The most expensive part of a Tesla (or any electric vehicle) is the battery. Therefore, you probably want to know “how long does a Tesla battery last” before you consider purchasing one.
That will depend on a few different things. An average Tesla owner can anticipate at least 267 miles of range from a single battery charge. Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, claims that the batteries in your car should last for 1,500 battery cycles, or 300,000 to 500,000 miles. According to the average person, that corresponds to 22 to 37 years.
Tesla is rumored to be working on a battery with a million-mile lifespan. But until batteries that can last a million miles are created, this will only be hearsay. Throughout the life of your car, you might also require a battery replacement.
How Long Do Tesla Batteries Last by Model?
On average, Tesla car batteries last for 336 miles on a single charge. The Model 3 has a range of 267 miles, while the Model S has a range of 405 miles. It’s not a given that your Tesla will achieve exactly the range listed below because these are Tesla’s stated average mileage figures. The length of time your Tesla battery lasts depends on a number of variables, including the weather and your driving habits.
- Why do Tesla models differ in their range?
The model is the main reason why the overall range of your Tesla is affected by a number of variables. A smaller internal battery, for instance, is present in the reasonably priced Model 3. The long-range Model S, on the other hand, has a bigger, more powerful battery and excellent acceleration. It’s crucial to remember that a wider range entails a higher price. Your actual range will differ from the listed standard range due to more specific factors.
With more and more offerings each year, Teslas come in many different ranges on a fully-charged battery:
How durable are Tesla batteries? Ranges by car model
| MODEL AND VERSION | RANGE |
| Model 3 Long Range | 358 miles |
| Model 3 Performance | 315 miles |
| Model S | 405 miles |
| Model S Plaid | 396 miles |
| Model X | 348 miles |
| Model X Plaid | 333 miles |
| Model Y Long Range | 330 miles |
| Model Y Performance | 303 miles |
Particularly in comparison to other electric cars on the market, all Tesla models have impressive ranges. You can take the majority on long road trips and feel reasonably secure getting where you need to go thanks to Tesla’s expanding nationwide network of chargers. The Model 3 will function perfectly for a daily commuter but may require recharging every few days. For longer road trips, both Model S options have plenty of range, allowing you to travel without frequently stopping at Superchargers, Tesla’s extensive network of super-fast charging stations.
Key Tesla Battery Range Factors
You might be confused as to why there is such a big difference in battery life between the different Tesla models. Tesla’s car models, like those made by traditional gas-powered automakers, each have distinctive features that affect how long their batteries last. Most importantly, battery size and car model each play a big part in determining a the particular range of Tesla.
Battery Size
A larger battery will typically provide more energy storage and a greater operating range. For instance, the Tesla Model S has a 98 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery, while the Model 3 has an 80.5 kWh battery. This is understandable given that the Model S’s range is significantly greater than the Model 3’s (405 miles vs. 315 miles, respectively).
Tesla Model
Ultimately, electric vehicles that use their stored energy more effectively will extend the life of their batteries. There are many factors that affect performance, including aerodynamics, tire-road friction, drivetrain effectiveness, car weight, and more. Tesla models with cutting-edge drivetrain technology and light weight (typically in newer models) will use stored electricity more effectively than models with an older, less effective drivetrain and a bulkier frame.
How Long Does a Tesla Battery Warranty Last?
Knowing how long a Tesla vehicle’s battery could last is one thing, but understanding how long it should last with reasonable performance is quite another. Tesla’s battery warranty is not the same as the 300,000 to 500,000 miles Elon Musk mentioned on Twitter.
A new Tesla battery and drive unit warranty covers two things:
- Length of time or miles driven (eight years or 100,000 to 150,000 miles driven, depending on the model), whichever comes first
- A guaranteed battery capacity of 70 percent of its starting capacity during the warranty period
So, for the Model S, Tesla says that if your car holds less than 70 percent of its original battery capacity after driving it for eight years or 100,000 to 150,000 miles (whichever comes first), you’re eligible for “any repair or replacement necessary to correct defects in the materials or workmanship”, for free.
Tesla car battery warranties by model
| CAR | WARRANTY | BATTERY CAPACITY RETENTION |
| Model S | 8 years or 150,000 miles | 70% |
| Model X | 8 years or 150,000 miles | 70% |
| Model 3 | 8 years or 100,000 miles | 70% |
| Model 3 Long Range | 8 years or 120,000 miles | 70% |
| Model 3 Performance | 8 years or 120,000 miles | 70% |
| Model Y Long Range | 8 years or 120,000 miles | 70% |
| Model Y Performance | 8 years or 120,000 miles | 70% |
Tesla’s battery warranty is pretty comparable to other popular EV models:
- Nissan Leaf EV: eight-year or 100,000-mile warranty, guarantees 75 percent of battery capacity
- Toyota EVs: eight-year or 100,000-mile warranty, guarantees 70 percent of battery capacity
- Ford Mustang Mach-E EV: eight-year or 100,000-mile warranty, guarantees 70 percent of battery capacity
Tesla’s Model 3 warranty, which is valid for eight years and 100,000 miles, currently has the lowest mileage requirement. For context, that equates to 240 miles per week, or 24 miles per day, or 12,500 miles annually.
