No one would argue that Tesla’s Model S and Model X are short on innovative and forward-thinking features. From gargantuan 17-inch displays on the dash to futuristic Autopilot software, Tesla has firmly established itself as a company willing to push the technological envelope and completely re-imagine the way we interact with cars.
But at the core, Tesla is and remains a battery company. Indeed, it’s hardly an exaggeration to state that the company’s advanced battery technology is what truly separates them from a growing field of competitors.
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Today, a Tesla Model S 90D can travel up to 294 miles on a single charge. That’s undoubtedly impressive, but because Tesla’s run on lithium-ion batteries, it’s only natural for some skeptics to raise concerns about battery degradation and how prolonged vehicle use over time can ultimately affect range and performance.
With the Model S now in its fourth year, it’s finally possible to take a close look at how vehicle performance varies over time. To this point, Electrek points us to an interesting survey put together by Plug-in America, a non-profit organization that promotes the widespread adoption of EVs.
“Data shows that the Model S’ battery pack generally only loses about 5% of its capacity within the first 50,000 miles and then the degradation significantly slows down with higher mileage,” Electrek notes. “Plug-in America’s data shows several vehicles with over 100,000 miles driven and less than 8% degradation.”
All in all, that’s rather impressive. As evidenced by the chart below, you can tell that battery capacity does go down with increased mileage, but only slightly.
