Tesla Model 3: range, battery & charging
Not only does the Tesla Model 3 offer superb range, but it also comes with full access to the amazing Supercharger network
| Model | Range | Wallbox charge time | Rapid charge time |
| Standard Range | 318 miles | 9hrs 15mins (0-100%, 7.4kW) | 25mins (10-80%, 170kW) |
| Long Range | 390 miles | 12hrs (0-100%, 7.4kW) | 27mins (10-80%, 250kW) |
| Performance | 328 miles | 12hrs (0-100% 7.4kW) | 30mins (10-80%, 250kW) |
As electric car battery technology continues to develop at a rapid pace, range anxiety is all but a distant memory. This is especially the case with the Tesla Model 3, as even the entry-level Rear-Wheel Drive variant can exceed 300 miles on a single charge.
What really sets the Tesla apart from its competitors, however, is its full access to the brand’s extensive Supercharger network. While this is slowly being opened up to the general public at a higher cost, Superchargers are amongst the fastest public chargers out there and are incredibly easy to use. All your payment data is stored in your Tesla’s infotainment system, meaning all you need to do is pull up, plug-in and charge away.
Tesla Model 3 range
No matter which version of the Tesla Model 3 you choose, all offer over 300 miles of range on the combined WLTP tests. The base Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive model, with its 318-mile figure, should have legs long enough for most buyers. In fact, during our test drive, the Model 3’s central display indicated an average efficiency of 4.1 miles per kilowatt-hour, which equates to a real-world range of 240ish miles – quite a bit less than Tesla’s claimed figure, but strong nonetheless.
Tesla says the Model 3 Long Range can do up to 421 miles on a single charge, provided you stick with the standard-fit 18-inch alloys, and we’ve got reason to believe that. During our winter tests of the pre-facelift car, we easily managed to average efficiency of around 4.4 miles per kWh; taking into account the old Long Range’s battery size of around 70kWh, this results in a range of 308 miles. With a light right foot and warmer weather, we suspect drivers should easily be able to do 350 miles of driving before needing to plug-in. Officially, though, the Model 3 Long Range’s maximum WLTP combined range stands at 390 miles.
The top-of-the-range Tesla Model 3 Performance had a reduced but still admirable maximum WLTP combined range of 328 miles. Of course, it goes without saying that making use of the insane power and acceleration that’s on offer will quickly have a negative impact on your maximum range.
Charge time
Plug the Model 3 into a V3 or V4 Tesla Supercharger and you can charge from 10-80% in under 30 minutes. Of course, the Model 3’s CCS charging will also allow you to use any other public rapid chargers.
If you're topping up the Model 3 from a standard 7.4kW home wallbox it'll take a little over nine hours to fully charge the base model or 12 hours for the Long Range or Performance version. As with most electric cars, a three-pin cable is supplied, but this is intended for use as an emergency backup rather than as a routine charging solution. It’ll take a couple of days to fully charge the Model 3 from a domestic socket – giving you around 10 miles of range per hour. Charging in this way is clearly not a long-term solution, but can still be useful in a pinch.
