How Long Does a Tesla Car Battery Last? Tips to Extend Battery Life

Learn how to prolong the battery’s life, how much a replacement Tesla battery will cost, and how long the battery will last.

In a Tesla (or any other electric vehicle), the battery is the most expensive part. Therefore, you probably want to know how long a Tesla battery lasts before you think about purchasing one. On a full charge, a Tesla battery travels between 303 and 405 miles and is said to have a lifetime range of between 300,000 and 500,000 miles.

As a result, this blog will focus on the variables that affect a Tesla battery’s range as well as suggestions for enhancing it.

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• How to Install a Tesla Charger at Home?

How Long Does a Tesla Car Battery Last?

Depending on your car, the battery model, and your driving style, your Tesla’s battery range can change. Most Tesla batteries should have a range of at least 300 miles when they’re in excellent condition.

On average, Tesla car batteries last for 336 miles on a single charge. The Model 3 is the Tesla model with the shortest range at 267 miles, and the Model S has the longest range at 405 miles. There is no assurance that your Tesla will achieve the exact range listed below since these are Tesla’s stated average mileage figures. Factors like your driving style and the weather will impact how many miles your Tesla battery lasts.

Why Do Tesla Models Vary by Range?

The model is the main reason why your Tesla’s overall range is affected by a number of variables. As an illustration, the inexpensive Model 3 has a smaller internal battery. On the other hand, the long-range Model S accelerates quickly and has a bigger, more powerful battery. It’s crucial to keep in mind that higher prices correspond to a wider range.

In addition to the general range listed, more particular factors will also affect your actual range. With more and more offerings each year, Teslas come in many different ranges on a fully-charged battery:

What Factors Will Impact Tesla’s Battery Range?

You might be curious as to why there is such a big difference in battery life between the different Tesla models. Tesla’s car models, like those of other manufacturers of conventional gas-powered vehicles, 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 the particular range of Tesla.

Battery Size

As a general rule, a larger battery provides more energy storage and a greater operating distance. For instance, the Model 3 is outfitted with an 80.5 kWh battery, whereas the Tesla Model S has a 98 kWh battery. This makes sense, as the Model S has a much longer range than the Model 3 (405 miles vs. 315 miles, respectively).

Tesla Model

Ultimately, electric vehicles that utilize their stored energy more effectively will extend the life of their batteries. Aerodynamics, friction between tires and the road, drivetrain efficiency, car weight, and more all play a role. Tesla models with cutting-edge drivetrain technology (typically in newer models) and low weight will use stored electricity more effectively than models with an older, less efficient drivetrain and a bulkier frame.

Extreme Temperatures

Your Tesla battery quickly loses power if the surrounding area is hotter. Additionally, its lifespan is shorter due to this. Colder temperatures also hasten the battery’s depletion. On occasion, it can result in the growth of crystals of lead sulfate on the battery’s surface. If you leave the car in a chilly location for a long 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 of Tesla automobiles. No one feels safe when they sleep while their Tesla car is at zero charge.

Trickle charging is being used in this situation. Your battery becomes extremely hot as a result. Such circumstances shorten the life of your battery and cause it to lose power quickly.

We also explore the charging time of the Tesla Cybertruck, Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model S P100D, Tesla Semi, Tesla Model S, Tesla Model X, Tesla Model Y, Tesla Model S Plaid, and Tesla Roadster.

Poor Charging System

Though it’s rare, your Tesla model can have a problem with its charging system. The alternator in the car is impacted. Recall that your Tesla’s radio, screen, and lights are all powered by the alternator. It will, however, enable the system to absorb more power if it has issues, such as loose belts. So, the battery will reduce its range.

Many Short Drives

Your Tesla’s battery capacity will decline as you make more local drives. The engine will use the most power when your car is first started. If this continues, the car battery will need to be recharged approximately every hour after you start your vehicle. Short drives aren’t harmful to any vehicle. Limit them, though, to preserve the battery’s lifetime range.

Bad Care of Your Tesla

After a difficult day, you might occasionally come home and leave your Tesla lights on. You may have occasionally erred by doing that. You should be aware that if you make it a habit, your battery will die. So make sure no car systems are running before you close the door behind your sweet Tesla.

Tips to Extend Tesla Battery Life

Long-time smartphone users may already be familiar with decreasing battery health, and more frequent charge cycles. Batteries for electric cars also experience this. However, a replacement battery for your Tesla will likely cost you a fortune in contrast to the lithium-ion batteries in your smartphone.

