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 the best-selling electric SUV is available with either 56kWh or 75kWh units, with three levels of regenerative braking to help maintain your level of charge when out on the road. That, combined with the energy efficiency Teslas are renowned for, means it’s no surprise that the Model Y boasts one of the longest range figures in its class.
If you hadn’t already heard, Tesla has recently begun to open up its all-encompassing Supercharger network to non-Tesla owners across the UK, with all of 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
The entry-level Model Y with its 283-mile range is the latest addition to the lineup and we think it offers an ideal balance between range and cost-effectiveness. During our time with this version, we were easily able to return over four miles per kilowatt-hour (kWh), which results in a range of around 225 miles. With a steadier right foot, we reckon you could get even closer to Tesla’s claimed figure.
Next is the Tesla Model Y Long Range which has an official range of up to 331 miles – 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.
Our test car was fitted with those 20-inch alloy wheels, and during our time with the Model Y Long Range it returned 3.8 miles per kWh, which equates to a real-world range of 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 but, because of its extra performance, range is slightly reduced to 319 miles. That’s still a pretty strong figure, though 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 latest 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.