Actions That Reduce Tesla’s Battery Life
Most Tesla owners wonder why their car’s battery drains so quickly. It can happen when you are lost in the wilderness or are running late for an early-morning meeting. The five most frequent activities that drain your Tesla battery are listed below.
Extreme Temperatures
Your Tesla battery rapidly loses power when it is exposed to more heat. Additionally, its lifespan is shorter due to this.
In addition, a battery drains quickly in cold weather. On the battery’s surface, it occasionally can lead to the formation of lead sulfate crystals. If the car is left in a cold location for a long period of time, this will occur.
Overcharging and Trickle Charging.
You must have once allowed your phone to charge completely while you slept. Although it does feel wonderful, if you make it a habit, it will harm your battery.
The same is true for Tesla vehicles. Nobody feels secure when they go to sleep in a Tesla that has no charge.
Trickle charging is the action at hand. It generates a lot of heat in your battery. Such circumstances shorten your battery’s lifespan and cause a rapid loss of power.
Poor Charging System
Your Tesla model’s charging system could malfunction, though it’s uncommon. The alternator of the vehicle is impacted.
The radio, screen, and lights on your Tesla are all powered by the alternator. But it will enable the system to absorb more power if it has issues like loose belts. As a result, the battery’s range will decrease.
Many Short Drives
The battery capacity of your Tesla will be reduced as you make more short drives. The engine will use the majority of the power when your car is first started. Now, if it happens every few seconds, the car battery will need to be recharged about every hour after you start the engine.
Any vehicle is not harmed by brief drives. But keep them in check to prolong the battery’s life.
Bad Care of Your Tesla
After a difficult day, you might occasionally come home and leave your Tesla’s lights on. You may occasionally have erred in this way.
You should be aware that if you let it become the norm, your battery will die. Therefore, check to make sure no car systems are running before closing the door behind your lovely Tesla.
What Charging Options Do I Have When Buying a Tesla
According to a model’s features, Tesla uses a different type of lithium-ion battery. A 100 kilowatt-hour battery is used in the Model X and Model S in order to increase their capacity on a single charge.
The rate of charging will vary depending on the type of EV charger you use and the make and model of your vehicle. Consider the Model S as an example. The Performance and Long Range Models come with an 11.5 kilowatt-hour onboard charger, which means it will take 6 hours to fully charge a 60 kilowatt-hour battery.
Tesla stopped including wall chargers with their vehicles just this year, so you’ll need to purchase one separately.
Superchargers can be used for a fee. These can provide you with a range of up to 200 miles after only 15 minutes of charging.
Just be careful when using these high-speed chargers because they can shorten the lifespan of your car and strain EV batteries.
The Level 1/Level 2 Tesla Charger by Lectron, however, offers a practical solution. You can charge your Tesla at home or while traveling thanks to the interchangeable NEMA 5-15 and 14-50 plugs that are included.
Also, Tesla drivers have everything they need to fully charge their EV batteries over night thanks to charging stations like the Lectron V-BOX 40A and 48A and the Lectron J1772 to Tesla adapter.
Fully Charged Tesla Compared to Gas-powered Cars
Tesla provides electric vehicle range and battery life that are best in class. Teslas are significantly more expensive than gas-powered vehicles and range in price from $40,000 to $125,000, depending on the model.
However, how does your Tesla compare to regular cars?
Here are the ranges of some of the most popular vehicles in the market:
- Audi A7: 463 miles
- Audi Q7: 450 miles
- BMW 330i: 468 miles
- Honda Accord: 488 miles
- Nissan Altima: 518 miles
- Toyota Corolla: 436 miles
In comparison to a full Tesla charge, conventional vehicles typically have a longer range (longer mileage). The Model S is the closest; the 405-mile range of this Tesla battery. However, it won’t be long before EVs can match or even outperform conventional cars in terms of range as battery technology develops.
Driving an electric car will save you more money in the long run than driving a traditional car, especially in these times of skyrocketing gas prices.
Solar panels are the best option for even greater cost savings. In addition to being a sustainable source of energy, the electricity is also free. The solar and electric vehicle (EV) industries, for example, may begin to integrate more fully in the future.
