Tesla accused of inflating in-dash range projections

Tesla faces accusations of hyping the range of its EVs, raising consumer expectations beyond what the cars can actually deliver – a practice that apparently started about ten years ago for marketing purposes. Three experts say Tesla EVs often fail to achieve their advertised range estimates and their own equipment’s projections. The company allegedly rigged its range-estimating software by writing algorithms for the range meter that would display optimistic projections for the distance the vehicle could cover on a single charge. When the battery fell below 50%, the algorithm would show drivers more realistic projections for their remaining driving range. The vehicles were designed with a “safety buffer” to prevent drivers from getting stranded as their predicted range started declining more quickly, allowing about 15 miles of additional range after the dash readout showed an empty battery. The directive to give customers optimistic range estimates apparently came from Musk himself, who “wanted to show good range numbers when fully charged.”