Understanding Tesla’s Misinformation on EV Range

So I charged my 2020 Model 3 SR+ to 80%.

Tesla said I had 270 km.

Cool.

Then I opened the Energy app.

It said 135 km.

Same car. Same battery. Same moment.

That’s when I realized Tesla shows two different ranges — and one of them is basically fake.

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This Number Is Lying to You

That range beside the battery?

It’s just:

rated range × battery %

That’s it.

It doesn’t care about:

• –15°C
• heater on
• cold battery
• winter tires
• stop and go driving

It assumes perfect conditions.

So yeah… it looks nice. But it’s not real.

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This One Is Real

The Energy screen actually uses:

• your real Wh/km
• temperature
• recent driving
• heater usage

Mine was showing around 227 Wh/km and projecting ~135 km.

That’s Tesla saying:

“If you keep driving like this, in this weather, this is what you’re getting.”

That’s the number you should trust.

Not the one beside the battery.

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Why It Feels Even Worse: Nobody Drives 100% → 0%

Let’s be honest.

Most people:

• charge to ~80%
• plug back in around ~20%

So you’re only using about 60% of the battery.

Even in summer, if your full range is around 350–360 km:

80 → 20 = about 200 km

Which already explains why I always felt like I only got ~200 km.

Now winter hits.

Right now:

• 80% shows ~150 km
• real usable driving before charging again is closer to 110–120 km

Yeah.

That’s why it feels like you’re charging all day.

Nothing’s broken. That’s just winter.

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My Actual Winter Efficiency

In summer, SR+ is usually around 150–170 Wh/km.

Right now I’m around 227–230 Wh/km.

That’s like 40% worse.

So where did the range go?

Heating.
Cold battery.
Cold air.
Winter tires.
Short trips.

Half your energy isn’t even moving the car anymore.

Gas cars hide this stuff.

EVs put it right in your face 😂

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What I Learned

Quick takeaways:

• Ignore the battery km in winter
• Trust the Energy app
• Plan around 80% → 20%
• Expect big range loss when it’s really cold
• Plug in whenever you stop
• Preheat while plugged in
• Seat heaters help more than blasting heat

Most important:

Your battery probably isn’t dying.

It’s just February in Canada.

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Final

In summer, my SR+ feels normal.

In winter, it feels like I live at chargers.

Same car. Same battery.

Different season.

I didn’t lose half my range.

Winter took it.