The Porsche Taycan Comes Up Short on Range
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Porsche touted a range of up to 280 miles when it unveiled the Taycan, but this past weekthe EPA declared that its range was only 201 miles. Even if it had lived up to the promised range, the Taycan’s drivetrain efficiency would have been inferior to that of Tesla’s Model S. Though Tesla critics claim Musk overpromises, the data suggests otherwise. As shown below, the Model 3 outperforms what was announced at its product unveiling.
Why is the EPA’s estimated range so far below Porsche’s? ARK debated and discussed three possibilities:
Follow Sam on Twitter @skorusARK
Porsche touted a range of up to 280 miles when it unveiled the Taycan, but this past weekthe EPA declared that its range was only 201 miles. Even if it had lived up to the promised range, the Taycan’s drivetrain efficiency would have been inferior to that of Tesla’s Model S. Though Tesla critics claim Musk overpromises, the data suggests otherwise. As shown below, the Model 3 outperforms what was announced at its product unveiling.
Why is the EPA’s estimated range so far below Porsche’s? ARK debated and discussed three possibilities:
- Porsche is limiting the battery to 80% of total capacity, as the last 20% of a charge accelerates its rate of degradation. Never having manufactured an EV and uncertain of the battery’s lifespan, Porsche could have made an exceedingly conservative decision.
- The efficiency of Porsche’s drivetrain is much worse than expected.
- With its two-speed transmission, the Taycan is hyper-optimized for quick acceleration and sustained top speeds, making day to day driving around town inefficient.