How Often Do Tesla Batteries Need to Be Replaced
Once it has lost 20% of its range, your Tesla needs a new battery. According to reports, Tesla owners only lose 5% after 100,000 miles.
In a Tweet, Tesla CEO Elon Musk asserted that a Tesla battery can travel between 300,000 and 500,000 miles. Your battery life should last between 21 and 35 years if you drive no more than 273 miles per week over the national average.
The point is that replacing a Tesla battery is extremely unlikely to occur. You’re more likely to need to replace your electric car before your battery.
How to Look After Tesla Battery?
Long-time smartphone users may already be familiar with declining battery health and more frequent charge cycles. Batteries used in electric vehicles also experience this.
However, a replacement battery for your Tesla can cost you an arm and a leg, unlike the lithium-ion batteries in your smartphone.
Long-term cost savings can be enormous with proper battery care.
Here are a few tips on how to keep the battery capacity of your Tesla model in optimum condition and limit time between charge cycles:
Only Use Superchargers When Necessary
Fast charging produces more heat than the standard “slow” charging. Lithium-ion batteries deteriorate under excessive heat. The frequency with which Tesla vehicles are Supercharged may reduce their lifespan and have an impact on their battery capacity.
Don’t Charge above 80% Unless You Need To
Don’t consume a battery if you don’t require the entire range. To maintain battery health for typical daily use, it’s recommended to charge to between 80% and 90%. Keep your battery charge above 20% and don’t let it fall below that.
Maintain a Regular Charging Schedule
Uphold the practice of charging. The key is being consistent. Utilize lower voltage home chargers and charging stations to maintain a regular charging schedule. Your batteries won’t be overworked when you charge at a lower voltage.
Drive More Smoothly
Avoid accelerating suddenly. Long periods of excessive acceleration quickly deplete your battery. The range of your car may be impacted, and the tires may deteriorate more quickly.
What Else Impacts Tesla Battery Ranges?
Your battery range and battery life may be significantly impacted by your driving style and the environment. According to Tesla, driving uphill, inclement weather, and a lot of stop-and-go traffic can put stress on your battery and reduce its lifespan and initial capacity.
Your battery requires more power during bad weather to keep its ideal operating temperature. The regenerative braking system in your car may also be impacted by cold weather.
Maintaining tire pressure can also help you preserve range. A lighter load also helps because it takes more energy to move a heavy load.
The Cost to Replace Tesla Battery
Various lithium-ion battery configurations have been used in Tesla vehicles over the years. It is difficult to estimate the cost because there haven’t been many documented battery replacements. However, the price of the battery could be between $12,000 and $15,000. The cost of labor varies, but you should budget between $20,000 and $22,000 for a new battery.
FAQs
How Do I Charge My Tesla?
To maintain battery health, it is advised to charge your Tesla vehicles to between 80% and 90%. Additionally, try to keep your battery charge above 20%.
How Do I Check If the Battery on a Used Tesla is Still Good?
The simplest method to assess battery life is to track a Tesla’s mileage and battery capacity over time. Once the battery has lost 20% of its capacity, it needs to be replaced. It is said that after 100,000 miles, Tesla owners only lose 5%.
Is Battery Degradation a Consideration When Buying a Used Tesla?
With studies indicating that there is only a 10% performance decrease after 160,000 miles, Tesla’s battery technology makes your electric vehicle more dependable over time. So, up until that point, your car should perform at its best. Batteries come with warranties that last for eight years or between 100,000 and 150,000 miles of range, whichever comes first in the event that your battery stops working.
Do Different Tesla Models Have Different Batteries?
All of Tesla’s vehicles use lithium-ion batteries, but not all of them are the same. Their EVs use four different types of batteries: the 18650-type, the 2170-type, the 4680-type, and the prismatic-type Tesla battery.
What is the Lifespan of a Tesla Battery?
You may be wondering how long a Tesla battery can last. 300,000 to 500,000 miles, or 1,500 battery cycles, is the maximum range for Tesla car batteries. If you drive 40 miles per day, that translates to approximately 22 to 37 years.
Conclusion
The model, your driving habits, and the battery type all affect how many hours and years your Tesla battery can last. Drivers pay close attention to the battery life before purchasing any Tesla vehicle.
The majority of Tesla batteries have a range of between 300,000 and 500,000 miles. If you take good care of the battery, it might even get better.
Your battery’s life will be extended by using the advice in this article. Your car will perform better. Additionally, you’ll spend less on battery upkeep and repair.
Do you consider Tesla cars to be the best electric vehicle models? We’d love to know why you believe that.
