Some cars already driven off the dealership lot are about to download extra driving range. Tesla has begun pushing out a software update that increases the range on the 2021 Model 3.
The change appears to be partly an efficiency improvement in the battery pack. Another factor allows the car to display the extra range built into them.
Tesla has improved the battery pack built into the Model 3 several times in its short existence. Most 2021 Model 3 sedans now come with an 82 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery pack. It replaces the 77 kWh version in the 2020 model.
The software update appears to be partially a simple matter of recognizing that. The release notes for the new patch read, in part, “Your Model 3 will now display a slightly higher range to more accurately reflect the capacity of the battery pack.” But owners of cars that carry the 77 kWh model have also noticed changes. Several posted tweets saying that their cars are also displaying a longer range.
Though EV manufacturers do list a driving range for their cars in advertising materials, we should note that the actual range owners observe is different for every car. Many factors influence range, including the options a buyer selects (some add weight, others use more of the battery’s power), temperature, and condition of the tires.
