Will I make it from Reno to South Lake Tahoe?
In July, all 5 of these popular EVs make it from Reno to South Lake Tahoe on a 90% charge with at least 10% to spare; in January, all 5 do. The biggest winter drain: the 2,700 ft climb uses 8%.
62 miles, about 1 h 6 min of driving. Leaving at 8 AM on a typical January and July day.
Check your own car and charge level
January and July, car by car
Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD
January · 26°F
Yes
Arrives with 55–64%
The 2,700 ft climb uses 7%
July · 59°F
Yes
Arrives with 62–69%
The 2,700 ft climb uses 7%
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
January · 26°F
Yes
Arrives with 56–65%
The 2,700 ft climb uses 8%
July · 59°F
Yes
Arrives with 64–70%
The 2,700 ft climb uses 8%
Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD
January · 26°F
Yes
Arrives with 54–63%
The 2,700 ft climb uses 7%
July · 59°F
Yes
Arrives with 61–68%
The 2,700 ft climb uses 7%
Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD
January · 26°F
Yes
Arrives with 55–65%
The 2,700 ft climb uses 7%
July · 59°F
Yes
Arrives with 63–69%
The 2,700 ft climb uses 7%
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD
January · 26°F
Yes
Arrives with 53–63%
The 2,700 ft climb uses 7%
July · 59°F
Yes
Arrives with 61–67%
The 2,700 ft climb uses 7%
Yes means the low end of the range still arrives with 10% or more. Close means the likely answer does, but a colder or windier day might not. No means you'll need to stop.
Best fast-charging stops on the way
- Reno, NV - Element Lane - Tesla Supercharger — Reno, NV · Tesla · mile 5 · up to 250 kW
- Carson City — Carson City, NV · EV Range · mile 37 · up to 180 kW
- Zephyr Cove, NV - Tesla Supercharger — Zephyr Cove, NV · Tesla · mile 57 · up to 50 kW
Questions about this trip
Will I make it from Reno to South Lake Tahoe in winter?
On a mid-January morning, 5 of 5 popular EVs make the 62-mile drive from a 90% charge and arrive with at least 10%. Typical temperature on the way: 26°F.
Where should I charge between Reno and South Lake Tahoe?
The best DC fast-charging stops on the way, in order: Reno, NV - Element Lane - Tesla Supercharger (mile 5); Carson City (mile 37); Zephyr Cove, NV - Tesla Supercharger (mile 57). Charge to about 80%; above that, charging slows sharply.
How much battery does the climb between Reno and South Lake Tahoe use?
In a Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD, the 2,700 ft climb uses about 7% of the battery on a January day. Coming down gives some of it back through regenerative braking, but not all of it.
What is the best EV for Reno to South Lake Tahoe?
Of the 5 popular EVs we check, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD arrives with the most charge on a January day: about 61% (56–65%) from a 90% start. In July it arrives with about 67%.
How we work this out
Each answer drives the real road route in 30-meter steps: speed, climbs and descents (with regenerative braking), rolling resistance, cabin heating or cooling, a cold battery's lower capacity, and the typical wind. Temperatures are NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals for each place along the way. Every car is calibrated to its EPA highway rating. Each car starts at 90%.
Updated . Sources: Stadia Maps road routes and elevation, NOAA climate normals, fueleconomy.gov, and the U.S. DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center.