Can You Upgrade the Range on a Tesla? Options Explained

If you’re a Tesla owner or considering purchasing one, you might be wondering if it’s possible to upgrade the range of your vehicle after purchasing it. For example, can you upgrade a standard model to a long-range model if you realize that you need more range?

You can’t upgrade your Tesla from a standard model to a long-range model without replacing the battery. However, there are things you can do to increase your Tesla’s range. For example, you can adjust your driving habits. Sometimes Tesla releases updates that improve range by making changes to the climate control, etc.

So if you were hoping to buy an expensive software update to upgrade to a long-range Tesla, unfortunately that isn’t an option. Right now, your only real option to significantly upgrade your Tesla’s range is to buy a model that supports the longer-range you want. However, there are some ways in which you can improve your range which could still be helpful. I have discussed these in the article below.

Understanding Tesla’s Range and Battery Technology

Tesla’s range, or how far the vehicle can travel on a single charge, is primarily determined by its battery pack capacity. Simply put, the bigger the battery, the longer the range.

Tesla offers different models with varying range capabilities, from the compact Model 3 to the spacious Model S and Model X. Each model comes with a different battery pack size, which directly affects its range.

Official Range Upgrade Options For Owners

At the time of writing, Tesla does not offer an official option to upgrade the range of their vehicles after purchase. When you buy a Tesla, the range is set based on the battery pack capacity specified for that particular model.

However, it’s worth noting that Tesla has continuously improved the range of their vehicles through software and hardware updates.

Battery Range Increases Via Software Updates

In 2020, Tesla released a software update (2020.40.7) that improves the range of existing Model Y vehicles. The update brought efficiency improvements to the powertrain and HVAC system, resulting in increased range.

Tesla owners reported an increase in range to around 320-325 miles after receiving the update. This is not the first time Tesla has improved range through software updates, as they previously added 15 miles of range to some Model 3 vehicles.

Statistic About Improved Vehicle Range From The Company

In 2020, a Tesla software update that disabled the passenger face vent when there’s no passenger in the vehicle resulted in reduced energy consumption. This affected the range of select Model X and Model S cars as follows:

ModelInitial rangeFinal rangeRange increase
Model X328 miles (528 km)351 miles (565 km)33 miles (53 km)
Model S373 miles (600 km)390 miles (638 km)17 miles (27 km)
This table shows the range increases in Teslas after Tesla 2020.4 update.

Another update was supposed to help your Tesla to more accurately reflect the car’s battery capacity, according to an article from Endgadget.

Although the software update I talked about can unlock some of your vehicle’s unused battery capacity or make it more energy-efficient (thereby seeming to marginally increase the range), it doesn’t, strictly speaking, upgrade your vehicle’s range.

Tesla-Range-Increase

Did You Know?

Tesla has several safeguards to prevent overcharging and complete battery drain. You’ll find some people suggesting that — to increase your vehicle’s range — you should adjust the power management settings to allow the battery to charge up to 100 percent from the current 90%. 

However, there are downsides to that.

Below is a YouTube video explaining how the above technique reduces your Tesla battery’s longevity and efficiency: 

Possible Ways To Extend Your Tesla’s Range

While you can’t officially upgrade the range of your Tesla, there are several things you can do to maximize its existing range. Tesla provides some helpful tips you can follow to extend your car’s range without any software or hardware upgrades.

By adopting some simple driving habits and making a few adjustments, you can squeeze out more miles from your electric steed.

Here’s how to improve Tesla range:

1. Use the Energy App

The Tesla Energy app analyzes your driving habits and provides insight into your car’s charging needs. You can access this app from your vehicle’s touchscreen by tapping the energy icon. With it, you can have a better idea of your car’s charging needs, boosting energy efficiency and battery life. 

As an added resource to this article, I wrote a related post called: How Many Miles Can You Go in a Tesla? Find out how accurate the range estimates are and how long Teslas actually last.

White-Tesla-Model-3-Charging

2. Adjust Your Driving Style

Your driving style has a significant impact on your Tesla’s range. Smooth driving, maintaining a steady speed, and avoiding unnecessary acceleration and braking can significantly improve your vehicle’s range. Think of it as a game to see how efficiently you can navigate the roads.

If you want to drive your Tesla in a way that increases its range, you should: 

  • Avoid high driving speeds.
  • Avoid stop-and-go driving.
  • Minimize uphill driving.
  • Avoid driving in cold weather, rain, or headwinds.

3. Adopt Sound Charging Habits

Sound charging practices can enhance your vehicle’s battery life and boost its range. Here are some handy pointers to keep in mind. 

  • Charge your battery regularly using low-voltage chargers.
  • Only use DC fast charging when going on long trips.
  • Don’t extend the preset battery charging limits.

