Tesla has quietly adjusted the official EPA range of the Model 3 Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) in the United States, lowering it slightly from 363 miles to 357 miles. The company has also started notifying existing order holders of the update.
The six-mile decrease isn’t likely the result of any hardware change to the Model 3 LR RWD itself. Instead, it appears to stem from updated EPA testing procedures or revised rating rules. Tesla hasn’t indicated any modifications to the battery pack or drivetrain, which suggests the vehicle’s real-world performance should remain effectively the same as before.
Industry watchers noted the minor change after it appeared on Tesla’s website this week. While small, the adjustment arrives at an interesting time for the automaker. Just days ago, Tesla launched its longest-range Model 3 to date in China — the Model 3 “Plus,” offering a CLTC-rated 830 km of range. That figure roughly equates to the U.S. Model 3 LR RWD’s prior 363 miles on the EPA cycle.
The range revision also follows Tesla extending estimated delivery timelines for both the Model 3 and Model Y across many U.S. states last week. Demand for the all-electric sedan continues to swell as buyers in the U.S. rush to qualify for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit before it expires at the end of this quarter.
Meanwhile, in Canada, Tesla earlier this week sweetened the deal for buyers by offering free lifetime Supercharging on all Model 3 inventory orders.
For now, the Model 3 LR RWD remains Tesla’s most compelling balance of long-distance driving and affordability in the U.S. market, and the slight range adjustment won’t likely change that position.
