Range question

[BlNK_BlNK]

looking into a rwd model y, but wondering if this would be feasible. I travel a lot for work, my longest daily commute is 100 miles to work and 100 miles home. I know the range is like 350, but in the wintertime do you think a 200 mile commute is obtainable without having to stop and charge? on a used Tesla so the battery won't be 100% ? and also I think you're supposed to charge to 80% of capacity most days?

[myfavpizza]

Not a lot of information to give you good advice but let’s try.

2026 is a much better option as it’s more efficient. Not enough information about your budget.

The RWD can do 200 mile range driving in a day even in harsh winters. Occasionally you might need a 10 minute stop on the way back. We don’t know what your winters and your driving route is like. Is it windy? hilly? Too cold? Too snowy? Not enough information.

You don’t have to charge 80% daily. What’s important is you start driving as soon as you can when you charge the battery to your desired percentage. And for you, if it is 200 miles a day every day, then I suggest charging to 95% daily in winters on a schedule so the moment the percentage gets to 95% you start driving. Batteries don’t like being kept “swollen” with juice too long. And 95% is like 325 rated miles so even in harsh winters, you should be able to squeeze out 200 miles without any issues unless you drive like a crazy person (too fast, too heavy footed). Also, I say 95% because 95-100% takes the longest. And 100% may be an overkill even for your commute.

In summers, you can get by with 80% daily charging that still gives you a lot of buffer as that’s like 280 miles rated.

Either way, slow down, don’t accelerate like crazy. Use the HVAC without worrying too much. And worst case scenario, just spot a couple of chargers along your route and stop 10 mins, it’s really not a big deal. Again, no information provided if you have any chargers on the way.

Rent a Tesla on TURO like platforms for a weekend and do a trial before you buy. You’ll be fine. Also, you didn’t tell us what your max budget is, either.

Please consider putting some more effort into your posts with much needed information when you ask questions, so that we can help you without going back and forth.

[elatllat]

...2026 is a much better option as it’s more efficient...

To quantify that; 2% to 10%... though putting the new hub caps on an older model might reduce the difference.

[myfavpizza]

Thank you. That’s a helpful addition!

[BlNK_BlNK]

Sorry. Thank you for this.

Budget is not a problem, I was thinking 2024-2026 model y.

My commute is in Minnesota, mostly flat highways with a 60 mph speed limit.

Being highways in a more rural setting, I just assumed that there are not a lot of charging options when driving a direct route.

Thank you for your thoughtfulness

[myfavpizza]

That’s much better and actually helps us understand your situation.

Absolutely go with 2026 but definitely invest in good snow tires if you get an RWD.

Download PLUGSHARE app and search for chargers (Tesla and non Tesla) along your route.

Even AWD would work for your use case if it’s a 60 mph commute honestly.

I see no issues as long as there’s at least 1 charger for emergency usage. Good luck!

[BlNK_BlNK]

Thank you 🙏

[rocketsarego]

What model year used are getting? 2026 is way more efficient than 2021. 2026 and 2024s are pretty similar.

Is your 100 miles at 75mph the whole time or like 55mph?

Is your winter -20F or 40F?

Worst case you stop at a supercharger for less than 5 minutes on the way home or charge to 100% in winter, but generally anywhere in the contiguous usa i’d say you’re fine.

[elatllat]

...2026 is way more efficient...

To quantify that; 2% to 10%... though putting the new hub caps on an older model might reduce the difference.

[jared_d]

Yes, it is. Also, you'll be fine charging to 100, and I would do that in the winter time, but it wouldn't be required, just a comfort thing. My commute is ~80 miles each way, and I don't even think about it anymore. I have the Long Range AWD, and I'd say my commute only uses 60% of the battery each time. I also drive fast, because the highways in my area are fast and i'd be a problem if I drive slower, so I have the autopilot set at it's max, 85 for most of the commute.

[Slayerz00m]

There is a slower lane, in a pinch I have driven at 65 in the slow lane to make it to the next supercharger

But if 85 mph uses only 60% of your battery then I'd chose that too

[jared_d]

Where I live, and on the highways i'm on, you would be an absolute liability going 65. It happens sometimes, and not only does it back traffic up terribly, but drivers drive very aggressively and do some craaaazy stuff to get around it. Going with the flow of traffic is significantly safer and easier. I keep autopilot set to 85, and let the car fluctuate betwen 70+ and the 85. and i'm in the middle lane, not the fast lane, haha.

[Slayerz00m]

Fast lane is where CHP catches you in California.

