Tesla MY2024 Updates: Less Range, New Colors, Different Steering Wheels, and No Creep Mode

The Teslasphere ended the week in disarray after the Cybertruck showed a lower-than-expected range in Out of Spec Studios' highway range test. The results came in at the same time the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) changed the EV range testing procedures, making almost all Tesla EVs appear to have less range than before. This added to other changes that Tesla implemented in its vehicle lineup for the 2024 model year, which made some people believe the range loss was caused by the MY2024 changes.

In fact, nothing changed on the vehicles themselves, except the way range is now calculated. Specifically, the EPA now mandates that all EV manufacturers test acceleration and ride height modes in both best and worst-case scenarios. This makes almost all EVs lose range and efficiency, although the changes were introduced to better reflect real-world range performance.

The new system is applicable to vehicles testing for the 2024 model year and later. For those who buy a Tesla in 2024, the changes mean that the EPA range estimates listed on Tesla's website are now more accurate and closer to reality. The Model Y RWD kept its 260-mile rating, but the Model Y AWD and Model Y Performance lost about 20 miles and are now rated at 310 miles and 285 miles, respectively.

The Model S Plaid lost 28-37 miles depending on the wheel option (the range is now 320 miles with 21" and 359 miles with 20" wheels), while the Model S LR kept its 405-mile rating. Finally, the Model X was less affected, with the LR variant listed with 335 miles of range instead of 348 and the Plaid variant listed with 326 miles instead of 333. If you wonder why the Model 3 is not affected, it's because Tesla hasn't tested the 2024 model year and will likely never do it until the refreshed model (Highland) starts sales.

To improve the rated efficiency of the Model Y, Tesla also decided to remove the Creep and Roll stopping modes, with the Hold as the only option for 2024 models. Hold is the most efficient mode, allowing regenerative braking to recoup the most brake energy. It's also the one that most Tesla owners use, as it is connected with the "one-pedal" driving mode.

By contrast, the Creep mode is more akin to driving an automatic ICE car, requiring the driver to press the brake pedal to keep the car stationary at stops. Roll allows the wheels to free-roll after stopping, like an ICE vehicle in Neutral. The removal of these two modes is set to eliminate the less favorable range readings, thus resulting in better EPA numbers. By reducing the Model S LR's top speed to 130 mph (210 kph) from 155 mph (250 kph), Tesla achieves a similar result.

The EV maker operated other changes for the 2024 models, including launching two new colors for the Model Y. First introduced with the Model S and Model X last year, Ultra Red and Stealth Grey are now also available on the Model Y. The latter is offered for free instead of the Midnight Silver Metallic, which has been discontinued. At $2,000, Ultra Red is now the most expensive paint option, replacing Multi-Coat Red, which has also been discontinued.

This is not the only change, as the Model S and Model X will be delivered with new steering wheels and yokes. The main change is that the horn is now mechanically operated by pressing the center hub, like in most cars. Until now, the horn was triggered by touching a capacitive button on the steering wheel/yoke, which was far from ideal.

2023.44.30.8 brings us this knowledge about upcoming hardware:
Mexico-UNECE homologated Model Y
Model Y will get Stealth Grey color
Models Y, S and X efficiency package 2024
Model S and X also get a new steering wheel and yokes with "mechanical horn"

— green (@greentheonly) January 5, 2024