Tesla Model X sheds nearly 190 kilograms in a decade
Tesla’s largest electric SUV shows that a car’s weight can fall over ten years rather than rise. The 2026 Model X weighs more than 180 kilograms less than the 2016 version. Chief engineer Lars Moravy says the lighter figure comes from steady updates to the structure. The result is improved range and sharper dynamics, qualities that place the Model X back in a favourable light against its rivals.
Tesla’s engineers carried out a thorough round of fine tuning, and the weight loss came from many different corners.
An updated rear drive module cut mass by about 45 kilograms.
New battery cells saved close to 40 kilograms.
Shorter high voltage cables trimmed another 20 kilograms.
Reworked aluminium casting techniques reduced the frame’s weight by roughly 9 kilograms.
Thinner interior materials removed around 36 kilograms.
Even the small things mattered. The design of the seatbelt mounts became 2.7 kilograms lighter. Adjusting the thickness of certain plastic parts took off a further two.
Electric cars usually grow heavier with age, because safety and comfort features pile up. Tesla chose a different path, and it counts as a notable technical achievement. The Model X weight drop shows that Tesla is actively searching for ways to make electric cars more efficient without cutting comfort or the level of technology. While many rivals pursue ever larger battery packs, Tesla favours smarter materials and cleaner engineering. It is a strategy that could nudge the market forward, because a lighter car delivers better range and uses less energy without the need for a bigger battery.
