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How Long Do Tesla Batteries Last?

Tesla Battery Level

The battery life of Tesla models improves with each release, but are they cost-effective long term?

By Gary Smith (Contributing Writer) | Published on January 25th, 2021 | Last Updated on
By Gary Smith (Contributing Writer)
Published on January 25th, 2021. Last Updated on .

Tesla has transformed the electric car market with its stylish and high-performance EV-vehicle lineup. With various electric vehicles to choose from in their fleet, you can find a Tesla that fits just about every need. The biggest question revolving around Tesla vehicles is “how long do Tesla batteries last?”. After all, you will want to make sure the cost of your battery and charger outweighs the cost of gas you would normally use. Today, we will look at how long Tesla batteries last and everything else you need to know about these batteries.

How Far Can A Tesla Drive On One Charge?

With a full charge, you can expect a great range from any of Tesla’s vehicles. The most basic, run of the mill Tesla, the Model 3 w/ Standard Range Plus will average about 250 miles per charge. The Model Y Long Range Plus, the longest range Tesla vehicle, will average about 316 miles on a single charge. To give you a better idea of what you can expect from each model, check out the chart below:

Model Range

Model 3 Standard Range Plus

250 Miles

Model 3 Long Range

322 Miles

Model 3 Performance

299 Miles

Model S Long Range Plus

402 Miles

Model S Performance

348 Miles

Model X Long Range Plus

351 Miles

Model X Performance

305 Miles

Model Y Long Range Plus

316 Miles

Model Y Performance

315 Miles

How Long Does A Tesla Battery Last?

A Tesla battery is designed to last for 300,000-500,000 miles. This is based on current Tesla data at the time of this article. Elon Musk, the owner of Tesla, has hinted at creating a Tesla car battery with a lifetime of one million miles. Depending on how much you drive, you may or may not ever have to change the battery in your Tesla. According to CarandDriver.com, people drive around 13,500 miles a year on average. Based on this data, you can expect around 22-37 years of battery use on your Tesla. Of course, this is based on a well maintained, average use Tesla. Those who drive more or less a year or who own a higher performance Tesla may see different results.

Tesla Supercharger

What Factors Affect How Long A Tesla Battery Lasts?

While Tesla batteries have a long lifetime, there are certain factors that can affect how long they last. Let’s take a closer look at a few factors to consider for keeping your Tesla battery lasting longer.

  1. Driving Habits - Driving style plays a huge role in how gasoline vehicles use gas, and the same goes with batteries in EVs. Harsh driving such as speeding or excessive acceleration and braking can cause a Tesla battery to wear out prematurely. This is due to the strain that the battery is put under to accommodate the extra demand. Driving in extreme temperatures such as frequently snow driving or driving where it is over 100 degrees for months at a time can slowly kill a battery as well. To ensure you get the most from your Tesla battery, maintain good driving habits, and ensure your tires are properly inflated to reduce unnecessary strain on your battery.

  2. Car Maintenance - Keeping your car well maintained will ensure that your Tesla is running as smoothly as possible. If your car is having to work harder to make up for poorly maintained parts, you can expect your battery to work harder to compensate. Be sure to follow the maintenance schedule provided by Tesla to keep your vehicle running at it’s absolute best throughout the lifetime of ownership.

  3. Proper Charging Habits - Last but not least, make sure that you are properly charging your Tesla. Tesla suggests a regular, every-day charging routine using a low-voltage charger for proper maintenance. While many charging stations offer high-voltage (supercharging) chargers, these are only meant to be used in emergency situations. These are not meant to be used every day. Tesla recommends that you do not let your batter go above 90% or below 20% if possible. This will ensure that your battery is keeping a steady, proper charge to keep it running smoothly for years to come.

Tesla’s Battery Warranty

Tesla offers a very good warranty to cover the batteries in their vehicles. The warranty that you get with your battery will depend on the vehicle that you choose. All models will carry an 8 year warranty, but the mileage is going to differ depending on the vehicle. The warranty will favor whichever occurs first. We have put together a quick list to show you what you can expect from your Tesla.

Model Battery Warranty

Model 3

8 years or 120k miles

Model S

8 years or 150k miles

Model X

8 years or 150k miles

Model Y

8 years or 120k miles

Tesla Battery Options

If you are needing to have your Tesla battery replaced, chances are, it is still under warranty. Taking it to a Tesla dealership to have it looked at will allow the technician to determine whether or not it will be covered under warranty. If it is not covered under warranty, a replacement Tesla battery costs about $3,000-$7,000. However, Elon Musk has designed the Tesla Battery to only need the battery modules to be replaced, not the entire battery pack. This helps on lowering the cost of replacement and shortens the amount of time it takes to replace it.

Here's a video that explains the inner workings of a Tesla battery and what can impact its range over time:

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