Tesla Battery Longevity: How Long Do EV Batteries Really Last?

The Truth About Tesla Battery Longevity

Electric vehicles (EVs) have been on the road for quite some time now, but there are still many misconceptions about how long their batteries actually last. When EV technology was new, many people doubted that these cars would last very long before needing complete battery replacements. While some vehicles and owners have encountered issues over the years, the reality is quite different from what EV critics would have you believe.

If you own a Tesla or another EV, you've likely heard the same questions repeatedly:

• Don't the batteries deteriorate quickly?
• Aren't they expensive to replace?
• Will you have to replace the battery multiple times?

The truth is that while these batteries can be expensive to replace when necessary, the odds of ever needing to do so are much more in your favor than you might think. Let's break down some facts about Tesla's battery longevity, including average lifespans, the longest-lasting Teslas still on the road, and what to expect when your Tesla reaches 200,000 miles.

Tesla's Battery Lifespan Expectations

Before diving into real-world examples of long-lasting Teslas, let's discuss how long the automaker expects your car and its battery to last. Tesla has been vocal about designing these batteries to last for a very long time. Their specified goal is for these battery packs to outlast the vehicle itself.

Elon Musk has mentioned that these cars are designed to last between 300,000 to 500,000 miles or 500 full charge cycles. While it's important to remember that Musk tends to be optimistic in his projections, this indicates that Tesla is designing these cars with longevity in mind.

As a point of comparison, Tesla's research found that the average internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle is scrapped after just 200,000 miles in the US and only 150,000 miles in Europe. If a Tesla vehicle can outlast an ICE vehicle by nearly two times, that's a significant advantage for EVs.

Tesla Battery Warranty

While Tesla makes bold claims about battery longevity, it's worth noting the actual warranty coverage:

• Every Tesla is guaranteed 70% of its original battery capacity after a maximum of 8 years or up to a certain mileage limit, whichever comes first.
• The rear-wheel-drive Model 3 and Y are covered for 100,000 miles.
• All other trims of the Model 3 and Y are covered for 120,000 miles.
• The Model S, X, and Cybertruck are covered up to 150,000 miles.

This warranty is quite comprehensive and covers most instances where people have needed battery replacements.

Real-World Examples of Long-Lasting Tesla Batteries

Model 3 Exceeding 300,000 Miles

One of the most impressive recent stories involves a Tesla Model 3 owner who exceeded 300,000 miles on their original battery pack. What's even more remarkable is how well the battery was still performing after all those miles.

According to Tesla's internal testing, the average Model 3 is expected to lose around 15% of its original capacity after driving 200,000 miles. However, this particular vehicle had only lost 15% of its original capacity after 300,000 miles. This means the car retained 85% of its original battery capacity after driving 100,000 miles further than Tesla's own estimates.

While this particular case may be an outlier, it's an encouraging sign that in some instances, these batteries are performing even better than expected.

Model 3 Performance at 200,000 Miles

Another noteworthy example is a 2018 Model 3 Performance that broke the 200,000-mile threshold earlier this year. This vehicle reached this milestone on its original battery pack, with almost all of its charging done using Tesla Superchargers.

For a long time, conventional wisdom suggested that frequently using DC fast charging as the primary charging method would wear down the battery faster than home charging. However, recent studies have shown almost no correlation between frequent Supercharger use and battery life.

In this owner's case, they noticed the steepest drop in range during the first 75,000 miles of ownership, which is common. After that, the degradation slowed to a much more gradual slope, with the owner reporting hardly any difference in the last 100,000 miles.

At 200,000 miles, the car's battery still accepts about 66 kWh of energy, compared to 75 kWh when new. That's about 88% of its original capacity, equivalent to a range drop from a theoretical maximum of 310 miles to 270 miles - still very impressive.

Model Y Reaching 250,000 Miles

The Tesla Model Y, an SUV built using many of the same parts and design as the Model 3, is a more recent addition to Tesla's lineup. As Tesla's best-selling car and the best-selling car in the world, it's crucial to understand how well these vehicles hold up over time.

One owner recently reported that their 2022 Long Range Model Y had just passed the 250,000-mile mark on its original battery. Considering the car is only a few years old, this high mileage indicates heavy usage. The owner reported that within this time, they never had to take the car in for any extensive service.

The vehicle is still driving on not just its original battery but also its original stock brake pads and windshield. The only components that needed replacement were the cabin air filters and tires. In terms of battery degradation, the vehicle lost only slightly more than 15% of its original capacity, leaving it with a top range of around 270 miles on a charge.

This example is particularly impressive because it's over 50,000 miles ahead of Tesla's own internal testing figures and has barely lost more than the standard deterioration seen at the 200,000-mile mark.

Longevity of Other Tesla Components

Beyond just the battery, these examples demonstrate how long-lived other parts of Tesla vehicles can be. By design, electric vehicles are comparatively simple when compared to ICE vehicles, meaning there are far fewer components that can break or require maintenance.

EVs have no belts, valves, spark plugs, pipes, or many other parts that typically fail or require regular maintenance in traditional vehicles. Even the brake pads on an electric vehicle wear out much more slowly due to regenerative braking.

In most EV driving scenarios, you primarily use one pedal to operate the vehicle. When you take your foot off the accelerator, the EV begins to brake using regenerative braking. This process not only slows the vehicle but also generates some electricity, increasing range and preserving the brake pads.

Model S and X Battery Longevity

Tesla's internal research on the Model S and X at the 200,000-mile mark shows even better results than the Model 3 and Y. They found that at 200,000 miles, the Model S and X typically only lost about 12% of their original battery capacity.

