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Elon Musk hints that the Tesla Model 3 will have more range than the Chevy Bolt

Elon Musk hints that the Tesla Model 3 will have more range than the Chevy Bolt

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Though it can only fit a 75kWh battery pack

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Tesla Model 3 Gallery
Photo: Tesla

Tesla CEO Elon Musk hinted on Twitter today that the upcoming Model 3 electric car — which Musk said last year would get at least 215 miles of range — will have a greater range than its closest competitor, the Chevy Bolt, which can go an EPA-estimated 238 miles on a full charge.

As part of a lengthy tweetstorm today, Musk responded to a question about whether the Model 3 would have more range than the Bolt by saying, “Oh so little faith.” Though he didn’t come out and say it, this is a safe bet that Tesla is aiming higher than the Bolt for its range estimates.

Musk also revealed that the maximum battery pack size for the Model 3 will be 75kWh because the car has a shorter wheelbase than Tesla’s larger Model S and Model X cars, at least with “current cell / module energy densities.” Previously, Tesla had said the Model 3 would come with a 60kWh battery pack as standard, the same as the Chevy Bolt.

The Model S has battery pack options of 60, 75, 90, and 100 kWh, with EPA-estimated ranges of 215, 259, 294, and 315 miles respectively on the all-wheel drive model. The Model 3 should have a slightly better range at the same battery capacity because that car is physically smaller and lighter than the Model S.

Tesla expects to begin deliveries of the Model 3 later this year.