Tesla Model S: 1,000 kilometers of autonomy are useless, word of Elon Musk

Tesla Model S: 1,000 kilometers of autonomy are useless, word of Elon Musk

Tesla Model S

An exchange of tweets highlights Elon Musk's thoughts on the autonomy of his Tesla. Asked about the possibility of launching a Tesla Model S with high autonomy and in line with the 500 miles achieved by Lucid Motors, Musk confirmed that Tesla has been able, for a year already, to build a Tesla Model S with 600 miles of autonomy (nearly 1,000 kilometers).

The company has chosen not to follow this path. According to Musk, in fact, to achieve this autonomy (with current technologies) it is necessary to increase the mass of the car too much, compromising the real performance and driving experience guaranteed by the Tesla Model S or other models of this type. For Musk, to date, a 400 mile mileage is more than enough for most motorists.

We could've made a 600 mile Model S 12 months ago, but that would've made the product worse imo, as 99.9% of time you'd be carrying unneeded battery mass, which makes acceleration, handling & efficiency worse. Even our 400+ mile range car is more than almost anyone will use.

- Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 2, 2022



In the future, however, the things could change and a 1,000-kilometer-range Tesla could become a reality. The technological evolution, both of the batteries (which will have to become lighter) and of the motors (which will have to become more efficient), will guarantee new steps forward for Tesla which, when the opportunity arises, will not lose the possibility of further increasing the autonomy of its models, without compromising the driving experience.

if (jQuery ("# ​​crm_srl-th_motorlabs_d_mh2_1"). is (": visible")) {console.log ("Edinet ADV adding zone: tag crm_srl-th_motorlabs_d_mh2_1 slot id: th_motorlabs_d_mh2"); } This future could materialize already in the next few years. The electric car sector is making giant leaps and a further acceleration in technological development cannot be ruled out. For the moment, Tesla, which has no significant news for 2022, will remain at the window and will not chase the title of electric car with the longest range.






Ten Other Cars To Consider Other Than a Tesla Model S

For a long time, the Model S electric sedan has been one of the better choices for people who want an electric vehicle (EV). But now all automakers, both legacy and startup, are getting into the game.


Whether you're going all-electric now or hybrid soon, the competition is getting stiff.

Here's what you get with a Tesla Model S

A 2022 Tesla Model S starts at $94,990. That nets you a dual-motor all-wheel drive system that delivers 670 horsepower and propels you from zero to 60 in 3.1 seconds.


With that powertrain, the EPA estimates a range of 375 miles on a single charge.


The higher-performance Model S Plaid version starts at $129,990. For that price, buyers get a third electric motor that increases horsepower to 1,020 helping to get the car from zero to 60 mph in about 2 seconds.


The company's Supercharger network can add up to 200 miles of range in 15 minutes of charging.


Like all Teslas, the Model S comes standard with automatic emergency braking, collision warning and blind-spot monitoring. Also standard is a Basic Autopilot system that centers the car in a lane and can steer it when proper conditions are met.

The Model S, Tesla's flagship sedan. Tesla Inc.

An additional $12,000 unlocks 'Full Self Driving Capability,' the company's term for an advanced driver assistance system that performs several driving functions but requires the attention of the driver at all times.


A 17-inch infotainment screen provides for some web functionality, but it isn't compatible with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.


With that in mind, here are some cars to consider if you're thinking about buying a Model S.

2022 Lucid AirThe car can come in Eureka Gold, Stellar White or Infinite Black. Lucid Motors

This automotive upstart made a big splash in 2021 by releasing its Lucid Air Dream Edition to the public. The launch edition, offered in Range or Performance variants, was fully reserved and started at $169,000.


Cheaper editions are coming, with the base Air Pure starting at $77,400. Available with either a single-motor, rear-wheel drive or dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain, Lucid's least expensive all-electric sedan is rated for 480 horsepower and 406 miles of range.


Deliveries on the Air Pure are expected to start in the second half of this year for customers placing orders now. The company says that the Lucid Air Dream can charge from empty to 80 percent in just 37 minutes on a DC fast charger.


Lucid's DreamDrive package comes with safety features like blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. The company has indicated that, through a future over-the-air update, Level 3 autonomous driving will be available.


A 34-inch display stretches to combine the gauge cluster and the infotainment screen. The system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQSThe Mercedes-AMG EQS offers performance, power, and fine appointments. Mercedes-Benz USA

The luxury automaker has released its new all-electric sedan for the 2022 model year, pricing it at $102,310 in the U.S. It's EPA-rated for a range of 350 miles.


The base model gets a rear-wheel drive, 245-kW motor that puts out 329 horsepower and 417 pound-feet of torque.


Using a DC fast charger, the EQS can recoup 70 percent of its range in about 31 minutes.


The car comes standard with a suite of safety features, including lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring and forward collision mitigation.


A 17.7-inch infotainment screen is centered on the dashboard. An optional 56-inch long display that Mercedes calls the 'Hyperscreen' is also available, encompassing the gauge cluster, infotainment system and passenger-side screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.

2022 BMW i4Dark accents dominate the exterior of the model. BMW of America, LLC.

The BMW i4 electric sedan is a new entrant to the electric car category. It is expected at dealerships this spring. The lower-tier i4 eDrive40 has a starting MSRP of $55,400. The EPA estimates a range of 301 miles per charge.


