Okay, we'll admit that we're not 100 percent, absolutely certain that the upcoming Tesla Model 3 will have more range than the all-electric Chevy Bolt EV. Still, sometimes you have to be willing to do just the simplest of tea-leaf reading and see what Tesla CEO Elon Musk is saying with this Tweet:
@Mr_Ewe_Guy Oh so little faith
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 24, 2017
In response to a question on whether the 3 will indeed beat the Bolt, Musk simply said, "Oh so little faith." We'll take that to mean that the 3 will come with an EPA-approved sticker that shows more than 238 miles, then, especially given Musk's other Tweet today that says that the 3's maximum battery size will be 75 kWh.
@kryniog The shorter wheelbase only allows for a 75 kWh pack in Model 3 at current cell/module energy densities
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 24, 2017
Here's what we're thinking. Previously ,Tesla said the Model 3 would have a range of at least 215 miles. But now that the Bolt EV is here, with its impressive 238 miles of range from a 60-kWh battery, we can see Musk wanting to beat that number.
If everything about the Bolt and the 3 were the same, straight math would say that a 75-kWh pack in the 3 would give you something like 297.5 miles of range. We know that the two cars are not the same, but some educated guessing makes us think that the base 3 will offer something like 240-250 miles of range, and that Tesla will then offer a 75-kWh option to give you around 300. Does that logic work for you?
Of course, it's interesting to note that Musk is – as always – looking to the future, and says that the 75-kWh limit is only accurate "at current cell/module energy densities." The future is being written.
Source: Elon Musk on Twitter, hat tip to Dan Z!
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