On a charge

When the new era of electric vehicles was first being promoted, battery life was a big concern.

As with range anxiety, it was seen as a huge negative, putting off potential buyers and slowing the electric take-off.

It seems those worries were completely ungrounded.

All around the world

The first Tesla in the UK to reach 700,000 miles on the clock, has just achieved this milestone a decade after the Model S debuted on UK roads.

According to data analysed by the car leasing comparison website LeaseLoco, the six-figure mileage will only increase.

To put this into perspective, the equatorial circumference of Earth is 24,901 miles, which means this Tesla has driven the equivalent of 28 times around the world.

Ten years after the Model S first went on sale in the UK in the summer of 2014, five Model Ss have each covered more than half a million miles.

It’s official

Odometer data is provided by the DVSA.

The driver of this Model S has covered over 130,000 miles more than the next Tesla owner (564,860 miles) and is the only Tesla driver to have exceeded 600,000 miles.

A Model S battery is claimed to be capable of covering 405 miles on a single charge, assuming no degradation.

Based on this mileage, this Tesla owner has charged the battery at least 1,723 times since they purchased the car.

In his efforts to undermine the opposing views on battery life at the time, Elon Musk tweeted in 2019 that a Tesla battery should last for 300,000 to 500,000 miles.

It seems that even the ever-confident Muck underestimated the quality of his products.

Continuing to set the pace

If his statement is largely true, 54 Teslas with between 300,000 and 500,000 miles on the clock are due a new battery.

Furthermore, five more have exceeded Elon’s prediction if they haven’t had a replacement battery already.

DVSA data also shows there are currently 309 Teslas on UK roads with more than 200,000 miles on the clock and 5,389 with over 100,000 miles.

The number of Teslas with more than 100,000 miles on the clock

These mileage figures are genuinely remarkable compared to the professional view of EV battery longevity cultivated just a few years ago.

It can only help all EV manufacturers extol the clean appeal of electric power, especially as the ban on petrol and diesel vehicles comes closer.

With the current levels of investment in charging infrastructure across the UK, this news may represent an important marker in the acceptance of new fuel technology on our roads.

John Wilmot, CEO of car leasing comparison website CarLeasing.com, says these mileage figures are “a testament to the durability and longevity of electric vehicles.”

“It’s incredible to think that, just a decade after the Model S first hit UK roads, several Teslas have surpassed half a million miles. This milestone shows that with proper care and maintenance, EVs can go the distance, making an electric car a smart choice for those considering a new car.

“For most electric car owners though, the lifespan of their cars, and specifically battery longevity, is a problem way into the future. The more immediate issue is charging their EVs while on the road.

“EV owners aren’t just dealing with range anxiety – the fear of running out of power without finding a charging point in time. They’re also experiencing charge anxiety – the uncertainty of whether a charging station will be available and functioning when they need it.

“If we want to see a mass transition to EVs within the next decade, these anxieties must be addressed. Electric car owners need confidence that there will be enough reliable charging points to ensure they never run out of battery, and that these stations will be operational and available when they need them.”

How to prolong the life of your EV battery

Drive slower

To minimise energy consumption that can drain the battery, avoid accelerating unnecessarily and abrupt deceleration. If possible, avoid motorways or other areas that require driving at high speeds.

Avoid rapid charging

Rapid charging could negatively affect the battery as high-voltage DC charging strains it and shortens its lifespan. Try using AC chargers when looking for public chargers.

Avoid extreme temperature

Extreme heat and cold can harm your EV because the battery’s thermal management will cause the battery to drain as the system tries to maintain temperature for optimum efficiency.

Don’t let your battery drain fully

Car batteries like to be kept charged. Letting your battery drain flat can damage its lifespan so try and avoid it falling below 20% power.

Don’t overcharge the battery

Avoid fully charging your car battery, as this can overwork it. Experts say it is best to maintain your car battery between 20% and 80%, which will prolong its condition. Don’t leave it charging all night every night, as this will overwork the battery.

Give your battery a break before charging

‍Let your car battery cool down for a minute if you’ve just stopped driving and want to start charging. Your battery won’t have to work so hard if you do this and it should help prolong its life.