – which included some colorful language for orders at home during the Corona virus Pandemic – Musk said Model S Long Range should have a 400-mile range estimate, but the EPA gave one instead 391 miles estimate.
Why? According to the CEO, at some point during the process, someone left the keys in the car and the door open overnight. Model S entered Waiting for Driver mode, which consumed 2% of the range of the electric vehicle, hence the rating under 400 miles. Musk added that the company plans to retest the Model S with the EPA and is “confident” that the test will produce a 400-mile car. According to the CEO, Tesla has started building the S model with updates in recent months to return the 400 mile rating.
The automaker did not immediately return Roadshow’s request for comment on the situation. The EPA was not immediately available to return a request for comment.
When a re-test reveals Musk’s predictions, Tesla will be the first company to sell an electric vehicle with a range of 400 miles. The Model S already has the crown for the longest range of any electric vehicle on the market, but there has been a 400 mile race in recent months. Lucid thinks of his air the figure will crack, for example.