Tesla Model S vs. BMW 1-Series MPG

Chart is based on 3 fuel economy reports for the Tesla Model S and 176 fuel economy reports for the BMW 1-Series.

Tesla Model S MPG

Year	Body/Powertrain	flat, hilly, or mountainousLand	driving style: very light to "lead foot"Foot	A/C use: none to heavyA/C	constant stop and goTraf %	many stops per mileCity %	stop every mile or twoSub %	fairly steady speedHwy %	Hwy Spd	MPG
2012	4dr Hatch 416-horsepower Electric 1-speed automatic RWD	flat	lead	none	0	90	0	10	65	86.7

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Tesla Model S Electric Fuel Economy

Year	Body/Powertrain	flat, hilly, or mountainousLand	driving style: very light to "lead foot"Foot	A/C use: none to heavyA/C	constant stop and goTraf %	many stops per mileCity %	stop every mile or twoSub %	fairly steady speedHwy %	Hwy Spd	MPG
2016	4dr Hatch 373-horsepower Electric 1-speed automatic RWD	flat	lead	none	0	33	66	1	60	10.0
2012	4dr Hatch 416-horsepower Electric 1-speed automatic RWD	flat	light	none	10	10	10	70	110	18.4

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This page shows only averages. See all the Tesla Model S fuel economy data.

BMW 1-Series MPG

Year	Body/Powertrain	flat, hilly, or mountainousLand	driving style: very light to "lead foot"Foot	A/C use: none to heavyA/C	constant stop and goTraf %	many stops per mileCity %	stop every mile or twoSub %	fairly steady speedHwy %	Hwy Spd	MPG
2013	4dr Hatch turbocharged 215hp 2.0L I4 8-speed shiftable automatic RWD	flat	light	none	0	0	10	90	120	30.9
2012	2dr Coupe turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 7-speed automated manual RWD	flat	lead	hvy	0	0	70	30	70	23.0
2012	2dr Coupe 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	hvy	0	5	30	65	70	25.0
2011	2dr Coupe turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 7-speed automated manual RWD	flat	lead	hvy	5	10	35	50	80	23.0
2011	2dr Coupe 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	none	0	0	0	100	60	27.0
2011	2dr Convertible 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	none	5	29	48	19	65	24.0
2009	4dr Hatch turbocharged 141hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	none	14	7	34	46	120	37.9
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2009	2dr Coupe turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD	flat	med	light	13	20	17	49	65	22.1
2009	2dr Coupe turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	light	9	20	19	51	66	22.8
2009	2dr Coupe turbocharged 201hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	light	0	40	20	40	130	29.5
2009	2dr Coupe 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	none	0	25	0	75	90	24.2
2009	2dr Coupe 215-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD	hills	med	hvy	79	6	0	15	100	19.3
2009	2dr Convertible turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD	flat	light	none	5	0	45	50	70	22.7
2009	2dr Convertible 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	light	0	0	10	90	75	31.0
2008	2dr Coupe turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD	flat	med	light	19	27	13	41	69	21.7
2008	2dr Coupe turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	none	12	27	15	46	82	22.5
2008	2dr Coupe 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD	flat	med	light	14	24	16	46	70	27.7
2008	2dr Coupe 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD	flat	light	none	3	8	22	68	71	29.2
2008	2dr Convertible turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD	flat	med	none	0	3	32	66	65	23.2
2008	2dr Convertible turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD	flat	lead	none	5	0	10	85	90	20.0
2008	2dr Convertible 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD	flat	light	none	2	3	72	23	63	22.9
2008	2dr Convertible 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD	flat	light	light	0	16	30	54	70	26.0

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This page shows only averages. See all the BMW 1-Series fuel economy data.

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TrueDelta Reviews the Real Gas Mileage of the Tesla Model S

Tesla Model S Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Comment
2013	If the Tesla Model had a conventional gas-powered engine, few people would care about it. Plenty of established companies offer stylish, powerful, and luxurious sedans. Why place a $70,000+ bet on a new car from a new company? The reason just about everyone (and their mom) has heard of this upstart car company and its first completely in-house product is that the Model S, with its battery-powered electric motor, was engineered to render conventional cars passe. For anyone who must have the latest tech, it is the car to get. Two battery sizes are offered, 60 kWh and 85 kWh, the latter an additional $10,000. (A 40-kWh battery--actually a 60-kWh pack electronically limited to two-thirds of its capacity--was initially offered, but few early adopters opted for it and it has been discontinued.) The EPA rates the former for the equivalent of 94 mpg city, 97 mpg highway, the latter for 88/90. For reference, the much smaller, far less powerful Nissan LEAF is rated 129/102, considerably better in city (actually suburban) driving but not much more efficient on the highway. Among gas-powered competitors, the Audi A7 is rated 18/28 and the more powerful S7 is rated 17/27. Tesla's big advantage over other electric cars involves their shared primary limitation, range. In EPA testing, the LEAF's range was 75 miles, and other electrics in its price and size range manage about the same. In the same test, the two Model S packs achieved 208 and 265 miles, respectively. (Note: Range is significantly shorter for all electric cars in cold weather or when running the A/C.) Consider cost per mile, and the Tesla's fuel economy seems even better. At the national daytime average of 12 cents per kWh, the cost per mile is about four cents. (Charge at night, when rates are often discounted, and it's even less.) In comparison, an Audi A7 or S7 has a fuel cost of nearly twenty cents per mile. The average driver can save over $2,000 a year by driving a Model S. The major downside of the Tesla's electric powertrain (beyond purchase price) is the time required to charge its battery pack. With twin onboard chargers ($1,500) and a high-powered wall chargers ($1,200 plus installation) each 62 miles of range requires an hour. Easily practical for typical daily driving, but not for long-distance travel. For long-distance travel, Tesla is building a network of "Superchargers" and battery swapping stations. The Superchargers can provide half a full charge in 20 minutes. Free use of these is a $2,000 option with the regular pack and included in the price of the larger one. You'll be able to have the battery swapped in as little as 90 seconds. But the swap will cost $60 to $80 and you'll have to stop on the return trip to have the original pack re-installed or pay an additional charge. These stations will make long-distance travel feasible, but it will still be less convenient and/or more expensive than in a gas-powered car. see full Tesla Model S review

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What Our Members Are Saying about the Real Gas Mileage of the BMW 1-Series

BMW 1-Series Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2009	2dr Coupe 215-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD	fuel economy in this car compares and even competes with 2L 4 cylinders cars. see full BMW 1-Series review
2008	2dr Coupe 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD	Near 30 mpg combined see full BMW 1-Series review
2008	2dr Coupe 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD	Better than expected, given the performance (and how I drive it!) see full BMW 1-Series review

BMW 1-Series Real Gas Mileage: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2008	2dr Coupe 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD	Just ecause it's now 2012? Where's the diesel 123d? see full BMW 1-Series review