Key Takeaways
1. Tesla’s batteries typically maintain 80% capacity after 200,000 miles, demonstrating their longevity.
2. In Europe, batteries show a 20% capacity decline at around 150,000 miles, indicating regional differences in battery performance.
3. The potential for batteries to outlast the vehicle’s practical life may impact the second-hand market for Teslas.
4. The average age of vehicles in the US is rising, prompting Tesla to improve battery lifespan and warranty options.
5. Collaborations with battery manufacturers like CATL may lead to longer warranty periods for Tesla batteries in the future.
Tesla has shared some captivating new data regarding the lifespan of its car batteries, outlining the longevity of its vehicles irrespective of battery chemistry.
Battery Lifespan Insights
Over the past ten years, Tesla has sold a significant number of electric vehicles and found that 200,000 miles is the average distance driven before the battery capacity drops to 80% of its original state. This figure has been mentioned previously, and it now appears to be a reliable estimate for how long its electric cars can perform.
Regional Variations
In Europe, where driving habits differ from those in the US, Tesla’s battery experiences a 20% decline in capacity at an average of 150,000 miles. Although this is still a commendable number, it highlights that the age of the battery plays a crucial role in its deterioration, even more so than the mileage accumulated by electric vehicles. So, whether an American drives 20,000 miles annually and their Tesla lasts for ten years before reaching 80% battery capacity, or a European drives 15,000 miles in the same timeframe, the outcome is still a 20% reduction.
Market Challenges
Tesla emphasizes that the battery could potentially outlast the practical life of its cars since, after over a decade and 200,000 miles, many owners might consider upgrading. Nevertheless, the second-hand electric vehicle market might struggle to thrive if the benchmark is set at 200,000 miles for an 80% battery capacity. After the 8-year battery warranty expires, potential buyers might be wary of purchasing a pre-owned Tesla.
The average age of vehicles on the road in the US is nearing a record high of 13 years, which means Tesla must enhance battery lifespan and warranty options. This is an area where Chinese manufacturers are making significant progress.
Future Developments
CATL, the largest battery manufacturer globally, is collaborating with NIO, an electric vehicle maker, to establish a 15-year warranty on batteries with a maximum 15% capacity decline. Some of CATL’s latest battery technologies already come with warranties ranging from 12 to 20 years for energy storage products, so achieving a 15-year warranty for electric vehicles seems feasible.
It’s uncertain whether Tesla will adopt similar measures. The company is close to finishing its own LFP battery factory in the US, utilizing equipment from CATL. Alongside lower costs, Tesla could also extend the warranty on its future vehicles equipped with LFP cells for the US market.
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