Tesla Model S that clocked 430,000 miles undergoes battery inspection, reveals 28% battery degradation after 8 years of heavy use

When it comes to electric vehicles (EVs), potential range degradation over time and use has haunted owners for what seems like an eternity. However, as battery technology improves, and so does EV longevity, these fears can slowly be phased out. For instance, the YouTube channel AutoTrader has been documenting a Tesla Model S from 2016 with over 430,000 miles on the clock from to its eight years of service as an airport taxi. Surprisingly, the car has been able to pull this off without requiring a battery or motor replacement of any kind.

In previous videos, AutoTrader's Rory tested the Model S's range on the motorway. It performed admirably and covered 190 miles before coming to a halt, exhibiting a range loss of around 40 miles. The Model S did portray a slump in performance, with acceleration taking a hit, but it is still more than sufficiently performant for daily use. 

In the latest video concerning the ultra-high mileage Tesla Model S, the car was taken to vehicle repair company Cleveley EV's garage, where the company's founder, Matt Clevely, did a brief inspection of the 8-year-old EV. As can be expected from a vehicle with almost half a million miles on the clock, the Model S suffers from noticeable wear and tear, including horn malfunction, some steering column play, failing daytime-running lights, wiper wear, and some suspension concerns.

It was then time to examine the battery health - perhaps the most essential part of the inspection. Using service mode and 3rd party apps like Tessie, a battery degradation of around 23.1% was indicated. A more detailed analysis was conducted by Cleveley EV, which indicated a degradation of 28%, putting the Model S's battery health at a respectable 72% even after 430,000 miles of use. This would indicate a range of over 250 miles easily in city driving and around 180 miles on motorways, which is perfectly sufficient for most if not all, use cases.

What's most astonishing is that this Tesla Model S has not required a single servicing in its eight years of use. This could never be said for an ICE vehicle, which requires expensive and frequent maintenance just to be road-worthy. In contrast, the Model S has not required a single battery or motor replacement even after covering nearly half a million miles. This is brilliant for those looking to purchase an EV but are concerned with longevity and range degradation, as those fears can clearly be put aside, as proven by these tests.