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Tesla Model S Plaid at 50% charge pulls faster than supercars, data shows
During the reign of the Tesla Model S Performance, P100D, P90D, and P85D, electric car critics typically pointed out that the flagship sedan could only achieve its peak performance when the car was fully charged. Critics stated that once the top-tier Model S’ battery dropped to about 50%, drivers should expect a notable drop in performance.
The Model S critique was one of the likely reasons why Porsche highlighted the Taycan’s capability to post consistent 0-60 mph and quarter-mile times regardless of its state of charge. Tesla decided to change the narrative with the Model S Plaid’s performance eventually. The company later noted that the flagship sedan could now post consistent performance figures even as its state of charge decreased.
Data from drivers who have taken delivery of the Model S Plaid has since proven Tesla’s claim. But that’s not all. As per a recent video from Brooks Weisblat, from YouTube channel DragTimes, Model S Plaid with only 50% state of charge could accomplish a full quarter-mile run in the mid-9 seconds. With those results, the Model S Plaid is faster than some of the world’s best supercars today and significantly faster than the Porsche Taycan Turbo S.
The DragTimes host was able to get Dragy data from two separate Model S Plaid owners who launched their cars in regular roads. One of the vehicles had a 98% state of charge, while the other only had 50% of its battery charged. Remarkably, the Model S Plaid posted relatively similar times. The vehicle with 98% charge completed the quarter-mile in 9.39 seconds and the car with just 50% battery finished the same run in 9.56 seconds.
Even more notable, the Model S Plaid with 50% battery actually posted a better 0-60 mph time of 2.38 seconds than the vehicle with 98% charge, which posted a 0-60 mph time of 2.42 seconds. The trap speed of the vehicles at the quarter-mile mark was not too far apart either. The vehicle with 98% battery hit the quarter-mile mark at 152.43 mph and the Model S Plaid with 50% battery hit the same mark at 146.64 mph.
Being a drag racing enthusiast, Weisblat has tested some of the world’s fastest supercars on the quarter-mile. Just like the two Model S Plaid owners who posted their Dragy data, the YouTube host also tested a number of supercars on the street for their real-world performance, including the Ferrari SF90, the McLaren 765LT, the Lamborghini Huracan Evo, and the Porsche Taycan Turbo S. Each of these vehicles’ quarter-mile times were not as impressive as the Model S Plaid with 50% state of charge.
The Ferrari SF90, for example, completed its quarter-mile in 9.64 seconds. The McLaren 765LT, one of the supercar maker’s best quarter-mile vehicles, completed the same run in 9.88 seconds. The Lamborghini Huracan EVO, on the other hand, finished the quarter-mile in 10.44 seconds, while the Porsche Taycan Turbo S completed the run in 10.39 seconds. This is an incredible achievement for the Model S Plaid, and it speaks to the vehicle’s consistent performance.
Watch DragTmes‘ video on the Model S Plaid’s real-world quarter-mile times in the video below.
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News
Ford cancels all-electric F-150 Lightning, announces $19.5 billion in charges
“Rather than spending billions more on large EVs that now have no path to profitability, we are allocating that money into higher returning areas, more trucks and van hybrids, extended range electric vehicles, affordable EVs, and entirely new opportunities like energy storage.”
Ford is canceling the all-electric F-150 Lightning and also announced it would take a $19.5 billion charge as it aims to quickly restructure its strategy regarding electrification efforts, a massive blow for the Detroit-based company that was once one of the most gung-ho on transitioning to EVs.
The announcement comes as the writing on the wall seemed to get bolder and more identifiable. Ford was bleeding money in EVs and, although it had a lot of success with the all-electric Lightning, it is aiming to push its efforts elsewhere.
It will also restructure its entire strategy on EVs, and the Lightning is not the only vehicle getting the boot. The T3 pickup, a long-awaited vehicle that was developed in part of a skunkworks program, is also no longer in the company’s plans.
Instead of continuing on with its large EVs, it will now shift its focus to hybrids and “extended-range EVs,” which will have an onboard gasoline engine to increase traveling distance, according to the Wall Street Journal.
“Ford no longer plans to produce select larger electric vehicles where the business case has eroded due to lower-than-expected demand, high costs, and regulatory changes,” the company said in a statement.
🚨 Ford has announced it is discontinuing production of the F-150 Lightning, as it plans to report a charge of $19.5 billion in special items.
The Lightning will still be produced, but instead with a gas generator that will give it over 700 miles of range.
“Ford no longer… pic.twitter.com/ZttZ66SDHL
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) December 15, 2025
While unfortunate, especially because the Lightning was a fantastic electric truck, Ford is ultimately a business, and a business needs to make money.