4. Check Tire Pressure

Keeping your tires properly inflated reduces rolling resistance, allowing your Tesla to travel more efficiently. Refer to the owner’s manual or the Tesla app for the recommended tire pressure and make it a habit to check it regularly.

5. Minimize Extra Load

Just like with any vehicle, the more weight you carry, the more energy it takes to move. Remove unnecessary items from your trunk or cargo space to lighten the load and improve your range.

6. Utilize Regenerative Braking

Tesla vehicles are equipped with regenerative braking, a technology that converts the kinetic energy produced when braking into electrical energy. By taking advantage of regenerative braking, you can recover some of the energy that would otherwise be wasted and extend your range.

Other Tips

Aside from the above, you can also: 

  • Take the rear racks or roof racks off when you’re not using them.
  • Close all windows while driving to reduce aerodynamic drag.
  • Change your air suspension to low or very low when driving at high speeds.

As an added bonus to this article, I’ve created this easy-to-use charging calculator. Simply input your model, charging wattage, and charging percentage, and you will get the estimated time it will take to charge a Tesla in terms of hours. You can play around with numbers a bit just to see how charging time changes:

Two columns
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Tesla Charging Calculator (Time):
Summary
Name Total
"{{getWooProductName}}" has been added to your cart
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Potential Future Developments

As technology continues to advance, we can expect ongoing developments in battery technology. Tesla is at the forefront of innovation and may introduce range-enhancing options in the future. While there are no official announcements at the moment, it’s worth keeping an eye on Tesla’s updates and advancements.

How To Upgrade Standard Range to Long Range in a Tesla Vehicle

It is not possible to upgrade from a Standard Range tesla to a Long Range Tesla unless you replace the battery of your vehicle. However, this is quite an expensive process and it might be more affordable to simply sell your Standard Range Tesla and purchase a Long Range model instead.

You can install a long-range battery on your Tesla and install a front motor to extend the range, but this isn’t practical for a few reasons: 

  • You’ll need to get hardware upgrades from independent EV repair shops, which can void your warranty. 
  • Very few independent EV repair shops can do the hardware upgrade to extend your range. Even if you can find one that claims to do this, you should be very careful. Again, if your Tesla gets damaged due to a faulty installation or upgrade, your warranty will get voided. 
  • The costs of a replacement long-range battery pack are pretty high.

What Is Tesla Acceleration Boost?

The Tesla Acceleration Boost is a software upgrade offered by Tesla for certain models to enhance their acceleration performance. It is available as an optional feature that can be purchased and activated remotely through Tesla’s over-the-air software updates.

When you purchase the Tesla Acceleration Boost, it typically unlocks additional power and torque for your vehicle, improving its acceleration and overall performance. The exact specifications and improvements may vary depending on the specific Tesla model and variant you own.

By enabling the Acceleration Boost, you can experience quicker acceleration times and a more responsive driving experience. It can provide a noticeable improvement in the car’s 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) acceleration time, allowing you to reach higher speeds faster.

It’s important to note that the Acceleration Boost is a software upgrade and does not involve any physical modifications to the vehicle.

How to Buy Tesla Acceleration Boost

If you’re itching to buy or check if the upgrade is available for your Tesla, just open up the Tesla app and head over to the Upgrades section. From there, tap on Software Upgrades and keep your eyes peeled for Acceleration Boost. If it’s listed, you’re in luck!

When you’re ready to snag the upgrade, make sure your vehicle is safely parked and connected to Wi-Fi or has a strong cellular connection. That way, your Tesla can grab the updated configuration it needs.

Adding the Acceleration Boost upgrade to your cart is a breeze. Simply tap on it and follow the payment instructions. It’s a one-time payment, so you can use your trusty credit card, debit card, or even Apple Pay to complete the purchase. Just remember, you won’t be able to roll the cost of the upgrade into your lease or vehicle loan payments.

Once you’ve successfully processed the payment, sit tight! Your vehicle won’t keep you waiting for long. In just a few short minutes, the update will pop up right in your Tesla, ready to rev up your acceleration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Possible To Upgrade to a Larger Battery Capacity?

Tesla will only install a larger battery if your current pack dies under warranty, as they only have a larger pack as a replacement. A replacement pack from independent EV repair shops is very costly.

Why Is My Estimated Battery Range Less Than Expected After Charging?

The estimated range reduces over time depending on the battery’s age, how often you use a supercharger, and driving style. The range decreases slightly in the first few months before leveling off. 

Check out these 20 great gift ideas for yourself or a Tesla fanboy.

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Erwin Meyer
Erwin Meyer

A renowned Tesla enthusiast, and successful entrepreneur, enlightens global audiences through his compelling EV narratives. Discover more about his electric journey on his About Me page. Venture to read Erwin's incredible story that's reshaping the future of motoring. Want to spark a conversation with Erwin? Visit his Contact page, and let’s electrify the world together.