Tesla is leading the charge when it comes to the best battery range for any electric car currently in the market and the forthcoming Model Y is no exception. In their Q4 earnings report for 2019, Tesla projected that the Model Y would achieve 280, which then jumped to 315 miles of range on a single charge, and it wasn’t wrong. The official EPA mileage numbers have been posted on fueleconomy.gov and the Tesla Model Y is slated to achieve 315 miles of range and a combined mileage per equivalent rating of 121.

This means that the Tesla Model Y will be the most efficient all-electric SUV in the market, beating out close competitors like the Hyundai Kona (120 MPGe) and the Chevrolet Bolt (119 MPGe). Other popular electric car models that are currently in the market like the Audi e-tron (74 MPGe) and the Jaguar I-Pace (76 MPGe) don’t even come close.

What is the Tesla Model Y?

For those not in the know, let’s do a quick recap of Tesla’s latest offering. The Tesla Model Y is an all-electric SUV that fits up to seven passengers with an optional third row. In true Tesla form, the Model Y will have a dual-motor AWD setup and be offered in a “Performance” and “Long Range” trim. As you can probably guess, the Performance version will be quicker to 60 mph, with a projected 3.5-second time, while the Long Range version will garner a slower, but still quick, 4.8-second time. Curiously, both trim levels are currently tagged with a 315-mile range.

The interior of the Model Y looks largely the same as all other Tesla models, with a simplistic design and a large 15-inch touchscreen acting as the main command center. However, Tesla does say that the Model Y will have an “elevated seating position and a low dash,” giving the driver a more commanding view of the road. Couple that with the large all-glass roof and drivers can expect a very freeing experience.

Safety is Important

Aside from all of the Tesla technology, the Model Y will uphold to the brand’s safety standards just like all the other models in the current lineup. A low center of gravity is utilized to assist with the handling dynamics and rollover protection, while a rigid body structure and large crumple zones protect occupants during an actual collision. According to Tesla, the Model Y is “designed to be the safest midsize SUV.” Those are some pretty bold words considering how many midsize SUVs are currently in the market.  

When will the Model Y be released?

There is no official release date for the Model Y, however, according to the Tesla website, deliveries should start in March. For now, you can build a Model Y to your desired specifications and put down a $100 deposit. Other iterations of the Model Y including the Long-Range Rear Drive model and the Dual-Motor All-Wheel Drive version should be available for delivery later this year.