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Tesla Model S Performance vs BMW i3 I01

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

grand tourer · 2019 vs 2018 · Paris → Marseille · 775 km · 130 km/h
TeslaBEVPlus rapide

Model S Performance

778 ch · 100 kWh · 2019

VS
BMWBEV

i3 I01

170 ch · 37.9 kWh · 2018

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

Result · total trip time

ATesla Model S Performance

7h20charging included

2 stops · 59.47 €

Gap81 minin favour of Model S Performance
BBMW i3 I01

8h41charging included

6 stops · 58.24 €

Paris → Marseille · 130 km/h · Caralogy simulation
MeasureModel S Performancei3 I01Gap
Total time7h208h4181 min · Model S Performance
Charging stops2 stops6 stops4 stops · Model S Performance
Cost of energy used59.47 €58.24 €1.23 € · i3 I01

Visualise the trip

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

TeslaBEVFastest
Model S Performance
100%
487 km
Range
Paris
0 km · departure
Charge 1
10 min · +40 kWh · 24.00 €
Charge 2
9 min · +35 kWh · 21.16 €
Marseille
775 km · Arrival 7h20
2
Stops
7h20
Duration
59.47 €
Cost of energy used
BMWBEV
i3 I01
100%
245 km
Range
Paris
0 km · departure
Charge 1
17 min · +15 kWh · 9.10 €
Charge 2
17 min · +15 kWh · 9.10 €
Charge 3
17 min · +15 kWh · 9.10 €
Charge 4
17 min · +15 kWh · 9.10 €
Charge 5
17 min · +15 kWh · 9.10 €
Charge 6
16 min · +15 kWh · 8.72 €
Marseille
775 km · Arrival 8h41
6
Stops
8h41
Duration
58.24 €
Cost of energy used

The 81-minute lead of the Model S Performance does not come from driving speed, but from 4 fewer charging stops on this route (2 vs 6).

Both vehicles drove at 130 km/h for the entire trip. The gap is built at the stops: 2 stops totalling 19 min for the Model S Performance versus 6 stops totalling 100 min for the i3 I01.

Motorway consumption: the Caralogy methodology

The official WLTP figures (19,3 kWh/100km for Model S Performance and 13,1 kWh/100km for i3 I01) 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 20,5 kWh/100km (Model S Performance) and 15,5 kWh/100km (i3 I01). Full methodology: see the assumptions below the controls.

Recovery speed: 19,3 km/min versus 5,8 km/min

During the 19 minutes of charging for the Model S Performance, range recovers by 367 km. During the 100 cumulative minutes for the i3 I01, range recovers by 583 km. Per minute: the Model S Performance recovers 3,3× 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 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 1,9× the electric cost of the Model S Performance and 2,0× that of the i3 I01. 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 Performance

SegmentEnergy usedDistanceConsumption€/kmCost (€)
Paris → Limonest, A6initial energy charged at home · 0.20 €/kWh438 km90 kWh consumed0.041 €/km18.01 €
Limonest, A6 → Montélimar, A7energy charged at Supercharger 240 kW · 0.60 €/kWh195 km40 kWh consumed0.123 €/km24.00 €
Montélimar, A7 → Marseilleenergy charged at Supercharger 235 kW · 0.60 €/kWh142 km29 kWh consumed0.123 €/km17.46 €
Trip total59.47 €

BMW i3 I01

SegmentEnergy usedDistanceConsumption€/kmCost (€)
Paris → Beaune, A6initial energy charged at home · 0.20 €/kWh221 km34 kWh consumed0.031 €/km6.83 €
Beaune, A6 → Tournus, A6energy charged at Ionity 54 kW · 0.60 €/kWh98 km15 kWh consumed0.093 €/km9.10 €
Tournus, A6 → Limonest, A6energy charged at Ionity 54 kW · 0.60 €/kWh98 km15 kWh consumed0.093 €/km9.10 €
Limonest, A6 → Valence, A7energy charged at Ionity 54 kW · 0.60 €/kWh98 km15 kWh consumed0.093 €/km9.10 €
Valence, A7 → Montélimar, A7energy charged at Ionity 54 kW · 0.60 €/kWh98 km15 kWh consumed0.093 €/km9.10 €
Montélimar, A7 → Manosque, A51energy charged at Ionity 54 kW · 0.60 €/kWh98 km15 kWh consumed0.093 €/km9.10 €
Manosque, A51 → Marseilleenergy charged at Ionity 54 kW · 0.60 €/kWh64 km10 kWh consumed0.093 €/km5.93 €
Trip total58.24 €

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 PerformanceBMW i3 I01
5 minutes~71 km-
10 minutes~142 km-
20 minutes~284 km-
Full session 10 → 80 %~341 km · 26 min-

What produces these figures

WLTP combined consumption
19.3 kWh/100 km · 13.1 kWh/100 km
Net battery
100 kWh · 37.9 kWh

Compare with another vehicle

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

TeslaBEV

Model S Performance

778 ch · 100 kWh · 2019

BMWBEV

i3 I01

170 ch · 37.9 kWh · 2018

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MINIVSBMW

Cooper SE FWD vs i3

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 Performance arrives in 7h20 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 59.47 € (Model S Performance) and 58.24 € (i3 I01). For reference, an equivalent BMW 530i (~8.0 L/100 km) would cost about 115 € in fuel.