Official Model 3 Performance range specs are out to beat Tesla's own estimates

Tesla recently had to revise the official range estimates of some of its electric vehicles slightly down, as the new EPA range test kicked in.

While the test still consists of a mixed highway and city driving, some of its components have been reworked to address the real-life experience of drivers in various conditions better.

With the brand new Tesla Model 3 Performance, however, the trend is now reversed. The official EPA range estimate for the mighty 500HP trim is out, and it is actually higher than Tesla's own estimates and testing routine that it released the vehicle with.

The EPA now pegs the 2023 Model 3 Performance as capable of hitting 303 miles of range on a charge, with an average consumption of 30 kWh per 100 miles.

Tesla immediately took the new Model 3 Performance range estimate, and updated the range specs on its website upwards.

With the new number, the Model 3 Performance is now in Tesla's pantheon of 300-mile vehicles. That, according to Elon Musk, is the comfortable minimum for affordable EVs, as it balances the battery size and costs with the actual range the average driver needs around a Supercharger network.

As far as the sweet range spot goes, for Elon Musk that is 400 miles on a charge. "There are essentially zero trips above 400 miles where the driver doesn’t need to stop for restroom, food, coffee, etc. anyway," he said when commenting on the Lucid Air or those Chinese EV makers that advertise ranges north of 500 miles but on the way more generous local CLTC cycle.

Get the 80A Tesla Gen 2 Wall Connector with 24' cable on Amazon