100 Kilowatt Hour Tesla Models Get European Approval

August 14, 2016, 3:48 PM UTC

4. 2013 Tesla Model S

Entrepreneur Elon Musk has garnered thousands of reservations and a Motor Trend Car-of-the-Year award for his all-electric Tesla Model S. Now he just has to build them. A production shutdown due to supplier problems has put his 2012 goal of 5,000 cars in jeopardy. But Musk says Tesla can assemble 20,000 cars in 2013. If they all sell, the Model S will qualify for more car of the year awards, and Musk will be hailed as a 21st century combination of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison.
Courtesy of Tesla

The Dutch technology blog Kenteken.tv has uncovered documents indicating that Tesla may roll out versions of the Model S and Model X with 100 kilowatt hour batteries, up from the current 90 kilowatt hour maximum size. The revelation comes from Dutch vehicle registration authorities, who have issued approval for Model S and Model X vehicles with 100D and 100X designations to be sold in the European Union.

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According to the registration data, the new versions of the Model S would get 613 kilometers per charge, or about 381 miles. That’s compared to the 346 mile range of the current 90D Model S, as measured by the European NEDC standard. It’s also just shy of the 434 miles you could go in a 2016 Honda Civic with a full 12.4 gallons of gas at about 35 mpg.

However, it’s worth noting that the accuracy of European range standards are hotly debated. The US EPA says the 90D Model S has a range of 302 miles.

According to Engadget, a 100kwh version of the Model X would likely have a shorter range than the equivalent Model S, but still get more than 300 miles per charge.

For more on Tesla and its batteries, watch our video.

This follows recent hints of the 100kwh versions, including hacker Jason Hughes uncovering references to a “P100D” in existing Model S firmware. The “P” in that designation stands for ‘performance,’ meaning such a model would include features like the infamous Ludicrous Mode. The 100 stands for the size of the battery, while the “D” indicates all-wheel drive.

Tesla has not commented on previous hints at forthcoming larger batteries, so all this remains speculative.

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