Tesla Model S waffling

[ZBB]

Originally Posted by lemming

in layman's terms, is the 300mi range of the Tesla S because the battery pack is, for example, triple the size of the one in the Leaf?

or did they also have further innovations in the battery composition or regen?

it's spectacular range, so i'm just curious how they do it.

Mostly battery size.

The "300 mile" version of the Model S has an 85 kWh battery. EPA rating is 265 miles. 300 miles is based on driving 55mph on a flat road, while the EPA uses a 5-cycle test that appears to be fairly realistic -- a lot of people report getting fairly close to the EPA test (unless they are driving >70 and/or uphill and/or in below freezing weather).

The version I'm getting has a 60 kWh battery. EPA rating is 208 miles.

The Leaf has a 24 kWh battery. EPA rating is 75 miles (for the 2013; previously 73 miles)

Comparison here (may need to click on "Mid-Size and Large Cars" to see the Leaf vs Model S comparison:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/evsbs.shtml