How Long Will a Tesla Last | Are they really eco-friendly?
Contrary to popular belief, Tesla has actually been operational since the early 2000’s and actually released its first car in 2009! So it hasn’t become an overnight sensation the way most think, however it’s popularity has definitely skyrocketed in the past few years, with Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, playing a small hand in that.
Thanks to his fame as a businessman and revolutionary, Tesla’s have become very popular, especially amongst the corporate professionals and environmentally conscious individuals.
The real question is though, how do their cars perform? Are they worth the hype? Do they help us to reduce our carbon footprint?
We know about fuel based cars, they’ve been around for decades and are reliable, electric cars are still a relatively untested concept in comparison. So if you were to fork out for a Tesla, you want to make sure you get your money’s worth, so how long will a Tesla last?
How Good is the Tesla Battery?
The battery’s life is the biggest concern of whoever is considering buying a Tesla.
Hybrid vehicles use a combination of electricity and fuel so they afford you some protection. Tesla’s, though, are fully electric, so you’re fully dependent on your battery.
Tesla has gone a long way in easing their customers’ concerns by giving a warranty which can last between 4 and 8 years! However, this all depends on mileage as the warranty either lasts length of time or miles traveled, with the warranty distance covered ranging between 50,000 and 150,000 miles!
The general consensus is that a Tesla’s battery will last you between 300,000 and 500,000 miles before it needs replacing, though it’s quite possible that your battery can last beyond that 500,000 mile mark as well. Good news for Tesla users is that there are rumors swirling that Tesla is working on a million mile battery! So let’s wait and see what happens with that.
The Tesla batteries are said to lose just 5% of their capacity over their first 50,000 mile. Even more impressively, they can cover 150,000 miles before losing 10%.
The model of your Tesla will determine how long your battery lasts, however another very important factor is how you drive and treat your car. The same rules which apply to a fuel based car apply to an electric car. If you drive recklessly, accelerate and brake suddenly, and generally treat your Tesla as a rally car, over a sustained period of time your battery will permanently deplete quicker.
What range does your Tesla have?
Each Tesla has a different range, with the model and edition all contributing to the range. How long the car battery lasts also depends on how you drive the car, with a smoother more careful drive, meaning you can get more range, as well as the terrain making a difference. If you are driving on rougher surfaces, like in the desert, woodland or on icy surfaces, your car is forced to work harder meaning it uses more energy and reduces the range.
If range is your main concern you don’t need to worry too much as the average range on a Tesla car is an impressive 336 miles off of a full, single charge. Telsa’s lowest performing car in this category is their Model 3, which has a top speed of 140 MPH and a range of 267 miles. Tela’s best performing car is their Model S. Hitting top speeds of 155 MPH, this car can cover an incredible 405 miles before running out of power!
The rest of the models all fall comfortably over the 300 mile mark, with the Model S Plaid going all the way up 396 miles whilst hitting a dizzying 200 MPH! Though you will have to dig deep in your pocket to pay the sum of $130,000!
With hundreds of miles of range from a single charge, you don’t need to worry too much about running out of charge, it just requires a little bit of mindfulness and a hint of pre planning. Good news though, is that Tesla are working on an emergency battery pack for those miscalculated or unexpected trips.
How Do I Charge My Tesla?
Currently there are three fundamental ways you can charge your Tesla. The way you charge it will determine how long it will take for it to fully charge and how many miles you’ll get per hour.
Your first option is using a standard two or three pin plug which you find in all households. This isn’t a bad option if you can leave your car charging overnight. This type of plug will typically charge at 3 kiloWatts (kW) and have a charge time of 8 to 10 hours.
The second option is a fast charge. This option is anywhere between 7 and 22 kW meaning your car can fully recharge in just 3 to 4 hours. Most Tesla Superchargers, which you find dotted around in petrol stations and shopping mall car parks, fall under this category.
Finally you have the rapid charger. This is still a developing concept as your electric car must be rapid charge compatible which not all of them are. However this is the way forward with the rapid charger releasing a massive 43 kW meaning your Tesla can charge from zero to full in just one hour!
FAQs
How much does it cost to charge?
Though Tesla’s themselves are not cheap, re charging them is much cheaper than refueling. Aside from the occasional new battery, your only regular expense is electricity.
Fully charging a Model 3 Tesla will cost you a measly $8.71. The next most expensive is the Model Y which costs $12.29 and then the most expensive are almost identical with Model S and Model X setting you back $16.56 and $16.57, which is considerably cheaper than any petrol or diesel consuming car.
Don’t forget that you can even offset this cost by installing solar panels, meaning your electricity will be free!
Do other electric cars last this long too?
There is no one set rule; however , when it comes to range, battery life span and even warranties, Tesla’s aren’t the only ones to put up the figures they do. In fact, this appears to be the industry standard when making comparisons with its direct competitors like Audi, BMW and even Ford.