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Tesla Model S is approaching a 400-mile range, says Elon Musk
CEO Elon Musk said during the Tesla Q4 2019 earnings call that the Model S is getting closer to achieving a 400-mile range as battery technology improves and as important pieces of the puzzle come into play to achieve the ambitious.
One investor asked the Tesla chief when the Models S and Model X will shift from 18650 cells to 2170 cells since this could be the reason why the sales of the pricier electric vehicles in the Tesla garage have stayed flat. Elon Musk explained Tesla’s current rationale for the Model S as follows.
“The core chemistry inside the 18650 cells has improved many times over the years so it’s really the form factor as opposed to a core technology…We’re pretty happy with the energy content, the improvements, and the efficiency of the vehicle. We’re rapidly approaching a 400-mile range for the Model S, for example,” Musk said.
The Model S has an EPA-certified range between 348 miles and 373 miles while the Model X SUV can go between 305 miles and 328 miles on a single charge. Meanwhile, the entry-level Standard Range Plus Model 3 can travel 250 miles on a charge, while the Performance and Long Range AWD variant can go 322 miles. Musk noted that the figures in the Model S and X order pages are actually conservative.
“Actually, the Model S and X actually have more range than we are currently stating on the website. We just haven’t gotten around to updating the EPA-certified number but the actual range of the Model S and X are above what the website says they are,” Musk said.
While Musk did not provide a direct answer when the Model S and X will switch from 18650 to 2170 battery cells or will there really be a need to do that, the Tesla co-founder and chief executive confirmed last November that the company is planning to use a new battery pack for the Plaid Model S and Model X, which features a three electric motor setup.
New hardware incoming.
Integrated inductive phone charger (Qi) for S/X cars.
Two new S/X battery types in several configs (not yet sure of the capacity – TBD)
new lumbar (so new seats?)
New charge port type.
New suspension version.
I would speculate all these are imminent 1/— green (@greentheonly) January 25, 2020
Recently, Tesla community hacker Green spotted two new battery types with several configurations for the Models S and Model X. This could be related to the release of the Plaid variants, as well as upcoming announcements during the Tesla Battery Day that’s tentatively scheduled to happen in April.
During the Q4 2019 earnings call, Musk was also asked what it plans to do with Maxwell Technologies. Tesla completed the acquisition of the company that is focused on batteries and ultracapacitors in May 2019.
The Tesla chief was quick to reply that “It’s an important piece of the puzzle.”
“We’re going to talk about this in battery day which is probably April and then a lot of these questions will be answered. I think it’s going to be a very compelling story,” he said. “I think it’s gonna actually blow people’s minds. It blows my mind,” Musk added.
News
Tesla pushes crazy ‘Luxe’ incentive package on flagship Model S and X
Tesla is pushing more customers to the Model S and Model X with a new incentive package.

Tesla has pushed a crazy new incentive package, known as the “Luxe Package,” on the flagship Model S and Model X, along with a $10,000 price increase on each trim level.
The move aims to likely bolster margins for the company on the two cars while also giving those who choose to buy the Tesla lineup mainstays a variety of awesome advantages, including Free Supercharging, Full Self-Driving, and other add-ons.
Tesla is offering a crazy Supercharging incentive on its two ‘sentimental’ vehicles
Last night, Tesla launched the “Luxe Package” for the Model S and Model X, which includes the following four add-ons:
- Full Self-Driving (Supervised) – Your car will be able to drive itself almost anywhere with minimal driver intervention
- Four-Year Premium Service – Wheel and Tire Protection, Windshield Protection, and Recommended Maintenance
- Supercharging – Charge for free at 70,000+ Superchargers worldwide
- Premium Connectivity – Listen to music, stream movies, monitor live traffic, and more – no Wi-Fi needed
Full Self-Driving is priced at $8,000. Free Supercharging for the life of the car is between $10,000 and $15,000 over the life of the vehicle, although Tesla has valued it at $5,000 in recent promotions.
Free Premium Connectivity is roughly $1,000, and the four-year tire, wheel, windshield, and maintenance plan is about $3,200.
🚨 Tesla increased the price of both the Model S and Model X by $10,000, but both vehicles now include the “Luxe Package,” which includes:
-Full Self-Driving
-Four years of included maintenance, tire and wheel repairs, and windshield repairs/replacements
-Free lifetime… pic.twitter.com/LKv7rXruml— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) August 16, 2025
In all, the value is over $25,000, but this is loosely based on usage.
The Model S and Model X are low contributors to Tesla’s overall sales figures, as they make up less than five percent of sales from a quarterly perspective and have for some time.
As they are certainly the luxury choices in Tesla’s lineup, the Model 3 and Model Y are the bigger focus for the company, as a significantly larger portion of the company’s sales is made up of those vehicles.
The Luxe Package is an especially good idea for those who drive high-mileage and plan to use the Model S or Model X for commuting or long drives. The free Supercharging makes the deal worth it on its own.
As for the price bumps, each of the vehicles are now priced as follows:
- Model S All-Wheel-Drive: $94,990
- Model S Plaid: $109,990
- Model X All-Wheel-Drive: $99,990
- Model X Plaid: $114,990
News
Tesla Roadster could have a formidable competitor with BYD’s 3000-HP supercar
The Roadster is one of the most anticipated vehicles of all time, especially because we’ve all had to wait so long for it. On its own, it will have a 1.9-second 0-60 MPH acceleration rate, which is projected to be better than the 2.3 seconds the U9 Track Edition will offer.

