Tesla Model Y range gets a haircut – Performance model dips below 451 km

The Tesla Model Y, pretty much a mascot for the electric revolution, has had a bumpy ride on the range front lately. The Performance version, known for its zip and once boasting over 483 km of range, just had its most recent EPA-estimated number slashed from 459 km down to 449 km.

For Tesla enthusiasts, this might be a shrug-worthy change. 10 km less? So what? But context is key. The Performance model was initially rated at a solid 488 km. That number has been gradually dwindling, first to 459 km, and now to 449 km. Suddenly, that minor 10 km drop seems part of a more worrying trend.

What’s behind the shrinking range? Tesla isn’t offering any play-by-play explanations. The EPA did introduce tougher testing standards for 2024, which could be a factor. But Tesla is also famous for constant under-the-hood adjustments, from software updates to battery tweaks. Whether these changes are to blame, or the reason is a mix, remains to be seen. One thing’s clear: you won’t be going as far on a single charge as you used to.

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Will this turn buyers away? Unlikely. The Model Y remains the darling of the electric SUV world, and its relatively competitive pricing keeps it attractive. Yet, the shrinking range should give some drivers pause, especially those who frequently hit the open road or navigate areas where charging stations are few and far between. Tesla’s range advantage is eroding, and rivals are starting to breathe down its neck.

Range woes aren’t the only storm brewing on the horizon. The company continues to face a firestorm in Sweden, where unions and Tesla remain locked in a battle over collective bargaining rights. Mechanics, electricians, transport workers, and even postal workers have joined forces to disrupt Tesla’s operations. This Scandinavian stand-off puts a spotlight on Tesla’s tense relationship with organized labor, a struggle that could potentially spill over into other markets with strong worker protections.

Adding to Tesla’s worries, the company recently suffered a direct hit to its German operations. An arson attack suspected to be carried out by a far-left group damaged a power supply line to the Gigafactory near Berlin, resulting in a shutdown. This attack has not only raised concerns about sabotage from environmental extremists but also highlighted the potential security vulnerabilities Tesla could face as it expands its global footprint. All this – the dwindling range, labor conflicts in Sweden, and the arson attack in Germany – threaten to mar the once-unstoppable rise of Elon Musk’s electric vehicle empire.

Via