Tesla has been the frontrunner in the electric car movement leaving most car manufacturers in its dust to play catch up. Having the lead has allowed the US carmaker to work out the kinks and focus on improving on quality while maintaining momentum in innovation. Electric vehicles will definitely become more mainstream in the future, and a lot of that depends on affordability for the average consumer.
However, that said, EVs still have a way to go to work out the best route for batteries. This is something that affects all EV manufacturers and it’s not a Tesla-related problem, although we expect Tesla will pave the way in battery improvements.
The reality is: EV batteries are not immortal, but that’s hardly an issue to put anyone off buying an electric vehicle if you compare it to the issues and long-term costs that come with petrol/diesel powered cars.
So, how long does a Tesla battery actually last?
It’s a fact. An electric car’s battery will deplete over time and there are various factors that will contribute to the rate at which it degrades such as usage and charging habits.
Tesla’s car batteries are similar to other EV batteries with cobalt sitting at the core. Cobalt is not a sustainable component because it is expensive and there are environmental and ethical issues with mining.
Last year, Tesla revealed that its new battery technology will move away cobalt with more focus on using nickel and manganese. This will help Tesla’s efforts in producing cheaper batters while also improving the range on its vehicles.
Tesla has an 8-year warranty on its cars that have varying mileage and during this warranty period, it states the battery retains at least 70% of its original capacity.
The warranty on the Model S and X variants is 8-years or 150,000 miles. The Model 3 Standard Range is covered for 100,000 miles and the Long Range and Performance versions are 120,000 miles.
Depending on the Tesla vehicle will depend on the battery performance on a single charge:
Tesla Model S Range
| Long Range | 412 miles |
| Plaid | 390 miles |
| Plaid+ | 520 miles |
Tesla Model X Range
| Long Range | 360 miles |
| Plaid | 340 miles |
Tesla Model 3 Range
| Standard Range+ | 278 miles |
| Long Range | 360 miles |
| Performance | 352 miles |
How to maximize the life of your Tesla battery?
Like with anything we buy that’s expensive, it needs looking after and that’s no different to owning a Tesla EV. Here are some tips of what you can do to get the most out your battery.
Have a Regular Charging Routine
If possible, try to develop a routine for charging where your vehicle has a chance to get a good charge versus doing short charging randomly and in a rush. Every time the battery gets a charge, it makes a small dent in the battery life. Longer and infrequent charges are better than short, regular ones.
Supercharge Sparingly
The Tesla Supercharge network is highly practical and quite impressive when you need to charge up within minutes. However, relying solely on the supercharge is not always a good thing. Using a 125kW fast charge all the time does cause more wear and tear on the battery. That’s where the regular routine will help. If your car gets a nice, long charge at home on a regular basis, it will optimize the battery’s health.
Be a Good Driver
There are sound driving habits that will also help your battery’s life. If you’re an erratic driver, it will affect the condition of the battery. Ways you can improve on driving is to avoid slamming on the brakes before coming to a stop, avoid over accelerating every time you pull away, and consistently driving at the speed limit.
Small changes applied with care will benefit the longevity of your Tesla battery while also getting the most out of the vehicle’s range.