Ford has lost $13 billion on its EV business since 2023, and company executives are more than aware that they gave it plenty of time to flourish.
Andrew Frick, President of Ford, said:
“Rather than spending billions more on large EVs that now have no path to profitability, we are allocating that money into higher returning areas, more trucks and van hybrids, extended range electric vehicles, affordable EVs, and entirely new opportunities like energy storage.”
CEO Jim Farley also commented on the decision:
“Instead of plowing billions into the future knowing these large EVs will never make money, we are pivoting.”
Farley also said that the company now knows enough about the U.S. market “where we have a lot more certainty in this second inning.”
SpaceX employees, including its CEO Elon Musk, shaded American Airlines on social media this past weekend due to the company’s reported talks with Amazon’s Starlink rival, Leo.
Starlink has been adopted by several airlines, including United Airlines, Qatar Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, WestJet, Air France, airBaltic, and others. It has gained notoriety as an extremely solid, dependable, and reliable option for airline travel, as traditional options frequently cause users to lose connection to the internet.
Many airlines have made the switch, while others continue to mull the options available to them. American Airlines is one of them.
A report from Bloomberg indicates the airline is thinking of going with a Starlink rival owned by Amazon, called Leo. It was previously referred to as Project Kuiper.
American CEO Robert Isom said (via Bloomberg):
“While there’s Starlink, there are other low-Earth-orbit satellite opportunities that we can look at. We’re making sure that American is going to have what our customers need.”
Isom also said American has been in touch with Amazon about installing Leo on its aircraft, but he would not reveal the status of any discussions with the company.
The report caught the attention of Michael Nicolls, the Vice President of Starlink Engineering at SpaceX, who said:
“Only fly on airlines with good connectivity… and only one source of good connectivity at the moment…”
CEO Elon Musk replied to Nicolls by stating that American Airlines risks losing “a lot of customers if their connectivity solution fails.”
American Airlines will lose a lot of customers if their connectivity solution fails
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 14, 2025
There are over 8,000 Starlink satellites in orbit currently, offering internet coverage in over 150 countries and territories globally. SpaceX expands its array of satellites nearly every week with launches from California and Florida, aiming to offer internet access to everyone across the globe.
Currently, the company is focusing on expanding into new markets, such as Africa and Asia.
News
Tesla Model Y Standard stuns in new range test, besting its Premium siblings
Tesla’s newer vehicles have continued to meet or exceed their EPA estimates. This is a drastic change, as every 2018-2023 model year Tesla that Edmunds assessed did not meet its range estimates.
The Tesla Model Y Standard stunned in a new range test performed by automotive media outlet Edmunds, besting all of its Premium siblings that are more expensive and more luxurious in terms of features.
Testing showed the Model Y Standard exceeded its EPA-estimated range rating of 321 miles, as Edmunds said it is the “longest-range Model Y that we’ve ever put on our loop.” In the past, some vehicles have come up short in comparison with EPA ranges; for example, the Model Y’s previous generation vehicle had an EPA-estimated range of 330 miles, but only drove 310.
Additionally, the Launch Series Model Y, the first configuration to be built in the “Juniper” program, landed perfectly on the EPA’s range estimates at 327 miles.
It was also more efficient than Premium offerings, as it utilized just 22.8 kWh to go 100 miles. The Launch Series used 26.8 kWh to travel the same distance.
It is tested using Edmunds’ traditional EV range testing procedure, which follows a strict route of 60 percent city and 40 percent highway driving. The average speed throughout the trip is 40 MPH, and the car is required to stay within 5 MPH of all posted speed limits.
Each car is also put in its most efficient drive setting, and the climate is kept on auto at 72 degrees.
“All of this most accurately represents the real-world driving that owners do day to day,” the publication says.
With this procedure, testing is as consistent as it can get. Of course, there are other factors, like temperature and traffic density. However, one thing is important to note: Tesla’s newer vehicles have continued to meet or exceed their EPA estimates. This is a drastic change, as every 2018-2023 model year Tesla that Edmunds assessed did not meet its range estimates.
Tesla Model Y Standard vs. Tesla Model Y Premium
Tesla’s two Model Y levels both offer a great option for whichever fits your budget. However, when you sit in both cars, you will notice distinct differences between them.
The Premium definitely has a more luxurious feel, while the Standard is stripped of many of the more premium features, like Vegan Leather Interior, acoustic-lined glass, and a better sound system.
You can read our full review of the Model Y Standard below:
Tesla Model Y Standard Full Review: Is it worth the lower price?
Ford cancels all-electric F-150 Lightning, announces $19.5 billion in charges
SpaceX shades airline for seeking contract with Amazon’s Starlink rival
