Musk: ‘Tesla could do 500 miles now’

Elon Musk says Tesla could today offer a battery electric vehicle with a 500 mile (805km) range between recharges.

But the leader of the globe’s leading electric car company doubts anyone could buy it.

Speaking on the Daily Drive podcast Musk said the extra range would impose too many compromises on the customer.

But he then followed up to suggest the wait wouldn’t be too long before those issues were overcome.

He also theorised most people would be satisfied with a 300 mile (482km) BEV range.

Currently the Tesla Model S Long Range is the BEV on-sale with the best range in the world at 402 miles or 674km as rated on the tough EPA test.

Mercedes-Benz has signalled it wants to challenge that with a 700km-plus range for its new EQS luxury saloon.

“Technically we could make the 500 mile range car right now,” Musk explained.

“We would have to sacrifice … it would add cost and reduce cargo capability.”

However, Musk signalled improvements being made across the BEV technical spectrum meant 500 miles would eventually be achievable without turning off the customer.

“There are increases in the energy density at the cell level and at the pack level and improvements in the efficiency of the drive unit and the tyres and the drag coefficient and the parasitic effect of the HVAC system and other electronics in the vehicle,” he listed.

Back from the cutting edge, Musk said expectations for BEV range were growing over time.

“I think the goal posts are moving,” he said. “I think 250 miles (402km) are currently acceptable for range.

“Over time that will become 260 miles, 270 and long-term I think 300 miles will be what people think is normal for an electric car.”

Some significant Tesla improvements in BEV technology are expected to be reported at its September 22 Battery Day at its Fremont plant in California.

Both battery tech and battery production improvements are expected to feature. Musk has clarified a powertrain update called ‘Plaid’ won’t be part of the day.

We reported on the expectations for the battery day here.