Tesla lowers range estimates for Model X, S, Y cars amid complaints, DOJ probe

Amid customer complaints, lawsuits, and a DOJ investigation, it appears that Tesla has reduced the range estimates for many of its electric vehicles.

Elon Musk's EV company has recently updated its range estimates across the board on Tesla Model Y, S, and X vehicles, according to a new report from Electrek. These changes see range estimates reduced by as much as 6 percent.

According to Drive Tesla, internal documents from Tesla claim that the company made the changes for two reasons. One reason is listed by Tesla as “comfort and functionality improvements” that require more energy from the car's battery, thus reducing its range. As the outlet points out, these documents do not specify exactly what those improvements were. The second reason, according to the Tesla documents, is due to EPA testing cycle changes, which saw reduced ranges in the vehicles.

As The Verge points out, Tesla's website now shows that the Model Y's estimated range is 285 miles. The Model Y’s Performance range previously shows a 303 mile estimate, a change of 18 miles. The Model Y Long Range also took a 20-mile hit, after the update changed its 330 mile listing to 310 miles. Model X Plaid and Model S Plaid have also been updated from 333 miles to 326 miles and 396 miles to 359 miles, respectively.

These updates have not been made on other Tesla models nor have the changes been made on Tesla's UK and EU website listings.

As Mashable previously reported, Tesla customers have long complained about the range exaggerations. "Range anxiety" is a major barrier for EV companies when selling cars to consumers. So, a higher range means more sales. 

A report from Reuters last year says Musk himself specifically directed the company to inflate range numbers. Furthermore, these exaggerated estimates led many Tesla customers to believe that there was something faulty with their specific car when it would not reach those range numbers. Due to the uptick of Tesla drivers requesting car service for this issue, the company went ahead and created a "Diversion Team" tasked with canceling as many of these appointments as possible.

Lawsuits and a DOJ probe into these issues soon followed.