The Tesla Model S is the long distance EV driving champion in Norway after 32 electric vehicles (EVs) were pushed to their limits in what was billed as the world’s biggest range test. The title comes after the Model S set a long distance EV driving record in winter earlier this year.
The range test was conducted by Norwegian motoring publication Motor.no, who had assembled a wide range of EVs from automakers such as Polestar, XPeng, Nio, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and many more. For this particular test the weather conditions were optimal for EVs, with temperatures ranging from just over 20°C (68°F) in the valleys to around 15°C (59°F) in the mountains and little to no wind, conditions which the publication expected would lead to many of the EVs surpassing their rated range.
As with their previous long distance tests, this summer test put all of the cars on the same route in which they would keep driving until their battery was completely drained. With a WLTP rated range of 634km (394 miles), the Model S was able to exceed that by 6%, coming to a stop after 672km (417 miles) of driving through the Norwegian countryside. Motor.no says this is the furthest an EV has ever driven in their tests.
The next closest competitor was the Polestar 2, which was able to drive 601.7km (373.8 miles) before running out of battery. However, unlike the Model S, this was below the Polestar 2’s WLTP rated range of 615km. Rounding out the top 5 were the Nio ET7 (589km, +1.6%), XPeng G9 (587.8km, +13%), and Nissan Ariya (580.8km, +9%).
Other Tesla vehicles were also tested, including the Model X Plaid, which was able to travel 546km (339 miles), or 0.6% further than its rated range. The Model Y RWD also made an appearance, driving 449km (279 miles, -1.3%) before running out of battery.
At the other end of the results, the worst performer was the Subaru Solterra, which fell short of its rated range by more than 13%, only able to travel 360km (224 miles). Other poor performers were the Jeep Wrangler (363km, -8.1%), BYD Atto 3 (364km, -13.3%), and VW’s ID. Buzz (396km, -2.9%).
With the summer title under its belt, the Model S now how holds two long distance EV driving records in Norway. Earlier this year the electric sedan also came out on top in winter testing, covering 530km (329 miles) on a single charge in temperatures between -10°C and -5°C (14°F – 23°F).
You can see the full results of all 32 EVs here.
