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Tesla Model S Plaid vs Tesla Model 3 Performance

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

grand tourer · 2023 vs 2021 · Paris → Marseille · 775 km · 130 km/h
TeslaBEVPlus rapide

Model S Plaid

1020 ch · 100 kWh · 2023

VS
TeslaBEV

Model 3 Performance

456 ch · 78 kWh · 2021

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

Result · total trip time

ATesla Model S Plaid

7h19charging included

2 stops · 56.73 €

Gap5 minin favour of Model S Plaid
BTesla Model 3 Performance

7h24charging included

3 stops · 64.65 €

Paris → Marseille · 130 km/h · Caralogy simulation
MeasureModel S PlaidModel 3 PerformanceGap
Total time7h197h245 min · Model S Plaid
Charging stops2 stops3 stops1 stop · Model S Plaid
Cost of energy used56.73 €64.65 €7.92 € · Model S Plaid

Visualise the trip

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

TeslaBEVFastest
Model S Plaid
100%
502 km
Range
Paris
0 km · departure
Charge 1
10 min · +40 kWh · 24.00 €
Charge 2
8 min · +31 kWh · 18.31 €
Marseille
775 km · Arrival 7h19
2
Stops
7h19
Duration
56.73 €
Cost of energy used
TeslaBEV
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

The 5-minute lead of the Model S Plaid does not come from driving speed, but from one fewer charging stop on this route (2 vs 3).

Both vehicles drove at 130 km/h for the entire trip. The gap is built at the stops: 2 stops totalling 18 min for the Model S Plaid versus 3 stops totalling 23 min for the Model 3 Performance.

Motorway consumption: the Caralogy methodology

The official WLTP figures (18,7 kWh/100km for Model S Plaid and 16,5 kWh/100km for Model 3 Performance) 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 S Plaid) and 19,9 kWh/100km (Model 3 Performance). Full methodology: see the assumptions below the controls.

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

During the 18 minutes of charging for the Model S Plaid, range recovers by 354 km. During the 23 cumulative minutes for the Model 3 Performance, range recovers by 454 km. Per minute, both recover at the same rate. 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 2,0× the electric cost of the Model S Plaid and 1,8× that of the Model 3 Performance. 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 Plaid

SegmentEnergy usedDistanceConsumption€/kmCost (€)
Paris → Limonest, A6initial energy charged at home · 0.20 €/kWh451 km90 kWh consumed0.040 €/km18.01 €
Limonest, A6 → Manosque, A51energy charged at Supercharger 240 kW · 0.60 €/kWh201 km40 kWh consumed0.119 €/km24.00 €
Manosque, A51 → Marseilleenergy charged at Supercharger 229 kW · 0.60 €/kWh123 km25 kWh consumed0.120 €/km14.72 €
Trip total56.73 €

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 €

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 PlaidTesla Model 3 Performance
5 minutes~73 km~73 km
10 minutes~146 km~146 km
20 minutes~293 km~293 km
Full session 10 → 80 %~351 km · 26 min~274 km · 20 min

What produces these figures

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

Compare with another vehicle

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

TeslaBEV

Model S Plaid

1020 ch · 100 kWh · 2023

TeslaBEV

Model 3 Performance

456 ch · 78 kWh · 2021

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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 Plaid arrives in 7h19 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 56.73 € (Model S Plaid) and 64.65 € (Model 3 Performance). For reference, an equivalent BMW 530i (~8.0 L/100 km) would cost about 115 € in fuel.