Connect with us

Lifestyle

Tesla Model S, Model 3 set hypermile records: 701 mi. (1128 km) and 623 mi. (1001 km), respectively

[Credit: nextmove/YouTube]

Published

on

German car rental company nextmove recently set a new hypermile record for the Tesla Model S, traveling a total of 701 miles (1,128 kilometers) on a single charge over more than 30 straight hours of driving at the DEKRA test circuit at Lausitzring in Brandenburg, Germany.

Being a car rental company, nextmove was quite familiar with Tesla’s electric cars. The company selected the Model S 100D as its car of choice for its hypermile attempt, and as could be seen in the video, a set of classic Aero Wheels for the full-sized all-electric sedan was also fitted on the vehicle. In a way, selecting the Model S 100D for the task is strategic, considering that the variant of the electric car has the highest EPA rating among Tesla’s offerings at 335 miles (539.1 km) per charge. In comparison, the EPA has a rating of 315 miles for the Model S 100D’s faster sibling and world’s quickest production car – the P100D.

The nextmove team was deliberate in its hypermile attempt to overtake the previous hypermile record set by another Model S 100D after it drove 670 miles (1,077 km) on a single charge. Last year’s feat, which was accomplished by Tesla Owners Italia, ultimately confirmed Elon Musk’s statement on Twitter that with the right tires, the Model S should be able to travel 1000 km in one charge. During its run, Tesla Owners Italia’s Model S 100D maintained an average of 91 Wh/km. On the latter parts of the journey, however, the electric car became even more efficient, hitting 88 Wh/km during the final 77 km of driving.

During nextmove’s recent attempt, the team immediately went for an average of 88 Wh/km, traveling at a constant speed of 38 kph (23.6 mph). According to nextmove Managing Director Stefan Moeller, the company’s car rental activities ultimately became practice for its record-setting hypermile run.

“As an electric car rental, we know many models very well from everyday practice. So we had a good sense of how long we could delay the ride in the end, without lying down. We managed to drive the Model S completely empty and come to a stop in the base camp directly at a loading facility,” he said.

Advertisement

The feat, however, did not come without challenges or discomforts. The hypermile attempt lasted a total of 31 hours, and to save on battery life, the vehicle’s windows were mostly closed and opened only for ventilation. No air conditioning was used, and the Model S 100D’s radio was not turned on as well. Autopilot was briefly used during the run, though nextmove stated that most of the steering was done by its drivers. Cruise control was utilized to control the vehicle’s speed to just 38 kph. By the time the drive was completed, the Model S 100D had traveled 1,128 kilometers (701 miles), with an average efficiency of 89 Wh/km.

A Tesla Model S 100D with Aero Wheels recently set a new hypermile record. [Credit: nextmove]

The quality of its battery packs and its vehicle’s range are among Tesla’s main strengths. Apart from the Model S, the nextmove team also set another record for the Model 3, traveling 623 miles (1,001 km) in a single charge. Unlike the Model S, however, the Model 3 accomplished its feat entirely on Autopilot, with a dummy on the driver’s seat simulating a driver.

While hypermiling does not really depict real-world driving scenarios, it is still quite impressive to see how far electric cars could travel when their efficiency and battery life are pushed to the limit. Earlier this year, two Tesla owners, Denver Tesla Club president Sean Mitchell and Erik Strait, a fellow Tesla owner and host to a popular YouTube channel, managed to squeeze as much as 606.2 miles (975.58 km) from a Model 3. Unlike nextmove, which did its hypermile run on a closed circuit, the two Tesla enthusiasts conducted their drive on public roads, simulating a more realistic driving scenario.

Watch nextmove’s record-setting hypermile run on the Tesla Model S 100D in the video below.

Advertisement

Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

Advertisement
Comments

Lifestyle

Tesla brings perhaps the coolest interior feature to cars in latest update

Tesla adds on to the “fun” aspect of its vehicles.

Published

on

Credit: Tesla

Tesla has brought perhaps the coolest interior feature to its cars in a new update that is rolling out to vehicles now.

The feature will require a newer vehicle that has interior ambient lighting, which is present on the new Model S, Model X, Model 3 “Highland,” and Model Y “Juniper.” The Cybertruck also has ambient lighting strips throughout.

Tesla Model Y’s ambient lighting design changes revealed in leaked video

With the Version 2025.26+ Software Update, Tesla is rolling out a new “Sync Accent Lights w/ Music” feature, which is available on the Tesla Toybox:

To enable the feature, you’ll access the Toybox, choose “Light Sync,” and then choose “Sync Accent Lights w/ Music.”

Although it does not improve the performance of the vehicle, it is yet another example of Tesla making one of the coolest cars out there. This is truly a cool add-on that can be used to impress your friends and family.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Elon Musk

xAI, Musk Foundation helps schools near Memphis supercomputer site

Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.

