Michigan-based startup Our Next Energy (ONE) installed a new battery in a Tesla Model S — and it says the upgrade allowed the vehicle to cover an astonishing 752 miles on a single charge.
The startup installed a much higher capacity battery in the sedan, according to Car and Driver, boosting its range by almost 90 percent compared to its EPA-rated 402 mile range.
The new battery had a capacity of nearly double the kilowatt-hours, adding an impressive 99.8 kWh of energy compared to the Tesla’s original battery, according to Electrek.
In a December test, the Model S braved icy Michigan temperatures, driving almost 14 hours at an average 55 mph. On a dynanometer, essentially a treadmill for cars, the car managed to keep up a steady 55 mph pace for an even more astonishing 882 miles.
Despite the promises of a more sustainable approach to EV batteries using a “conflict-free supply chain,” according to Car and Driver, the company is still relying on lithium-based compounds, which come at a huge environmental cost.
The battery used in the Model S test, however, used high-energy cobalt-nickel cells instead. Cobalt has also been linked to unethical and environmentally costly mining practices.
Still, it’s an impressive feat that goes to show we can pack a whole lot more energy into a single electric car’s battery — and that bodes well for the future adoption of electric alternatives, as range anxiety is still a pretty big limiting factor.