Speed vs. Range: What Is the Sweet Spot for EVs?

Discover the balance between travel time and range by testing a Model Y between 50 and 80 mph and what points to the sweet spot.

Real-world test: speed versus range

A Tesla owner wanted to understand the age-old dilemma between arriving faster and covering more distance without recharging. He conducted a series of tests with a single-motor Model Y on the same 30-mile route, varying speeds between 50, 60, 70, and 80 mph.

With a usable capacity of 75 kWh, he extrapolated the results to estimate what a 200-mile trip would look like and assessed the efficiency in Wh/mi and the estimated range for each speed.

• 50 mph (81 km/h): efficiency of 224.7 Wh/mi; estimated range of 333 miles (536 km); 200-mile trip estimated at about 4 hours.
• 60 mph (96 km/h): estimated range of 300 miles (483 km); 33-mile drop compared to 50 mph; 200-mile journey time reduced by approximately 40 minutes.
• 70 mph (113 km/h): estimated range of 248 miles (398 km); would still allow completing the 200-mile trip without recharging.
• 80 mph (129 km/h): efficiency of 366.2 Wh/mi; estimated range of 204 miles (328 km); time for 200 miles at about 2h30.

What this means

The numbers point to a speed range that balances travel time and range. Between 60 and 70 mph, it is possible to significantly reduce time without sacrificing too much range, according to Carwire's comparison with the single-motor Model Y.

Practical conclusion: the 60 to 70 mph range emerges as the most promising sweet spot for those who need to arrive quickly without running out of energy along the way.

Let us know in the comments: do you prefer to arrive faster or maintain more battery charge during a 200-mile route? At what speed do you usually travel to balance time and range?