For context, the base trim of the Model S has a theoretical maximum range of 405 miles on a single charge. After 200,000 miles and an average remaining capacity of about 88%, that means this car can theoretically still travel around 356 miles on a single charge. For comparison, the longest-range trim of the new Model 3 gets about 358 miles on a single charge today.

There are numerous examples of high-mileage Model S and X vehicles:

• A 2017 Model X in Germany reached 200,000 miles in its first five years, losing only about 10% of its original capacity.
• A pair of Model S vehicles used as taxis have reached 430,000 and 375,000 miles respectively on their original batteries.

The Model S with 430,000 miles has reportedly only lost about 65 miles of range in total, which is extremely impressive even as an outlier.

New Research on EV Battery Longevity

A recent study conducted by the consulting group P3 on the long-term health and viability of EV batteries, based on a sample size of 7,000 EVs of varying ages and mileage, revealed surprising results. The research team initially expected to see a steep decline in battery health at higher mileages. Instead, they found that most cars saw very little deterioration even after intensive use.

According to the study, "Almost all of the P3 vehicles tested have a state of health of over 90%. It indicates that the batteries in the P3 fleet continue to perform very well despite different manufacturers, different usage profiles, and intensive use."

Even in lab settings, EV batteries from various brands are holding up much better than anyone could have expected.

Comparing EV Longevity to ICE Vehicles

While there are many stories of Tesla vehicles achieving high mileage on their original batteries, how does this compare to the average gas-powered car?

As mentioned earlier, Tesla estimates that the average gas car is scrapped after 200,000 miles in the US. However, AutoTrader data suggests that a well-maintained gas car can last between 200,000 to 300,000 miles or between 15 to 22 years overall.

Of course, there's no one-size-fits-all answer, as total mileage depends on factors like vehicle age, driving conditions, and build quality. Reaching high mileages in ICE vehicles is highly dependent on regular maintenance due to their complex machinery and numerous moving parts.

In contrast, EVs require much less maintenance overall, making it easier to reach those 200,000-mile thresholds. This not only saves money in the short term but also increases the likelihood of the vehicle lasting longer overall.

The Cost of Battery Replacement

While most EV owners will never need to replace their battery, it's important to understand the potential costs involved if it becomes necessary. Currently, most EV battery replacements have likely been covered under warranty, as Tesla is still a relatively new company and most EV sales have occurred in recent years.

As these cars age and more units exceed their warranties, we'll start getting more data on out-of-pocket battery replacement costs. Unfortunately, there's no single number we can point to, as many factors impact pricing, including:

• The specific vehicle model
• Battery size and capacity
• Labor costs, which can vary significantly

Here are some general estimates based on data collected by Recurrent Auto:

• Model S: Battery unit costs between $12,000 to $15,000, with a total replacement cost (including labor) of around $20,000 to $22,000.
• Model 3: Battery pack costs about $13,500, with a total replacement cost of around $16,000.

While these prices are high, it's worth considering that they effectively double the life of your vehicle, which already lasts longer than most ICE vehicles.

The Future of EV Battery Costs

The good news is that EV battery costs are dropping rapidly. According to the US Department of Energy, the average EV battery has fallen in price by as much as 90% since 2008, from $1,415 per kilowatt-hour to just $139 per kilowatt-hour by the end of 2023.

Goldman Sachs expects these prices to drop even further, potentially reaching $99 per kilowatt-hour sometime this year. They project an 11% price drop every year until at least 2030, largely due to declining prices of EV raw materials such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt.

By 2030, data suggests that an EV battery pack replacement could be lower in price than replacing the average internal combustion engine. Some firms, like RMI, are even more optimistic, projecting that prices could drop to just $32 per kilowatt-hour by the end of the decade.

Emerging Battery Technologies

Beyond cost reductions, companies worldwide are working on new cell technologies that could make batteries last even longer:

Dry Cathode Batteries

Tesla and other companies are developing batteries that use a dry cathode instead of traditional wet cathode techniques. This method could:

• Dramatically reduce costs
• Take up less production space
• Use fewer toxic materials
• Be better for the environment
• Potentially create higher density cells

Tesla has already produced a prototype Cybertruck powered by these cells and is conducting internal testing.

Solid-State Batteries

Solid-state batteries use a solid electrolyte instead of the liquid electrolyte found in current lithium-ion batteries. If successfully developed at scale, solid-state batteries could offer:

• Over 10 times higher energy density than existing cells
• Potential ranges over 900 miles on a single charge

Many major automakers, including Toyota and Honda, are working on developing solid-state batteries for commercial use within the next few years.

Conclusion

For current and prospective EV owners, the question of battery longevity is crucial. While EV technology is still relatively new, time has made the truth of the situation clear: Tesla vehicles, and EVs more broadly, seem to last considerably longer than equivalent ICE vehicles on average.

The rapid advancements in battery technology across the industry mean that each new generation of EV is likely to be even better than the last. As it stands now, reaching the 200,000-mile mark in a Tesla vehicle is completely feasible in most cases.

While it's true that some customers have encountered issues with their batteries, these cases appear to be the exception rather than the rule. The widespread negative perception of EV battery longevity isn't supported by the facts.

As we look to the future, with promising developments in battery technology and continually decreasing costs, the outlook for EV battery longevity is bright. The coming years, as more Model 3 and Y vehicles age, will provide even more data on long-term EV battery performance.

Ultimately, the evidence suggests that EV batteries, particularly those in Tesla vehicles, are lasting much longer than many initially expected. This longevity, combined with lower maintenance requirements and decreasing battery replacement costs, makes EVs an increasingly attractive option for long-term vehicle ownership.

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