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AModel 3vsBi4BEV
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  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
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  • SpecsModel 3 · i4

Tesla Model 3 Performance vs BMW i4 eDrive35 G26

Trip mapped at a glance. Charging stops visible, total duration predictable. Caralogy simulation at 130 km/h.

saloon · 2021 vs 2024 · Paris → Marseille · 775 km · 130 km/h
TeslaBEVPlus rapide

Model 3 Performance

456 ch · 78 kWh · 2021

VS
BMWBEV

i4 eDrive35 G26

286 ch · 67.1 kWh · 2024

Simulation trip
Assumptions: 130 km/h · start 100 % · mild weather

Result · total trip time

ATesla Model 3 Performance

7h24charging included

3 stops · 64.65 €

Gap20 minin favour of Model 3 Performance
BBMW i4 eDrive35 G26

7h44charging included

4 stops · 79.64 €

Paris → Marseille · 130 km/h · Caralogy simulation
MeasureModel 3 Performancei4 eDrive35 G26Gap
Total time7h247h4420 min · Model 3 Performance
Charging stops3 stops4 stops1 stop · Model 3 Performance
Cost of energy used64.65 €79.64 €14.99 € · Model 3 Performance

Visualise the trip

Both vehicles drive at 130 km/h. The difference comes from charging stops.

TeslaBEVFastest
Model 3 Performance
100%
391 km
Range
Paris
0 km · departure
Charge 1
8 min · +31 kWh · 18.72 €
Charge 2
8 min · +31 kWh · 18.72 €
Charge 3
7 min · +28 kWh · 16.75 €
Marseille
775 km · Arrival 7h24
3
Stops
7h24
Duration
64.65 €
Cost of energy used
BMWBEV
i4 eDrive35 G26
100%
301 km
Range
Paris
0 km · departure
Charge 1
9 min · +27 kWh · 16.10 €
Charge 2
9 min · +27 kWh · 16.10 €
Charge 3
9 min · +27 kWh · 16.10 €
Charge 4
15 min · +39 kWh · 23.26 €
Marseille
775 km · Arrival 7h44
4
Stops
7h44
Duration
79.64 €
Cost of energy used

The 20-minute lead of the Model 3 Performance does not come from driving speed, but from one fewer charging stop on this route (3 vs 4).

Both vehicles drove at 130 km/h for the entire trip. The gap is built at the stops: 3 stops totalling 23 min for the Model 3 Performance versus 4 stops totalling 43 min for the i4 eDrive35 G26.

Motorway consumption: the Caralogy methodology

The official WLTP figures (16,5 kWh/100km for Model 3 Performance and 18,6 kWh/100km for i4 eDrive35 G26) are measured on a mixed cycle averaging ~46 km/h. At a steady 130 km/h, aerodynamic drag weighs much more heavily - it grows with the square of speed. Caralogy calculates a motorway consumption specific to each vehicle based on its aerodynamic profile (SCx), weight and power curve - not a uniform correction factor. For this trip, the simulation yields 19,9 kWh/100km (Model 3 Performance) and 22,3 kWh/100km (i4 eDrive35 G26). Full methodology: see the assumptions below the controls.

Recovery speed: 19,7 km/min versus 12,4 km/min

During the 23 minutes of charging for the Model 3 Performance, range recovers by 454 km. During the 43 cumulative minutes for the i4 eDrive35 G26, range recovers by 535 km. Per minute: the Model 3 Performance recovers 1,6× faster. At this rate, the charging stop blends into the trip rhythm - just enough time for a coffee. At a lower rate, it dictates the pace.

For reference: how much would an equivalent petrol car cost?

A Peugeot 508 1.6 PureTech 180 (equivalent segment) consumes about 7,2 L/100km on the motorway at 130 km/h. At 1,9 €/L, this Paris → Marseille trip would cost ~103 €. That is 1,6× the electric cost of the Model 3 Performance and 1,3× that of the i4 eDrive35 G26. The gap narrows in winter but never reverses.

