How Many Miles Does a Tesla Last
How Many Miles Does a Tesla Last?
Driving through highways, forests, and deserts is an incomparable experience. Discovering new places and traveling to faraway destinations is part of the American way of life. To achieve all that, you need a reliable vehicle that'll go the distance.
Teslas are incredible cars. They are elegant, luxurious, and safe. They're also great for the environment. One big question remains: how many miles does a Tesla last?
We'll answer that question and more in the coming sections. So, keep reading!
How Many Miles Can a Tesla Go?
Tesla's advantage over other EVs is mainly the technology it puts into the battery packs. They go further per charge and have an overall longer lifespan.
Each Tesla model comes with a range that caters to people's varied lifestyles.
Tesla S
The Tesla S has a battery pack with the highest capacity among all the Tesla models. According to Tesla's data sheets , It can take you far!
On a single charge, these beauties can travel a whole 405 miles. That's approximately the distance from Washington, DC, to Cape Cod, Detroit, Cincinnati, South Carolina, or Myrtle Beach.
Tesla X
If you're a regular commuter, you're probably considering a Tesla X . It promises the best inner-city experience, value for money, and efficiency. The range for the X-series is 351 miles on the higher end. The lower-end Tesla X EVs run for 330 miles.
For a quick demonstration of how far that'll take you, it's the distance from Boston, Ma, to Quebec City, Baltimore, Maryland, Ottawa, Gettysburg, and Lake Placid.
Tesla 3
The Tesla Model 3 is a compact EV with a compact battery pack and wise energy usage. The aerodynamics, drivetrain, and overall lightweight maintain its status as a city car. Tesla 3 wouldn't do too well in long travels, but it can still take you to lands as far as 270 miles.
Let's see how far this is. Covering 270 miles is a fun drive from Tampa, Fl, to Georgia, Miami Lakes, Port Everglades, and Brunswick.
Tesla Y
Finally, the Tesla Model Y is a spacious car with high maneuverability and an exquisite appearance. Its range lies between that of the Tesla X and the Tesla 3. The series offers a range selection of either 269 or 279 miles.
One exception in this series is the Tesla Y Long Range, which comes with a range of 318 miles.
The Cost of Extra Milage In Tesla EVs
It's not too surprising that long ranges come at a higher price, but other factors come into the mix. For example, the finishes, the wheel types, and the interiors are all significant considerations.
Tesla gives every person a custom-made car that caters to individual needs.
Here are the 2023 prices and corresponding mileages for the most popular Tesla models. ( All the values are extracted from Tesla's website )
Tesla Model Range (miles) Price ($) Model 3, Rear wheel drive, 18" Aero wheels. 272 44,490 Model 3, Rear wheel drive, 19" Sport wheels, premium interior. 267 45,990 Model X Plaid 22" Turbine Wheels Cream Interior, Carbon Fiber Decor, Six Seat Interior 311 126,090 Model X Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive 22" Turbine Wheels Cream Premium Interior, Seven Seat Interior 329 122,490 Model X Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive 20" Cyberstream Wheels Black and White Premium Interior, Seven Seat Interior 347 115, 490 Model X Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive 20" Cyberstream Wheels Black and White Premium Interior with, Five Seat Interior 351 114,490 Model Y All-Wheel Drive 20' Induction Wheels All Black Premium Interior, Five Seat Interior 269 52,990 Model Y All-Wheel Drive 19' Gemini Wheels All Black Premium Interior Five Seat Interior 279 52,990 Model Y Long Range Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive 20' Induction Wheels Black and White Premium Interior, Five Seat Interior 318 59,490 Model S Plaid 21" Arachnid Wheels Black and White Premium Interior with Carbon Fiber Decor 348 119,340 Model S Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive 21" Arachnid Wheels Cream Premium Interior 375 102,990 Model S Plaid 19" Tempest Wheels Black and White Premium Interior with Carbon Fiber Decor 396 113,040 Model S Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive 19" Tempest Wheels Black and White Premium Interior 405 98,490
How Long Does a Tesla Battery Last?
The official Tesla warranty assumes that the car battery would retain 70% of its capacity for 8 years or 100,000 - 50,000 miles. The exact figures differ for each model.
The above-mentioned figures are an extremely conservative estimate of these batteries' capabilities. According to Elon Musk, Tesla batteries can easily last about 25 years or more. That is assuming the car would travel 300,000 to 500,000 miles.
An average car owner would charge the batteries 1500 times throughout that time. To come up with these figures, car experts assume that typically, an American person covers 13,476 miles per year.
Additionally, these said experts base their estimates on general driving conditions. No extreme temperatures, rough roads, or mishandling of the car.
How Long Can a Tesla Go on One Charge?
A single charge of 20-40 minutes equips the Tesla to run its full range. Depending on the model you have, you can travel 267 to 405 miles on one charge of the 2023 Tesla EVs.
If you have an older Tesla model, then you can get around 250 miles on a single charge. The Roadster, which was the first generation Tesla EV, had a range of 244 miles.
How Long Should a Car Battery Last Without Driving?
Batteries lose around 5% of their charges while idling, and less than that when they're powered down. They wouldn't retain their full powers forever though.
In theory, if you don't drive your EV at all, A proper Tesla car battery would still be charged after 4-5 months. Other factors affect the retention period, like the initial state of the battery, the ambient temperature, and various other environmental factors.
