Tesla Model S nearing pure-electric range breakthrough

Tesla is tantalisingly close to offering a Model S with a pure-electric range of more than 500km after its facelifted sedan was credited with an official range of 487.95km by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Beating the pre-facelift 85D model’s range by almost 15km, the claimed efficiency gains for the Model S tested come from its new improved aerodynamic nose and latest 90kWh batteries.

The dual-motor P90D Model S achieved an even bigger improvement in its range with the new car now rated by the EPA as having an official range of 435km - 28km more than the P85D Model S it replaces.

With a 100kWh model already rumoured to be in development, the US car maker is now well on the way to releasing a car with a range that will easily surpass 500km before even the end of this year.

The 500km range barrier is significant because German car maker, Audi, has already announced its first-ever pure-electric SUV will have a range of around that when it goes on sale in 2018.

Last year Porsche also confirmed at the Geneva motor show that its Mission E sports sedan would have a range, again, of around 500km.

Within the Volkswagen Group, it’s believed around that distance range anxiety for potential buyers ceases to be a problem as it matches a conventional car.

By introducing a vehicle with range more than 500km up to 18 months before Audi releases what’s expected to be called the Q6, Tesla will steal some of the German SUV’s thunder.