While there is little doubt that Tesla cars are well made, one component many don't expect to last very long is the battery. However, a Tesla Model 3 is proving doubters wrong as it clocks 150,000 miles while retaining a mind-blowing battery health.
EV batteries degrade over time, as is expected of batteries. However, folks holding back on switching to EVs because they fear the battery capacity depleting quickly or deteriorating need to see Andy Slye's Tesla Model 3. The YouTuber has a 2018 Model 3 with 150,000 miles under the belt. The proud owner showed off his Long Range RWD model and discussed his ownership experience in a video.
It has not been all roses for Slye, though. He has had to replace some parts or repair them, including the front suspension control arms, which he fully paid for. However, some of the fixes were done for free under warranty.
What many commenters have noticed is the physical appearance of the Model 3, which looks surprisingly well. The minor signs of use on the car include wear and tear on one of the headrests and pillars.
While the $50,000 purchase price might sound steep, Slye is elated to have saved more than $20,000 by charging with electricity and not paying for gas. The YouTuber says he has done most of his charging in his six years of ownership at home, another perk of EV ownership.
According to his charging data, Slye has spent only $40 per month, even as a heavy user. He said that all things considered, including the repairs he made from his pocket, he has saved more than $10,000 in maintenance using his Tesla Model 3.
So, how is the battery holding out after 150,000 miles?
When new, the EPA estimated the battery would offer 310 miles on a single charge. However, these days, the Tesla Model 3 estimates 280 miles when the battery is full, meaning the driving range has been reduced by 30 miles, which is about 10 percent.
However, Slye's battery health test with the Recurrent app shows even less driving range loss and battery degradation. The app reports a range score of 98 percent and an estimated driving range of 296 miles on a full charge.
These readings give Slye confidence that his Tesla Model 3 will still serve him for some time despite the battery degradation.
However, what if the battery pack fails? While it remains a possibility, Slye is not fazed. He expects to find offers to replace the battery for a fee between $7,000 and $8,000, significantly less than the $13,000 Tesla will charge.
While it makes sense financially for cars to last long, like Slye's Tesla Model 3, the danger is that some drivers will soon find driving the same vehicle boring after a few years. However, this is nothing that the right Tesla Model 3 accessories cannot fix, like the Karat Steering Wheel offered by Fusion Motorsport. The replacement steering wheel is made from carbon fiber with gold fibres, making it strong and very eye-catching. The Alcantara finishing ensures maximum grip while still feeling premium. Hurry to place your order while Fusion Motorsports runs up to 55 percent discount on this Tesla Model 3 accessory.
Header image courtesy of Andy Slyle on YouTube
