Tesla Model Y hits 17,000 feet at Everest base camp averaging 160 miles per charge
Tesla's electric cars have notched another stellar achievement on their belt as a Model Y and Model X - its "affordable" and high-end SUV brands, respectively - have reached where only modified legacy vehicles can drive, Mount Everest base camp. The highest altitude by a car with an internal combustion engine - 6,688m (21,942 ft) was hit by a specially prepared for the task Suzuki Samurai climbing the Ojos Del Salado volcano in the Atacama desert. The modifications are needed as the air gets extremely thin at those heights, choking the engine, while EVs have no such problems.
The highest altitude reached by an electric car, on the other hand, was hit by a Volkswagen ID.4 - 5816m (19081 ft) - again at volcano slopes, but in Bolivia. While not as impressive in terms of heights, Tesla China posted an achievement that its two SUV models pulled off by embarking on a 5-day, 1500-mile journey to reach Everest base camp on the Tibetan side. Needless to say, Tesla used the journey to brag about its extensive Supercharger network in China which now amounts to more than 8,700 units, a lot of which are in remote locations.
For instance, the Model Y and Model X drivers were surprised to find a Supercharger in the Tingri Roof of The World Hotel at the base of Mount Everest which gave them one last last boost needed to reach the camp at 5,200m (17,060 ft). Both Teslas passed the grueling journey with flying colors on the remote mountainous roads, averaging 160 miles of range per charge on the way up in the freezing temps, all the while their drivers sometimes used Tesla's handy Camp Mode to sleep in their cars when there wasn't suitable accommodation nearby.
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