Written by Cláudio Afonso | LinkedIn | X
Tesla has claimed that its Model 3 Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD), which has now arrived in the European markets, is “the most efficient EV available in Europe today”.
In June, Lucid Motors CEO Peter Rawlinson revealed the company had achieved a certified efficiency of five miles per kilowatt-hour (kWh) with the luxury sedan Lucid Air.
Amid the launch of the new variant, Tesla said on X, “Model 3 Long Range RWD has over 700km of range. And it’s the most efficient EV available in Europe today (getting you even further for your money).”
During the Deutsche Bank Global Auto Industry Conference held four months ago, Lucid’s chief executive called it a “major objective” saying the EV maker is now eyeing the six miles per kilowatt-hour goal.
“Today, I’d like to announce that we have finally achieved a major objective. We’ve managed to achieve a certified five miles per kilowatt-hour with one of our products. This is a landmark achievement validated by the EPA,” Rawlinson stated during his presentation.
“Our objective as a company is to get to six miles per kilowatt-hour because nothing less than that is going to save the planet,” he added.
Some weeks later, in early August, Rawlinson said it would take Tesla seven years to achieve the efficiency of the Air sedan as long as the pace of development would be maintained.
If Lucid also keeps the same rate of progress, the comparative chart shows that future models can achieve a MPGe value of about 165 in 2032.
The 2025 versions feature several upgrades aimed at enhancing vehicle efficiency, including a new heat pump system designed for better performance in colder climates.
These models also benefit from improvements to motor and battery design, contributing to enhanced range and faster charging times.
On Wednesday, the well-known automotive content creator Kyle Conner shared a photo from a range test of the Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD, showing 162 miles driven using just 32 kWh of energy, achieving an efficiency of 5.06 miles per kWh.
“Range test update from the Model 3 Long Range RWD 5mi/kWh cruising at 70-mph so far! Still have to complete the loop and it’s never great to rely on in-car sensors but wowowow the efficiency!,” Conner wrote on X.
The Lucid Air Grand Touring now boasts an EPA-estimated range of 512 miles and starts at $110,900. Meanwhile, the entry-level Air Pure, available for $69,000, also incorporates these efficiency improvements and is available for order.
Lucid’s 2025 Air Pure, introduced in July, can achieve 5.0 miles per kWh and has an EPA-rated 146 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe), positioning it as the most efficient EV model globally.
Written by Cláudio Afonso | LinkedIn | X
