Stefan Moeller from EV car rental nextmove and the experienced Tesla driver Hans Kurtzweg have made the ultimate Autobahn range test: The Tesla Model S Raven Performance competes in the comparison test against the Porsche Taycan 4S with large battery. The nextmove home track is the highway circuit around Leipzig, which is the reference for numerous range tests of the company.
The test takes place on a rather windy day. To create equal opportunities, both electric cars are warmed up. The Porsche Taycan is on 20-inch winter wheels, while the Tesla Model S has a slight advantage thanks to 19-inch winter wheels.
The target speed is 120 kilometers per hour, which equals 75 miles per hour, which is the maximum speed limit in the USA. Four laps are to be completed on the circuit with 19 degrees Celsius (66 degrees Fahrenheit) heating and seat heating. Of course there will be additional tracking via GPS.
Comparison of consumption: Taycan vs. Model S
At the end of the test, both the Porsche Taycan 4S and the Tesla Model S Raven Performance reach an average speed of 110 kilometres per hour with a maximum of 120 kilometres per hour. At 23.6 kWh/100 km, the Porsche Taycan consumed around ten percent more than the Tesla Model S with 21.4 kWh/100 km.
Range in Autobahn test
Based on a 100% battery charge, the Porsche Taycan 4S achieved a range of 376 kilometers, while the Tesla Model S managed 424 kilometers, 48 kilometers more, which equals or 13 percent.
Why Tesla does not drive much further than Porsche
On paper, the Tesla Model S has 10 percent more usable battery capacity and is about 10 percent more efficient than the Taycan. Nevertheless, the Model S only achieves 13 percent more range at 120 kilometers per hour.
The reason for this lies in the deviation from the manufacturer’s specifications. In the test, the Tesla was able to extract about 2% less from the battery than Tesla stated. According to the board computer, the Taycan had 87 kWh of energy at its disposal, about 4% more than Porsche claims (83.7 kWh). Porsche apparently remains true to its traditional line in terms of the performance parameters specified: promise less – deliver more.
Range in EPA / WLTP comparison
If one takes the values for the two electric vehicles specified in the official cycles as a basis, it becomes clear that the Porsche Taycan is the only electric car that clearly exceeds the EPA range at higher speeds. The Tesla Model S is obviously better suited to the slow test cycle on city, country and highway roads. In the American EPA test, the cars drive at an average speed of only 56 kilometers per hour (35 miles per hour).
„In my opinion, the significance of the EPA driving cycle is very limited when it comes to assessing the long-distance suitability of an electric car,“ says nextmove managing director Stefan Moeller. „With the electric car, it’s the range that counts – and ultimately, the range is only relevant when driving longer distances, not for everyday urban driving. In contrast, the EPA cycle is interesting for consumption and electricity costs on daily basis. For buyers of premium vehicles, however, real range over long distances is probably more important than everyday operating costs.
Conclusion: Tesla vs. Porsche Autobahn range test
In the end, according to Stefan Moeller, both electric cars are convinced in the Autobahn range test: The Tesla Model S with its superior efficiency, greater range and more space at a lower price. And the Porsche Taycan with its good range, superior fast recharging and the driving dynamics of a sports car.
„We at nextmove are excited that two brands have entered the competition for technological leadership in electric mobility. Tesla currently has the better developed charging network, will gradually enable faster charging and will soon offer larger batteries. But also charging infrastructure providers such as Ionity, Allego or Fastned are consistently expanding their charging network throughout Europe. At the moment, the charging speed of the Porsche Taycan is clearly superior to that of the Tesla Model S thanks to the 800-volt technology. In addition, the Taycan scores as a sports car with outstanding driving dynamics, especially in curves. We are very excited about the Tesla Roadster 2, which will attack in this discipline“.
Tesla Model S Raven Performance vs. Porsche Taycan 4S – the video
In the video you can see the impressive pictures of the two electric cars on the German motorway around Leipzig – and experience how the Porsche Taycan 4S behaves when it jumps to 0 percent battery on the last few metres before the fast charger…
