Tesla has confirmed that it has reduced the price of its 2020 Model S Long Range Plus electric car by $5000. The company also boasted that this version of the Model S received an increased range rating on a single charge according to the EPA standard (United States Environmental Protection Agency) to 402 miles (647 km).
The 402-mile range claim remains unconfirmed by the US government. Representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency have not yet confirmed Tesla's statement. And on the website of the Ministry of Energy rating for Model S Long Range Plus 2020 is not yet available.
According to Tesla, the range of the company's flagship electric sedan has been extended by reducing the vehicle's weight through the use of lighter materials in the battery pack and actuators, as well as the use of other lighter components. The company also added a "hill hold" feature that allows drivers to stay on a slope without pressing the brake pedal. The feature enables regenerative braking in the Model S and other Tesla vehicles that support it.
Back on April 29, Tesla CEO Elon Musk reported that the EPA had incorrectly reported the previous mileage figures for Tesla electric vehicles, and in fact the flagship Model S electric car is already capable of offering more than 400 miles: βThe real range of the Model S was 400 miles, but when we did the last EPA test, unfortunately the car door was left open with the keys inside. As a result, the car went into driver standby mode and lost 2% of its range. Therefore, the test showed 391 miles. As soon as the EPA reopens for testing, we will retest, and we are confident that we will reach 400 miles or more. But I can already tell you that the Model S that have been produced in the last two months can offer a range of up to 400 miles.β
Meanwhile, the EPA disputed Musk's story and wrote in May: "We can confirm that the EPA tested the car properly, the door was closed and we are happy to discuss any technical issues with Tesla, as we usually do with all automakers."
By the way, EPA ratings do not always accurately reflect the range of cars in real conditions. For example, the 2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo S received an EPA rating of 309 km, and the 2020 Tesla Model S 560 km. But when tested by Car & Driver on the same track in California, the cars showed very close mileage results: in Taycan - 336 km, and Model S - 357.
Source: 3dnews.ru