Tesla Model 3 clocks 150,000 miles on original battery and motors with only 10% range loss, easing EV reliability concerns
In the past few months, we have chronicled several high-mileage electric vehicles (EVs) that have disproven the widespread fears that have surrounded the potential longevity of EVs. While it is undeniably true that batteries degrade with time, the extent of the degradation even after clocking several hundred thousand miles is hardly a detriment to the overall usability of EVs, especially when considering that EVs nowadays boast impressive range figures right out of the factory.
For instance, we reported on a Tesla Model S with over 430,000 miles on its original battery and motors which still boasted a range of over 180 miles, that too in unfavorable driving conditions. More recently, we encountered a Model 3 with 200,000 miles that suffered only ~10% degradation to its batteries. Previous reports from Tesla have found that its vehicles on average suffer from a range degradation of around ~15% after 200,000 miles, making the scenario of the battery outlasting the car itself highly likely.
In a recent YouTube video, Tesla Model 3 (Long Range, RWD) owner Andy Slye expressed his experience of having owned the 2018 Tesla Model 3 for over 6 years with 150,000 miles on the clock, especially regarding its reliability and durability. In terms of services and maintenance, Andy's experience has been largely positive. The batteries and motors have not required any replacements so far, and a bunch of minor issues were addressed under warranty including a slow-retracting driver door handle, odd noises from windshield wipers, and a dead LTE board. Out-of-pocket expenses have also been rather minimal, with a $400 optional checkup and a $30 cabin air filter being the only expenses.
Post the warranty period, Andy has spent somewhere in the range of $1,600 on repairs - the most significant of which was on the replacement of the front control arms and lateral links at 130,000 miles - an issue that is common for many vehicles with similar high mileages, so nothing unforeseen. Another noteworthy repair was required by the charging port door, which stopped opening and closing on its own and cost $300 to fix. Other minor repairs include the driver seat occupancy sensor, the 12 V auxiliary battery, and the driver-side window buttons, each costing around $100. Apart from these repairs, both the interior and exterior of the Model 3 have held up impressively well, sans the expected wear and tear that can be expected after clocking 150,000 miles.
Now let's address the juiciest bit - range loss. Those of our esteemed readers who have been keeping up with our previous long-term EV ownership reports will have probably gotten accustomed to high-mileage EVs boasting impressive range even after clocking well over 150,000 miles. Andy Slye's Model 3 with 150,000 miles on the clock is no stranger to that trend, reporting a range loss of only around 30 miles or 10%, as per the car's range estimates. According to Tesla's battery health checkup, the battery suffers from a degradation of 17%, which is a bit on the higher side, although the 296-mile range predicted by the Recurrent app hints at a sub-10% range loss. Either way, the battery has held up commendably well.
Compared to ICE vehicles, EVs are undoubtedly significantly cheaper to run and maintain. An ICE vehicle with 150,000 miles on the clock would have required several potentially expensive services, while the Tesla Model 3 has barely required any. Even when the time comes for a necessary battery replacement, which is probably still well into the distant future, options are plenty, with a new pack from Tesla costing approximately $13,000.
Keeping Andy's experience in mind, and also that of Rory and Lawrence, modern-day Teslas and most other EVs are clearly built to last. While range anxiety might still be a massive factor that adversely affects EV adoption, we do expect such fears to subside considering the steady improvements to EV range. Apart from that, it is hard to argue that EVs are impressively durable and affordable to maintain - all while being comparatively easier on the environment.
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