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Tesla Model S Long Range vs BMW i4 M50 xDrive G26

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

grand tourer · 2019 vs 2024 · Paris → Marseille · 775 km · 130 km/h
TeslaBEVPlus rapide

Model S Long Range

670 ch · 100 kWh · 2019

VS
BMWBEV

i4 M50 xDrive G26

544 ch · 80.7 kWh · 2024

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

Result · total trip time

ATesla Model S Long Range

7h18charging included

2 stops · 55.01 €

Gap19 minin favour of Model S Long Range
BBMW i4 M50 xDrive G26

7h37charging included

4 stops · 80.88 €

Paris → Marseille · 130 km/h · Caralogy simulation
MeasureModel S Long Rangei4 M50 xDrive G26Gap
Total time7h187h3719 min · Model S Long Range
Charging stops2 stops4 stops2 stops · Model S Long Range
Cost of energy used55.01 €80.88 €25.87 € · Model S Long Range

Visualise the trip

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

TeslaBEVFastest
Model S Long Range
100%
511 km
Range
Paris
0 km · departure
Charge 1
10 min · +40 kWh · 24.00 €
Charge 2
7 min · +28 kWh · 16.52 €
Marseille
775 km · Arrival 7h18
2
Stops
7h18
Duration
55.01 €
Cost of energy used
BMWBEV
i4 M50 xDrive G26
100%
341 km
Range
Paris
0 km · departure
Charge 1
10 min · +32 kWh · 19.37 €
Charge 2
10 min · +32 kWh · 19.37 €
Charge 3
10 min · +32 kWh · 19.37 €
Charge 4
6 min · +21 kWh · 12.50 €
Marseille
775 km · Arrival 7h37
4
Stops
7h37
Duration
80.88 €
Cost of energy used

The 19-minute lead of the Model S Long Range does not come from driving speed, but from 2 fewer charging stops on this route (2 vs 4).

Both vehicles drove at 130 km/h for the entire trip. The gap is built at the stops: 2 stops totalling 17 min for the Model S Long Range versus 4 stops totalling 36 min for the i4 M50 xDrive G26.

Motorway consumption: the Caralogy methodology

The official WLTP figures (19,0 kWh/100km for Model S Long Range and 19,7 kWh/100km for i4 M50 xDrive 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 19,6 kWh/100km (Model S Long Range) and 23,6 kWh/100km (i4 M50 xDrive G26). Full methodology: see the assumptions below the controls.

Recovery speed: 20,3 km/min versus 13,9 km/min

During the 17 minutes of charging for the Model S Long Range, range recovers by 345 km. During the 36 cumulative minutes for the i4 M50 xDrive G26, range recovers by 499 km. Per minute: the Model S Long Range recovers 1,5× faster. The gap is less pronounced but accumulates over long distances.

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

A BMW 530i (equivalent segment) consumes about 8,0 L/100km on the motorway at 130 km/h. At 1,9 €/L, this Paris → Marseille trip would cost ~115 €. That is 2,1× the electric cost of the Model S Long Range and 1,4× that of the i4 M50 xDrive 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 S Long Range

SegmentEnergy usedDistanceConsumption€/kmCost (€)
Paris → Limonest, A6initial energy charged at home · 0.20 €/kWh460 km90 kWh consumed0.039 €/km18.01 €
Limonest, A6 → Manosque, A51energy charged at Supercharger 240 kW · 0.60 €/kWh204 km40 kWh consumed0.118 €/km24.00 €
Manosque, A51 → Marseilleenergy charged at Supercharger 236 kW · 0.60 €/kWh111 km22 kWh consumed0.117 €/km13.00 €
Trip total55.01 €

BMW i4 M50 xDrive G26

SegmentEnergy usedDistanceConsumption€/kmCost (€)
Paris → Tournus, A6initial energy charged at home · 0.20 €/kWh307 km73 kWh consumed0.047 €/km14.53 €
Tournus, A6 → Limonest, A6energy charged at Ionity 194 kW · 0.60 €/kWh137 km32 kWh consumed0.141 €/km19.37 €
Limonest, A6 → Montélimar, A7energy charged at Ionity 194 kW · 0.60 €/kWh137 km32 kWh consumed0.141 €/km19.37 €
Montélimar, A7 → Manosque, A51energy charged at Ionity 194 kW · 0.60 €/kWh137 km32 kWh consumed0.141 €/km19.37 €
Manosque, A51 → Marseilleenergy charged at Ionity 208 kW · 0.60 €/kWh58 km14 kWh consumed0.142 €/km8.24 €
Trip total80.88 €

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 S Long RangeBMW i4 M50 xDrive G26
5 minutes~75 km~51 km
10 minutes~149 km~101 km
20 minutes~298 km~202 km
Full session 10 → 80 %~358 km · 26 min~239 km · 25 min

What produces these figures

WLTP combined consumption
19.0 kWh/100 km · 19.7 kWh/100 km
Net battery
100 kWh · 80.7 kWh
Max DC charging
250 kW · 205 kW

Compare with another vehicle

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

TeslaBEV

Model S Long Range

670 ch · 100 kWh · 2019

BMWBEV

i4 M50 xDrive G26

544 ch · 80.7 kWh · 2024

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Frequently asked questions

The advantage comes from the combo real range + charging speed. On Paris → Marseille (775 km at 130 km/h), the Model S Long Range arrives in 7h18 with 2 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 55.01 € (Model S Long Range) and 80.88 € (i4 M50 xDrive G26). For reference, an equivalent BMW 530i (~8.0 L/100 km) would cost about 115 € in fuel.