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Tesla introduces maximum range rear‑wheel drive Model 3 with 702 km WLTP
In late 2024, Tesla launched a new Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) variant of the Model 3 in Europe, offering a certified WLTP range of 702 kilometers (436 miles). This model became the highest-range Tesla ever certified under WLTP in European markets.
Its efficiency, battery capacity, and aerodynamic design contribute to its remarkable performance, placing it at the top of Tesla’s current offerings in terms of pure range without compromising everyday drivability.
Alt text: The new 2025 Tesla model 3
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18-inch aero wheels give 702 km WLTP, 19-inch rims reduce it to 640 km
The Model 3 Long Range RWD only achieves its 702-kilometer WLTP rating when configured with Tesla’s 18-inch Photon aero wheels. These wheels minimize drag and maximize efficiency.
If customers choose the 19-inch Nova wheels instead, the WLTP range drops to approximately 640 kilometers. This highlights the wheel size’s significant role in electric vehicle performance, especially for drivers who maximize driving distance between charges on long trips.
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Model 3 RWD variant consumes about 13.6 kWh per 100 kilometers
Tesla’s Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive Model 3 is officially rated at approximately 13.6 kWh per 100 kilometers under WLTP standards. This consumption figure places it among the most efficient electric vehicles, balancing energy usage and real-world performance.
The efficiency benefits come from the car’s aerodynamic design and rear-wheel drive setup, although it’s slightly higher than the initially stated 12.5 kWh/100 km figure.
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Wheel size and aero tuning create apparent range differences
Switching from 18-inch to 19-inch wheels on the Long Range Model 3 RWD reduces WLTP-certified range by more than 60 kilometers. This is due to increased rolling resistance and aerodynamic drag.
Tesla specifically tunes its aero wheels to optimize energy usage, making them ideal for range-conscious drivers. Even changing tires or wheel covers can affect consumption, so buyers focused on efficiency stick with the standard configuration.
Alt text: 2025 Tesla Model 3
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Real-world tests in Norway show a 24% winter range drop
In winter 2025, a real-world cold-weather range test in Norway showed the Model 3 RWD delivering 531 kilometers from a full charge, down from the WLTP-rated 702 kilometers.
That’s a range drop of about 24 percent under snowy and subzero conditions. The test was part of a broader European EV comparison and revealed how cold temperatures, road conditions, and cabin heating can significantly impact real-world electric vehicle range.
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Polestar 3 performed better in Norway’s cold EV range trial
Among 24 EVs tested during the same Norwegian winter driving trial, the Polestar 3 came closest to its official WLTP range, losing just 5 percent. While Tesla’s Model 3 RWD had a larger drop, it still placed competitively among sedans.
These results underscore how different EVs respond to extreme weather conditions and how Tesla’s efficiency, while strong, is still subject to range losses during cold-weather highway driving.
Alt text: 2025 Polestar 3 automobile at the 2025 Canadian international autoshow
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WLTP testing simulates mixed driving scenarios for accuracy
The Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) is designed better to reflect real-world driving conditions than earlier tests. It combines city, suburban, rural, and highway driving segments with different acceleration and speed profiles.
The goal is to give consumers a more realistic estimate of what to expect in daily driving. While imperfect, WLTP is now the standard for range certification in Europe and many other global markets.
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EPA and WLTP range estimates differ by up to 20 percent
Tesla’s European WLTP figures often appear higher than what the same models would achieve under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) system.
The EPA test includes more aggressive acceleration, higher speeds, and greater thermal loads. The EPA might rate a 702-kilometer WLTP-rated Model 3 closer to 570–580 kilometers (around 355–360 miles). This highlights the need to compare EV ranges within the same regulatory context.
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Tesla’s RWD Model 3 is the most efficient in its European lineup
As of August 2025, the Long Range RWD Model 3 remains the most efficient vehicle in Tesla’s European catalog. It’s 12.5 kWh/100 km energy usage beats other Tesla models, including dual-motor versions of the Model 3 and the larger Model Y.
This level of efficiency positions the RWD variant as a top choice for drivers who prioritize cost per mile and maximum distance per charge, particularly in urban or moderate climates.
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The variant accelerates from 0–100 km/h in around 5.2 seconds
Tesla’s official performance figures for the Long Range RWD Model 3 state a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time of 5.2 seconds. This places the car between the Standard RWD and the faster AWD versions, balancing efficiency and drivability.
While it may not match the AWD’s instant torque, the RWD setup offers ample speed for everyday use, making it a compelling choice for city commuting and long-distance travel.
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The Model 3 RWD uses a battery pack with 78 kWh gross capacity
The Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD comes with a lithium-ion battery pack that offers around 78 kilowatt-hours gross capacity, roughly 75 kWh usable.
This chemistry is believed to be NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt), supplied by Tesla’s European battery partners. The pack’s design focuses on energy density and efficiency rather than performance, helping Tesla achieve its best range numbers for a rear-wheel drive sedan in the European market.
Alt text: The new 2025 Tesla model 3
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In mild weather, the car can achieve up to 650 kilometers
According to EV-Database and independent testing, the Model 3 Long Range RWD typically achieves around 650 kilometers of real-world range in mild conditions.
That’s close to 92 percent of its official WLTP rating. This Tesla proves highly efficient in temperatures around 20–25°C and under a mix of city and highway driving. It’s one of the few electric vehicles able to exceed 600 kilometers in practical, everyday use without hypermiling techniques.
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Range can fall to 395 km in cold highway conditions
Under harsh winter conditions, such as sustained highway driving at −10°C, the real-world range of the Model 3 Long Range RWD can drop to approximately 395 kilometers. This figure is based on independent tests simulating cold European winters.
The battery and drivetrain must work harder to maintain cabin warmth and manage internal resistance, which reduces available energy for driving. This performance is typical for EVs and not unique to Tesla vehicles.
Alt text: Tesla Model 3 cockpit steering
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Tesla launched this variant in late 2024 in Germany and the UK
Tesla introduced the Long Range RWD Model 3 in Germany and the UK in October 2024 as part of the “Highland” refresh. With a starting price around €44,990 in Germany, it marked a significant addition to Tesla’s European lineup.
The variant offers the best range-to-price ratio available from Tesla, especially for customers who don’t need all-wheel drive but still want class-leading distance between charges for longer trips.
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The Model 3 RWD uses a battery pack with about 82 kWh gross capacity
The battery pack in Tesla’s Long Range Model 3 RWD variant has a gross capacity of roughly 82 kilowatt-hours, with a slightly lower usable capacity due to buffer management.
This larger pack size supports the extended driving range and helps the vehicle achieve its WLTP-certified maximum distance. Tesla continues to refine battery chemistry and packaging to optimize energy density and longevity in this pack.
Alt text: Electric car lithium battery pack and power connections
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Chinese EV range record
The Chinese EVs are taking over the market with newer models. These models offer a great range and value for money, with lower prices than Tesla. These threats pushed Tesla and other manufacturers to take considerable actions and launch newer models to compete.
It is a win-win for consumers as they have better options to adapt to every budget bracket, offering an EV. EV is now becoming accessible to everyone luckily.
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