Knowing how to take care of your batteries can help you save tons of money in the long run. Here are a few tips on how to keep the battery capacity of your Tesla model in optimum condition and limit the time between charge cycles:

Only Use Superchargers When Necessary

Fast charging produces more heat than standard “slow” charging. Lithium-ion batteries degrade when exposed to excessive heat. Utilizing Superchargers frequently could reduce Tesla vehicle lifespan and battery capacity.

Don’t Charge above 80% Unless You Need To

Don’t use the battery to its maximum capacity if you don’t need to. For normal daily use, it’s advisable to charge to around 80% to 90% to maintain battery health. Don’t allow your battery to lose more than 20% of its charge.

Maintain a Regular Charging Schedule

Maintain a charging habit. The secret is being reliable. 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. Read More: How to Find a Tesla Supercharger Station?

Drive More Smoothly

Avoid abrupt acceleration changes. Long periods of excessive acceleration quickly deplete your battery. It can also cause the tires to deteriorate more quickly and reduce your vehicle’s range.

Use the Energy App

You can use Tesla’s special energy app to protect the battery because the company makes intelligent automobiles. Every Tesla touchscreen has this software. As you drive your new Tesla, the app records your driving pattern. It will use this data to show you the time you can use your car on your trips before the battery gets low.

Additionally, the app will display your charging requirements for any trip using this data. Open the touchscreen, then tap the energy icon to download the app. Read More: 15 Best Tesla Apps For Tesla Owners

Reduce the Aero Drag

The battery will be under less strain if your Tesla can easily cut through the air. It explains why sedans consume less fuel than long trucks. Ensure you remove the roof and cycle racks when you don’t use them. Despite requiring more work, your Tesla battery will benefit from it.

How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Tesla Battery?

Tesla batteries are not inexpensive. You may have to pay between $5,000 and $7,000 to replace one battery. However, Tesla cars don’t use a single battery to power them.

A few remanufactured battery packs can cost a little over $16,000. Battery replacement prices are also wildly inconsistent. On the other hand, a new pack for the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range starts at $40,000. The Model S Long Range pack’s price could reach $84,000.

How Often Do Tesla Batteries Need to Be Replaced?

Once it has lost 20% of its range, your Tesla needs a new battery. After 100,000 miles, Tesla owners reportedly only lose 5% of their value.

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, asserted that a Tesla battery can travel between 300,000 and 500,000 miles in a Tweet. Your battery life should last between 21 and 35 years if you drive the 273 miles per week national average.

The point is a Tesla battery replacement will rarely (if ever) happen. It’s more likely that you’ll need to replace your electric car before your battery.

Tesla Battery’s Expected Life Vs. Warranty Coverage

Elon Musk explained on Twitter that the batteries in Tesla cars should last for 1,500 recharge cycles or 300,000 to 500,000 miles. That’s between 22 and 37 years for the average car driver, who, according to the Department of Transportation (DOT), drives 13,476 miles per year.

According to CleanTechnica, one Tesla owner has driven his Model S over a million miles. Although the Tesla battery has held up, the owner claims to have replaced his Tesla motor numerous times.

How Long Does a Tesla Battery Warranty Last?

It’s one thing to know how long a Tesla vehicle’s battery could last, but it’s another to know how long it should last with reasonable performance. Elon Musk made reference to 300,000 to 500,000 miles on Twitter, but this is not the same as Tesla’s battery warranty.

A new Tesla battery and drive unit warranty cover 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.

Here is a chart of Tesla car battery warranties by model:

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

The lowest mileage warranty available from Tesla currently is their Model 3 warranty at 100,000 miles for eight years. For context, that equates to 240 miles per week, or 24 miles per day, or 12,500 miles annually.

Tesla Battery Degradation

Tesla EVs use lithium-ion batteries, like other EV batteries. The rechargeable battery technology used by Tesla is comparable to other large and small rechargeable batteries in that it gradually loses some of its capacity over time.

Consider how much longer a brand-new smartphone’s battery lasts compared to one that is a few years old. By frequently charging and discharging your phone, you will cause it to lose some of its capacity to hold a charge.

Your Tesla battery will deteriorate similarly, which isn’t an indicator of any product flaw. Whether it’s an electric vehicle battery, a home energy battery, or a rechargeable AA battery, all batteries eventually lose some of their capacity to hold a charge after prolonged use. This is why Tesla provides a warranty that ensures a specific percentage of battery capacity for a specific amount of time.

Conclusion: Extend Tesla Battery Life

Most Tesla batteries have a range of between 300,000 miles to 500,000 miles. If you manage the battery well, it might even get better. Take into account your driving style, the distance you typically travel, and how well you take care of your Tesla batteries before relying too heavily on official statistics.

Your battery life will increase thanks to the advice in this article. Your vehicle will perform better. Also, you’ll save more on battery maintenance and repair costs.

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