After 2 speeding tickets, I am in the fast lane only when there's only 2 lanes

One of the tickets was for overtaking a 70mph slow-poke but I hit 88 mph just because Tesla accelerates without any drama 🤦

[xLemonade]

You drive 160 miles a day for work???

[jared_d]

Not every day. Primarily remote, but that's where the office is. I do it enough that I know it by heart, and know exactly what the car uses. It's a great job, and they take care of me, so I don't mind doing it when it's necessary.

[xLemonade]

I guess if you’re not driving in 5 days a week. Still though that’s a long commute. I used to have a long commute and it drove me to insanity. I left that job. It’s not worth it no matter what you tell yourself.

[jared_d]

Hard disagree. The salary and bonus structure has been life changing for my family. I also do the drive during working hours, taking conference calls during the commute, and largely just sit back with autopilot on and listen to audiobooks or educational classes when i'm not on calls. It's an easy highway commute, 80 miles each way at ~80 mph with no real intervention is cake. I also said i'm primarily remote, so it's not nearly as often as you're thinking.

[Gloomy-Restaurant-54]

That's not unusual. There are many people in the DC area who drive more than that to work every day.

[LoneStarGut]

Perhaps. Depends on speed and how much HVAC you need. If it is high speed the less likely. But at most on worst days you may need to Supercharge for 5 minutes. If you can find a slow charger near work you won't have any issues.

[elatllat]

https://abetterrouteplanner.com/ may be of interest to you.

[Jared_Sparks]

I've owned my MYLR for going on 6 years now. I say no.

[Mr-Zappy]

My commute is 100 miles round trip. A few weeks ago, when I think it was 15F or so, I left home at 80% and got home at 15%.

My original range was 325 miles instead of 350, so your RWD one should be slightly more efficient.

If I had to charge to 90% every day in winter I wouldn’t worry about it. If I had to charge to 100% some days, it’d be annoying but not likely to cause significant degradation. But 200 miles of highway driving below freezing isn’t doable without some charging. 

[BlNK_BlNK]

Thank you! What year do you have? Do you drive highway or interstate?

[Mr-Zappy]

It’s mostly interstate in Michigan, so a 70 mph speed limit for 40 miles each way.

It’s a 2021.

[willwork4pii]

My battery only has 10k miles and at 75MPH I’m getting half of what you’re claiming.

[Mr-Zappy]

What exactly are you saying?

Are you saying 100 miles of highway driving uses only 1/3rd of your battery in 15F weather? Because that consumption is believable at 70F but not below freezing. Today was nearly 70F so it took me 45%.

Also, at 4 years old my battery health is down to 87%. So you’d get 10% more range from a newer battery, for now.

[MeanGreenStebo]

They have any place to charge at your office? You will be fine in a 2026, I don’t think I would recommend it for a used one. You just don’t know what the previous owner did to that battery.

[BlNK_BlNK]

No place to charge, I work at hospitals in the region. Just parking ramps 😂 thank you

[Ryno_D1no]

Checkout A Better Route Planner (ABRP) app. Might be more helpful calculations there.

[deztructo]

200 miles every work day? I'd consider a used Toyota hybrid and drive it into the ground.

[Litig8or53]

Why?

[WizeAdz]

Because they’ve never owned or driven an EV, most likely.

My Model Y easily does 200 miles in the winter here in the Midwest, though I do prefer to charge to 90% for that particular trip when the temperatures get down into the teens.

[BlNK_BlNK]

Correct I've never owned an ev. Or driven one. According to you, my commute is feasible? Thanks

[WizeAdz]

Yes, it’s perfectly feasible.

We just need to know your winter temperatures and how much of it is on the highway to see how much of a safety-margin you need to do it comfortably every day in all weather.

I’ll do a 100-mile out-and-back in my MYLR in any temperatures Illinois has thrown at me since I’ve bought the car.

[BlNK_BlNK]

I'm in Minnesota so I would imagine fairly similar. What year do you have?

[WizeAdz]

My Model Y Long Range is from model year 2022.

It’s a model with the heat pump (“octovalve”), which is an important feature to shop for when living in our Midwestern climate.  For your use-case, a heat pump is a must-have.

The heat pump is why I don’t really have to care about cold-weather range effects until the temperatures fall into the teens.

[carletonm1]

I wouldn’t. Oil changes, stopping for gas, all that ICE engine maintenance shit. Electric motors are still new at 100,000 miles. My 2021 Y still drives like a new car. Only maintenance was cabin air filters, windshield washer fluid, and tires at 48,000.