The i4 eDrive40 is a single-motor rear-wheel drive car, putting out 335 horsepower. The performance-minded i4 M50 starts at $65,900 and is EPA-rated for up to 270 miles of range. The dual-motor setup nets the driver 536 horsepower.


According to the company, 10 minutes of DC fast charging can restore up to 108 miles of range.


Lane departure warning and forward collision mitigation are standard safety features. Other safety aids, available through the options list, include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitor and automatic parking.


The gauge cluster and the 14.9-inch infotainment screen are joined together to form the company's Curved Display.

2022 Porsche TaycanThe Porsche Taycan can charge faster thanks to new technology. Porsche AG

Released for the 2020 model year, the Taycan comes in 10 different configurations with a base model that starts at $82,700 and comes with an EPA rated range of 225 miles.


Available only in rear-wheel drive, the base model gets 402 horsepower with the standard 79.2-kWh battery pack. The company says that through the car's 800-volt architecture, the battery can be charged from 5 percent to 80 percent in 22.5 minutes.


Standard safety features include front and rear parking sensors, forward collision mitigation and lane keep assist.


The infotainment system is split into two screens. The 10.9-inch upper screen controls navigation and entertainment functions. The lower 8.4-inch screen handles climate control. Apple CarPlay is standard and Android Auto is new for 2022.

2022 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross TurismoThe 2022 Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo at Eagle Mine in Big Bay, Michigan. Porsche AG

Hearkening back to the popularity of the station wagon, the 2022 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo starts at $93,700.


The base Cross Turismo has an EPA-estimated range of 215 miles. A dual-motor setup puts out 469 horsepower.


Like the Taycan sedan, 80 percent charge can be reached from five percent in 22.5 minutes.


Standard safety features like front and rear parking sensors and forward collision mitigation also carry over.


The split-screen setup, with the 10.9-inch upper screen and the lower 8.4-inch screen are also present, as is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

2022 Audi e-tron GTAudi offers its E-Tron GT in two variants. Audi AG

Sharing a platform with the Porsche Taycan, the Audi e-tron GT is new for 2022. The base version starts at $102,400.


The EPA rates the range of the e-tron GT at 238 miles on a single charge. An electric motor power each axle for all-wheel drive, producing 496 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque. In the car's Boost Mode, those numbers are temporarily bumped up to 522 and 472, respectively.


The top-of-the-line e-tron RS GT starts at $142,400. The EPA estimates a range of 232 miles on a full charge. The two electric motors are capable of 637 horsepower and 612 pound-feet of torque.


Using the same architecture as its Taycan cousin, the car can go from 5 percent to 80 percent in 22.5 minutes.


Every e-tron GT comes standard with a blind spot monitor, lane departure warning, parking sensors and forward collision mitigation.


The 10.1-inch infotainment screen is built for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

2022 Volvo S60 RechargeOn a full charge, a 2022 Volvo S60 Recharge can go 22 miles before switching over to the gas engine. Volvo Car USA

Though not fully electric Volvo's S60 plug-in hybrid version starts at just $47,650. When fully charged, the premium sedan has an electric range of 22 miles, but when it runs out of energy, it relies on its gas engine for an EPA-rated 510 miles of total range. A 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine combined with an electric motor puts out 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque.


The battery can be fully charged in three hours on a 220-volt charger or six hours on a 110-volt charger.


Among the advanced driver assistance technology available from Volvo is lane keep assist, forward collision mitigation and blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.


The standard 9-inch touchscreen is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

2022 Volvo S90 RechargeA 2022 Volvo S90 Recharge starts at $61,050. Volvo Car USA

A step up in size from the S60 model, an S90 Recharge starts at $61,050. It too is rated for 22 miles of electric range, pairing the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a rear-mounted electric motor to get 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque.


The company says that charging the S90 can take up to four hours to recharge fully on a 220-volt connection and about 6.5 hours on a 110-volt home outlet.


Volvo offers a slew of standard driver aids, like adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and blind spot monitoring with rear-cross-traffic alert.


The 9-inch touchscreen is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto enabled.

2022 Porsche Panamera E-HybridA 2022 Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid has 18 miles of all-electric range. Porsche AG

The German luxury automaker makes the plug-in variant of its popular sedan available in 10 trim levels, starting with the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid at $105,000.


A turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 and an electric motor gets 462 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. That gives the sedan an all-electric range of 18 miles. A full charge can take about 3 hours on a 220-volt charger.


Standard safety technology includes forward collision mitigation, front and rear parking sensors and lane keep assist.


The car's 12.3-inch infotainment system comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto.

2022 Toyota MiraiThe 2021 Toyota Mirai, the company's hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle. Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc.

The plug-in hydrogen fuel-cell electric Mirai is an option to consider if you live in California or Hawaii, the only places where the car is sold in the U.S. The alternative fuel car starts at $49,500.


The hydrogen is converted to energy through a fuel cell, then runs through an electric motor to make 182 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque.


Filling up the three onboard tanks, holding 5.6 kilograms of hydrogen total, takes about five minutes via a gasoline-pump like filling station


Every Mirai is outfitted with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure mitigation, forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection and lane keep assist.


An Advanced Package gives the driver parking sensors and a 360-degree camera system. A 12.3-inch infotainment screen is configured for Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa.