EPA rates Tesla Model S for 89 MPGe, 265-mile range with largest battery pack

The EPA has released official efficiency ratings for the Model S equipped with the range-topping 85-kWh battery pack.

The EPA has released official MPGe and expected-range figures for the long-awaited Tesla Model S: when equipped with the optional 85-kWh battery pack, the electric sedan will carry an 89 MPGe combined rating and boast a 265-mile range.

While the EPA-certified range is shorter than the 300-mile capacity Tesla originally estimated, it still gives the Model S the longest range of any EV currently on sale. On the other hand, 89 MPGe is the second lowest efficiency rating achieved by an electric vehicle, but the Model S is larger and far more powerful than the current crop of U.S.-market EVs.

The EPA has yet to announce ratings for the 40-kWh and 60-kWh Model S variants, for which Tesla quotes ranges of 160 and 230 miles, respectively.

Tesla has high hopes for the Model S, with the company ambitiously predicting that the sedan will achieve sales of 20,000 vehicles in 2013. The Model S is set to go on sale this summer carrying a base price of $57,400 for the 40-kWh model, $67,400 for the 60-kWh variant and $77,400 for the range-topping 85-kWh iteration (all prices before federal tax credits).