Tesla Model Y: range, battery & charging
The Model Y boasts superb range and charging speeds, with full access to Tesla's Supercharger network being the icing on the cake
| Model | Range | Wallbox charge time | Rapid charge time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model Y | 283 miles | 9hrs 15mins (0-100%, 7.4kW) | 25mins (0-80%, 170kW) |
| Long Range | 331 miles | 12hrs (0-100%, 7.4kW) | 27mins (0-80%, 250kW) |
| Performance | 319 miles | 12hrs (0-100%, 7.4kW) | 27mins (0-80%, 250kW) |
Tesla likes to remain coy about a lot of things, including the size of the Model Y’s battery packs. However, industry stats tell us that this best-selling electric SUV is available with either 56kWh or 75kWh units. In order to maximise range when you’re on the road, there are three levels of regenerative braking to choose from. This, combined with the energy efficiency that Teslas are renowned for, means it’s no surprise that the Model Y still boasts one of the longest range figures in its class.
Tesla’s Supercharger network is now available to non-Tesla owners across the UK, with the latest V4 chargers being available to anyone with a compatible EV. While this might appear to make owning a Tesla lose some of its lustre, it’s worth remembering that most EV drivers still don’t have access to the full network, nor do they get the same reduced charging prices as Tesla owners – unless they pay a monthly subscription fee, that is.
Tesla Model Y range
We think the entry-level Rear-Wheel Drive Model Y offers the ideal balance between range and cost-effectiveness. We saw an average efficiency of over four miles per kilowatt-hour (kWh) when testing this version in a range of situations, which equates to a real-world range of around 225 miles. Go easy on the accelerator pedal and we think you’ll get pretty close to Tesla's official 283-mile figure.
Of course, the Tesla Model Y Long Range claims the most miles with its claimed 331 miles maximum – one of the strongest figures in this segment. Strangely, though, that’s only if you choose to opt for the larger 20-inch alloy wheels; Model Y examples with the standard 19-inch alloys are supposedly capable of up to 351 miles before the battery runs flat.
When we tested the Long Range, our car was fitted with these aforementioned 20-inch alloy wheels, and it managed to return 3.8 miles per kWh. This is equivalent to a real-world range of around 285 miles. It’s worth noting, however, that we did cover a lot of motorway miles, so it’s possible that you could get even more range if you’re intending to spend most of your time driving around town.
Finally, there’s the Model Y Performance, which uses the same 75kWh battery as the Long Range version. Because of its extra performance, though, range is slightly reduced to 319 miles. This is still a pretty strong figure, but you can expect your level of charge to plummet if you decide to make use of all the extra power that’s on offer.
Charge time
The base Model Y has a maximum charging speed of 170kW, but thanks to its slightly smaller battery you’ll only need around 25 minutes to charge up from 10-80% at one of Tesla’s V4 Superchargers. Long Range and Performance models get faster 250kW maximum rapid-charging speeds so, despite having a larger battery, they only take two minutes longer to complete the same charge.
Fully recharging the entry-level Model Y’s 57.5kWh battery will take just over nine hours from a standard 7.4kW home wallbox, but that extends to nearly 12 hours if go for either the Long Range or Performance model.