It's advisable to avoid leaving the battery to deplete completely. This is known to shorten the lifespan of the battery.
Factors Affecting the Range of Your Tesla
The range of any Tesla, or how many miles does an EV last, depends on various factors. The most important are as follows.
Vehicle and Cargo Weight
Driving solo with minimum baggage keeps your Tesla light and Happy.
On the other hand, higher loading conditions are more demanding. The car needs to supply more power to accommodate the added weight.
Repeating this manner of loading, with the added passengers and cargo would affect the range of the car significantly. Eventually, it could also degrade the battery pack.
Type and Size of the Battery Pack
Tesla models come with varying types of battery packs. The smaller ones provide a range of approximately 270 miles, while the larger ones give you more than 405 miles per charge.
Environmental Factors
Extreme heat, cold, or humidity degrade all kinds of batteries , not just EV batteries. It's unavoidable sometimes to drive in harsh weather, but in that case, expect the range to be lower per charge.
Cold weather in particular brings down the range significantly.
The Efficiency of the Drivetrain
Efficient transmission of power is an integral part of a well-maintained car. You can only reach the nominal range with a proper drivetrain .
Compromised systems drain the vehicle power. In some cases, you'd get half the range or even less. Don't let your car reach that sad situation.
Driving Style
Abrupt movements are just as annoying to cars as they are to humans. Contrary to that, smooth driving allows the whole car system to transmit power as needed.
Conserve the power of your vehicle by following proper driving decorum. Mainly, by accelerating and decelerating in good time.
Nature of the Terrain
Rough roads, steep slopes, and slippery curves are all considered harsh terrain. Teslas can brave these roads, but that would be at the expense of allowable mileage.
The range would be much less than expected if you constantly travel through challenging terrain.
Condition of the Tires
Tesla tires are among the best in class. One of the reasons is keeping you safe. Another good reason is conserving power.
Friction and improper inflation affect the drag of the vehicle, which in turn detracts from the available power.
Keeping the tires in proper condition minimizes the power losses due to drag, and extends the range of miles you can travel per charge.
How to Extend the Lifespan of Your Tesla's Battery Pack
Tesla cars can last for decades. And still, perform as magnificently as the first day you bought them.
You'd need to give them some care and attention to achieve that. Here's how.
- Try to charge the battery on a low-voltage outlet whenever possible. We highly recommend Tesla wall connectors for daily recharging.
- Supercharges solve many problems, but they aren't the best options. The generated heat and quick electricity gain affect the health of the battery components.
- Keep the battery charge between 20% and 70%. Fully charging and fully depleting the battery decrease its lifespan.
- As you drive your car, try to accelerate and decelerate gradually. Sudden stops and starts, abrupt movements, and reckless driving can degrade the car batteries.
- Driving in the rain, mud, heat, and frost is also counterproductive. If possible, minimize car usage during such extreme conditions.
- Keep your car tires in good condition and inflated to a suitable pressure.
- Maintain your car mechanics regularly. A faulty drivetrain sucks the power out of any vehicle.
- Roof racks and bike racks interfere with the normal aerodynamics of the car. If you're not using them, remove these racks.
- If you notice any battery malfunction, take the car to an authorized service center right away. Battery packs are quite expensive!
- Use a suitable Tesla cover to protect your car from the elements. Extreme heat, cold, heavy rains, and frost are all factors that affect your vehicle, and not in a positive way.
How Expensive Is It to Change Tesla's Batteries?
Teslas car batteries are designed to last for a long time. The manufacturer knows that these components are dependable and trustworthy, which shows in the long warranty period.
You can replace your battery pack for free within the first eight years. But that takes some investigation in the Tesla factory. In the meantime, they'll give you a replacement pack.
After the warranty period, replacing the battery packs can be quite costly. The prices start from $5,000 and go all the way to $30,000. The overall costs depend on the type of your Tesla, plus the extent of damage in the battery pack.
This isn't a common occurrence though, as Teslas can run for 30 years or 300,000 miles without complaining at all!
Are Teslas Cost Effective?
The cost of a single charge for a Tesla is approximately $10-$20. This charge keeps the car going for 270-405 miles.
Gas cars cost on average $15 per 100 miles, which adds up to $40-$60 in comparative mileage. Clearly, much more expensive than a Tesla.
It's worth noting here that there's the initial investment in the car, plus yearly maintenance. Teslas are pricey vehicles, and their annual maintenance doesn't come cheap either. Still, if we consider all factors, Teslas are more economical than gas vehicles.
Conclusion
Now that we've answered the big question of how many miles a Tesla can last, you can pick the right model for your needs.
A city car like the Tesla 3 would get you around with elegance and high maneuverability. You'd have approximately 270 miles on a single charge. Assuming you'd commute five days a week, this gives you roughly ten days on a single charge.
Folks with eternal wanderlust need higher ranges. A Tesla S will go 405 miles per charge, which is a remarkable distance. Recharging stations are now available everywhere, and it takes around 20-40 minutes to get back to full.
The bottom line is that 2023 Teslas can last from 267 to 405 miles on a single charge. As for the future, a new Roadster is coming up with a range of 620 miles. This beautiful beast is now known as "the quickest car in the world"
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