Energy cost breakdown for your trip Paris → Marseille

The cost per kilometre depends on the electricity rate applied to each segment - based on the energy source used at that point of the trip.

Tesla Model 3 Performance

SegmentEnergy usedDistanceConsumption€/kmCost (€)
Paris → Tournus, A6initial energy charged at home · 0.20 €/kWh352 km70 kWh consumed0.040 €/km14.05 €
Tournus, A6 → Valence, A7energy charged at Supercharger 234 kW · 0.60 €/kWh156 km31 kWh consumed0.120 €/km18.72 €
Valence, A7 → Manosque, A51energy charged at Supercharger 234 kW · 0.60 €/kWh156 km31 kWh consumed0.120 €/km18.72 €
Manosque, A51 → Marseilleenergy charged at Supercharger 239 kW · 0.60 €/kWh110 km22 kWh consumed0.120 €/km13.16 €
Trip total64.65 €

BMW i4 eDrive35 G26

SegmentEnergy usedDistanceConsumption€/kmCost (€)
Paris → Beaune, A6initial energy charged at home · 0.20 €/kWh271 km60 kWh consumed0.045 €/km12.08 €
Beaune, A6 → Limonest, A6energy charged at Ionity 179 kW · 0.60 €/kWh120 km27 kWh consumed0.134 €/km16.10 €
Limonest, A6 → Valence, A7energy charged at Ionity 179 kW · 0.60 €/kWh120 km27 kWh consumed0.134 €/km16.10 €
Valence, A7 → Montélimar, A7energy charged at Ionity 179 kW · 0.60 €/kWh120 km27 kWh consumed0.134 €/km16.10 €
Montélimar, A7 → Marseilleenergy charged at Ionity 155 kW · 0.60 €/kWh144 km32 kWh consumed0.134 €/km19.24 €
Trip total79.64 €

Range recovered by stop duration

How many kilometres do you recover depending on the time spent at the charger? Comparison at nominal peak power.
Charging stop durationTesla Model 3 PerformanceBMW i4 eDrive35 G26
5 minutes~73 km~47 km
10 minutes~146 km~94 km
20 minutes~293 km~188 km
Full session 10 → 80 %~274 km · 20 min~210 km · 24 min

What produces these figures

WLTP combined consumption
16.5 kWh/100 km · 18.6 kWh/100 km
Net battery
78 kWh · 67.1 kWh
Max DC charging
250 kW · 180 kW

Compare with another vehicle

Replace one of the two with an alternative from the same segment

TeslaBEV

Model 3 Performance

456 ch · 78 kWh · 2021

BMWBEV

i4 eDrive35 G26

286 ch · 67.1 kWh · 2024

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i4 eDrive35 vs Model 3 RWD

BMWVSTesla

i4 M50 xDrive vs Model 3 Performance

BMWVSTesla

i4 eDrive35 vs Model 3 Long Range RWD

Frequently asked questions

The advantage comes from the combo real range + charging speed. On Paris → Marseille (775 km at 130 km/h), the Model 3 Performance arrives in 7h24 with 3 charging stops.

WLTP consumption does not reflect motorway reality. Aerodynamic drag grows with the square of speed, so real consumption is 15 to 25 % higher than WLTP combined. Caralogy calculates a highway consumption specific to each vehicle based on its aerodynamic profile (SCx), weight and power curve.

Total time = driving time + charging time. Driving time is calculated at an average speed of 130 km/h on the motorway (adjustable). Charging time is calculated based on the real power curve of each vehicle, respecting the optimal 10 → 80 % range and the maximum power accepted by the chargers on the route.

No. The displayed cost covers only the energy consumed during the trip: kWh × energy rate, with a mix of home charging and DC fast chargers. Battery wear is a long-term ownership cost, not a trip cost.

On this trip, the energy used costs 64.65 € (Model 3 Performance) and 79.64 € (i4 eDrive35 G26). For reference, an equivalent Peugeot 508 1.6 PureTech 180 (~7.2 L/100 km) would cost about 103 € in fuel.