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by hwillis 3465 days ago
The biggest factor towards overall mpg is actually engine size, not aerodynamics. Gasoline engines have to run at their ideal power to stay efficient, induction motors do not (for the most part). You're eyeballing the wrong places if you're getting 40 mpg. Compare a BMW 5, 6 or 7 series- 19/27, 21/30, and 21/29 mpg. 25 is, if anything, optimistic. The only cars that get 40 mpg are subcompacts and some compact cars. 25.5 is a good balance between all of the small cars and the SUVs/pickups, because the Model S is between them in size and weight. In fact it tends towards the upper end- although it is very aerodynamic, it is a quite large and quite heavy car.

When the model 3 comes out, we'll be able to make better comparisons to high mpg ICEs like the fit, fiesta and civic.