The Tesla Model 3 is up there with the best electric cars on sale thanks to its impressive range, cutting-edge tech and advanced features.
Of course, the pick of the bunch is the self-driving capability, which owners are excited to use once the feature is up to scratch and the law catches up.
And if you’re in the market for a Tesla’s smaller saloon, you’ll probably be looking into the Model 3 range and battery capacity stats.
)
Beyond official range figures, real-world factors like temperature, road speed and other conditions affect efficiency, so you need to know the facts before you take the plunge.
Spoiler alert: the Model 3 is one of the most efficient EVs out there, so you’re onto a good one, but keep reading to find out all you need to know about Model 3 range and battery capacity.
)
How much range does a Tesla Model 3 have?
A used Tesla Model 3 will have a claimed range of between 254 miles and 436 miles, depending on exactly which version you go for.
This popular electric saloon is one of the most efficient out there, both on paper and in real-world driving, so achieving those figures shouldn’t be too challenging.
Two big reasons for this are its slippery design and the advanced batteries and motors Tesla uses.
We’ve driven thousands of miles in a Model 3 RWD, including driving in all seasons both in the UK and Europe, and found it got pretty close to its claimed range most of the time.
In terms of stats, ours has averaged 240Wh/mi, which is about 4.2mi/kWh and is extremely impressive.
Like any electric vehicle (EV), external factors like temperature and how fast you’re driving can have a big impact on the range of your Model 3.
How much battery capacity does a Model 3 have?
Just like any other manufacturer, Tesla has used different batteries over the years to keep up with tech development, making sure its cars are always as efficient and durable as they can be.
The earliest Standard Range cars had 53.1kWh batteries, but some Long Range cars have had batteries as big as 82kWh – more than a 50% increase over the cheaper Model 3.
From RWD to Performance, here are the ranges for each Model 3.
)
Model 3 RWD
Range: 254-344 miles
Capacity: 53.1-60kWh
The RWD is the base-spec Model 3 and is the version that’s seen the biggest change in battery sizes, so it also has a wide spectrum of claimed ranges.
This is the most affordable Model 3 to buy new, and that’s generally reflected in used car prices. It’s gone by a few names over the years, including Rear-Wheel Drive, RWD, Standard Range, Standard Range Plus and simply Model 3.
Earlier cars claimed 254 or 278 miles between charges from 53.1kWh and 55kWh batteries, respectively, but a later 55kWh battery was more efficient and brought in a longer 308-mile range.
‘Highland’ cars (which is what Tesla calls the most recent Model 3 facelift from late 2023) are more efficient still, so Tesla reckons they’ll do 344 miles between charges from a new 60kWh battery.
)
Model 3 Long Range RWD
Range: 373-436 miles
Capacity: 78.1-78.8kWh
This is the sweet spot for anyone trying to maximise their mileage because it gets the bigger battery from the dual-motor AWD model but only drives the rear wheels with one motor, using less energy.
Available for a short period on pre-facelift cars in 2019, it used a 78.8kWh battery for a 373-mile range.
This configuration was reintroduced to the facelifted car in late 2024 with a 78.1kWh battery – range went up to 436 miles.
Given that the new battery pack is actually slightly smaller, the huge range increase of the Highland Model 3 shows how efficient it is.
)
Model 3 Long Range AWD
Range: 348-421 miles
Capacity: 75-82kWh
This is one of the most popular trims because it unlocks a lot more performance and range without breaking the bank. It’s been known as AWD Long Range and Dual Motor Long Range over the years.
Over its time on sale, range has increased from 348 miles to 360 miles, then from 382 miles to 396 miles.
The Highland update brought about major efficiency improvements, taking the range all the way up to 421 miles.
Now, it has a 78.1kWh battery, and that’s been in place since late 2021.
Before that, a handful of other capacities were sold, including an 82kWh unit, a 75kWh model, and one with a 78.8kWh battery.
)
Model 3 Performance
Range: 328-352 miles
Capacity: 78.1-82kWh
As the name suggests, performance is this car’s key selling point, but its big battery also helps it travel long distances between charges.
Range varies from 329 to 352 miles on older cars. The facelifted car has a claimed figure of 328 miles, but it’s also the fastest to date.
With a more powerful twin-motor setup, this is the quickest Model 3 you can buy, but it uses the same familiar 78.1kWh battery as other long-range versions.
Previously, it came with an 82kWh battery and a 78.8kWh pack.
)
What affects range in a Model 3?
If you’re used to driving a petrol or diesel car, you’ll probably be aware that there are more factors that determine the real-world range and efficiency of a Model 3.
Thankfully, Tesla has outlined a range of factors to consider if you want to maximise your range:
Driving speed – high speeds and lots of accelerating and decelerating uses more energy
Weather – very hot/cold climates make the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-con) work harder
Strong winds – it takes more energy to drive into strong winds
Elevation – driving uphill uses more energy (although you can use regenerative braking to get some energy back on the way down)
Air resistance – rolling down the windows and using things like bike racks made the car less streamlined
Weight – a car full of passengers or luggage takes more energy to move
Tyres – the wrong tyres or tyres at the wrong pressure increase road resistance
Preconditioning – warming up the car from the app uses some energy
Sentry Mode – Tesla's in-built CCTV system for while you're away from your car uses a fair chunk of power
)
How to get the most range out of your Tesla Model 3
Tesla has also considered how drivers can get the most miles per kWh from their Model 3, as outlined below:
Driving more gently – you can reduce the throttle responsiveness with Chill Mode, much like other cars’ Eco modes
Regenerative braking – use the car’s regenerative braking system to add some charge back into the battery rather than using the brake pedal, which uses the brake pads
Economical use of the climate control – avoid using extremely hot or cold temperatures on the climate control
Precondition when charging – if you set the climate when the car’s still plugged in, it’ll use mains power rather than battery energy
Proper maintenance – ensure your wheels are aligned and tyres have sufficient tread depth to minimise road resistance
Use the Aero wheel covers – all Model 3s have alloy wheels, but some have Aero covers (like wheel trims) that you can fit over these to reduce wind resistance
Remove unnecessary load – Keep your boot empty to avoid having to drive around with extra weight
Disable unnecessary features – Turn off Sentry Mode at safe locations like home
All batteries degrade over time – whether it’s your car, laptop or phone – so the amount of charge it holds reduces over time. This means your range will go down slightly, but you don’t need to worry. this is a natural process that affects cars as much as it does laptops and smartphones. It’s natural to see a gradual decrease in maximum range over a period of years.
Firstly, Tesla has built-in safeguards that will alert you if your Model 3 is experiencing excessive battery or range degradation.
The Model 3 has an eight-year battery degradation warranty, guaranteeing it’ll maintain at least 70% of its charge after this period.
RWD cars with the smaller battery have a limit of 100,000 miles. The bigger batter, present in RWD Long Range, AWD Long Range an Performance versions, is covered for 120,000 miles.
Your Tesla’s built-in computer will also help you charge it to the right amount to preserve its health (depending on the type and age of battery, it might be best to charge to 80% or 100%) by showing the perfect amount of charge on screen.
)
Explore used Tesla Model 3 cars for sale
Now that you understand how the Tesla Model 3’s range and battery capacity can differ across various trim levels and model years, you’re better equipped to make an informed decision.
Whether you’re after an affordable and efficient single-motor model for daily driving and commutes or one with a bigger battery for road trips, we have loads of used Tesla Model 3 for sale.
Even better is that you can pick up a bargain for comfortably under £20,000, or less than half the price of a brand-new Tesla Model 3.
Ready to hit the open road?
Let’s find your next car