Published

on

xAI-supercomputer-memphis-environment-pushback
(Credit: xAI)

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI and the Musk Foundation have been supporting Memphis-Shelby County Schools with HVAC repairs and facility upgrades, while also funding youth programs for students in the area. 

Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.

xAI’s school visits lead to facility repairs

Representatives from xAI visited John P. Freeman Optional School, Fairley High School, and Westwood High School, all of which are located near its Colossus supercomputer site, to assess HVAC systems, plumbing, gym facilities, and athletic fields. The visits resulted in a list of priority repairs, some of which were completed in April and May.

In addition to the repairs, xAI also shared a number of initiatives that are planned for students in the area, as stated in a Commercial Appeal report.

“xAI is working on providing STEM workshops for local students, donating equipment to technical training programs, and supporting job fairs to boost employment opportunities. These initiatives reflect xAl’s commitment to fostering education and economic growth in Memphis,” xAI noted in a statement.

Advertisement

Musk Foundation donation

Apart from xAI, the Musk Foundation also donated $350,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis, enabling the reopening of two club sites located at Booker T. Washington High School and Westwood High School. Both locations had closed earlier this year due to lapses in funding. As per xAI, the Musk Foundation’s donation allows clubs to reopen for almost 1,000 students. 

The donation will fund staffing, supplies, and transportation, among others. “Kids are the future of humanity,” Elon Musk said in a statement, adding that students need “every chance to shoot for the stars.”

“We’re honored to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis in reopening these sites, giving kids in underserved communities the tools to build brighter futures,” Musk said.

The gift was praised by local officials, including Boys & Girls Clubs board chair Michael Garriga, who stated that the “commitment will ensure the youth of our community have the opportunities they need to develop their skills and talents to become successful students and future citizens.”

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Lifestyle

EV fans urge Tesla to acquire Unplugged Performance for edge in fleet and security industry

Unplugged Performance has built a name for itself by producing performance upgrades for Tesla vehicles.

Published

on

Credit: Unplugged Performance

A growing number of Tesla enthusiasts and longtime community voices are calling on the electric vehicle maker to acquire Unplugged Performance, a California-based aftermarket company best known for tuning Tesla vehicles and developing specialized government fleet solutions under its UP.FIT division.

The idea was once considered a niche proposal among EV fans, but it is now gaining serious attention not just as a performance play but as a strategic move to deepen Tesla’s roots in the fleet and security industry. 

A strategic fit

Unplugged Performance has built a name for itself by producing performance upgrades for Tesla vehicles, from track-optimized components to visual and aerodynamic upgrades. But in recent years, its UP.FIT division has pivoted toward a more functional future by outfitting Tesla vehicles like Model Ys for police, military, and government use.

That work has sparked growing calls for closer collaboration with Tesla, especially as the EV maker increasingly leans into autonomy, AI, and fleet services as core components of its next chapter.

“I posted this four years ago, but I think it’s more true now than ever,” wrote Whole Mars Catalog, a well-known Tesla investor and FSD Beta tester, on X. “Tesla should buy Unplugged. But not just as a Performance division. What they are doing with UP.FIT unlocks large government and commercial fleet purchases that can improve utilization.”

Advertisement

Tesla fans such as shareholder Sawyer Merritt echoed the sentiment, calling Unplugged a “great fit within Tesla.” adding, “They are literally located directly next to Tesla’s design studio in Hawthorne.”

Enabling the next wave

Supporters of the idea noted that integrating Unplugged into Tesla’s corporate structure could help accelerate the adoption of autonomous technologies in government sectors. With UP.FIT patrol cars already in use across some U.S. police departments, Tesla fans envisioned a future where self-driving Teslas could potentially revolutionize law enforcement, search-and-rescue, and public service logistics.

“Just imagine how autonomous patrol cars could transform policing and bring us into a safer future,” the veteran FSD tester wrote.

The benefits could also extend to Tesla’s existing consumer base. “They also have some incredible products in the works that I think will appeal to many ordinary Tesla drivers — not just those looking for performance or mods. Stuff that’s so good it should have come straight from the design studio next door,” Whole Mars Catalog noted.

Unplugged Performance, founded in 2013, shares not just a product vision with Tesla, but also geography. Its Hawthorne headquarters sits directly adjacent to Tesla’s design studio, and the two companies have maintained a close working relationship over the years. The aftermarket firm has long positioned itself as a “mission-aligned” partner to Tesla.

Advertisement

In response to the recent calls for acquisition, Unplugged Performance acknowledged the support from the community. “Our very existence is to support the Tesla mission with @UpfitTesla and @UnpluggedTesla,” Unplugged CEO Ben Schaffer posted on X. “We love working with Tesla and are grateful for the community’s support since 2013!”

Continue Reading

Trending