Tesla Faces Roadblock with EPA

Tesla Inc. TSLA has hit a snag in the delivery of two of its popular vehicle models in the United States. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has imposed a pause in deliveries due to concerns surrounding the range figures of the Model S Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive (AWD) and Model Y Performance.

Reasons Behind the Delay

The delay is linked to a recent revision in range ratings for the Model S, Model X, and Model Y by Tesla. Internal communications have revealed that changes in EPA testing methods led to “higher consumption and a slight decrease in overall range.” Additionally, Tesla introduced an “efficiency package” with comfort and functionality improvements, consuming more energy from the battery pack.

Stringent EPA Retesting

Despite Tesla’s claims of having the necessary paperwork, the EPA has mandated a retest of these two trims, extending the delivery pause to at least March 7. The retesting is a result of the agency’s concerns about the vehicles’ range figures and the impact of the introduced improvements on energy consumption.

Impact on Deliveries and Customer Satisfaction

This delay could potentially affect Tesla’s delivery targets and customer satisfaction. The company’s decision to lower the range estimate on some vehicles and the subsequent delay in deliveries adds to the challenges it faces as it strives to meet its production and delivery goals.