The Tesla Roadster is on the way, and yes, we know we’ve heard that for quite a few years. But when it comes, it might have a formidable competitor, and it might come from no one other than Chinese rival BYD.
BYD’s Yangwang U9 Track Edition is a new configuration of the U9 supercar that hit the Chinese Ministry of Information Technology (MIIT) database recently.
The vehicle was first spotted on the MIIT database by CarNewsChina. It will have a quad-motor powertrain, each dedicated to one wheel. Instead of the 1,287 horsepower that comes with the standard U9 configuration, the Track Edition will have 2,977.
There are only two cars that even come close in terms of horsepower: the Lotus Evija with 1,972 and the Rimac Nevera at 1,914 horsepower. The Tesla Roadster is expected to have somewhere around 1,000 horsepower.
The Roadster is one of the most anticipated vehicles of all time, especially because we’ve all had to wait so long for it. On its own, it will have a 1.9-second 0-60 MPH acceleration rate (without the SpaceX package, which brings the projection to 1.1 seconds), which is projected to be better than the 2.3 seconds the U9 Track Edition will offer.
The Roadster also beats the U9 Track Edition in projected top speed and range. The Roadster could top out at over 250 MPH, compared to the 217 conservative projection for the U9 Track Edition.
Range on the Roadster is 620 miles, beating 280 miles for the BYD.
- Credit: BYD
- Credit: BYD
The U9 Track Edition will also have some additional features compared to its base model. These include some aerodynamic additions, like a carbon fiber rear wing, diffuser, and an adjustable front splitter and adjustable rear wing.
The latter two are optional, but if you have enough scratch to drop on this car, you’re probably adding those two features as well.
We hope that both the Roadster and U9 Track Edition will hit a drag strip, road course, or even a superspeedway for some racing. It would truly be something for EV fans to drool over.
News
Tesla is breaking even its own rules to cap off an intense Q3
Tesla is pulling out all the stops to have a strong Q3 as the EV tax credit will phase out.

Tesla is breaking its own rules by advertising on various platforms in an effort to sell as many cars as possible before the end of the $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit.
Tesla has had a very polarizing perspective on advertising. Over the years, it has taken on different attitudes toward spending any money on marketing. It has instead put those dollars into research and development to make its vehicles more advanced.
Back in 2019, Tesla CEO Elon Musk talked about the company advertising its vehicles and energy products:
Tesla does not advertise or pay for endorsements. Instead, we use that money to make the product great. https://t.co/SsrfOq1Xyc
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 19, 2019
In 2021, in response to analyst Gary Black, who has pushed for Tesla to have a PR or marketing department, Musk said:
Other companies spend money on advertising & manipulating public opinion, Tesla focuses on the product.
I trust the people.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 27, 2021
However, this did not hold as Tesla’s strategy for the long haul. While Musk did resist advertising for a long time, Tesla started placing ads on platforms like X, Google, and YouTube several years back. It’s pretty rare that Tesla pushes these ads, however.
Tesla launches advertising on X in the U.S., expanding ‘small scale’ strategy outlined by Musk
The company’s stance on setting aside capital for advertising seems to be circumstantial. Right now, it is working to sell as many vehicles as it can before the tax credit comes to a close.
As a result, it is pushing some ads on YouTube:
$TSLA is starting to advertise on YouTube. pic.twitter.com/1cwO2KNzJm
— Cole Grinde (@GrindeOptions) August 15, 2025
It’s a move that makes sense considering the timing. With just six weeks roughly left in the quarter, Tesla is going to work tirelessly to push as many cars into customer hands as possible. It will use every ounce of effort to get its products on people’s screens.
Tesla counters jab at lack of advertising with perfect response
Throw in one of the many incentives it is offering currently, and there will surely be some takers.
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