Photo: @DriveTeslaca via X
Many believe electric vehicles will not last very long because the battery will degrade, despite countless examples of high-mileage EVs. The most recent is a 2016 Model S 90D used as a taxi in Canada for more than 500,000 km (310,000 miles) without needing a battery replacement.
The alleged low lifecycle of Li-ion batteries keeps many people from switching to an electric vehicle. Not only this, but many EV haters use this argument to spread FUD about electric cars, comparing their battery packs to the Li-ion batteries powering smartphones and other mobile devices. That's why some people expect an EV battery to last far less than a typical vehicle's lifetime, which sometimes can be longer than 15 years.
Sure, even the best Li-ion batteries have a limited lifecycle, and replacing them would not make much sense, considering that a new pack costs more than half of a new EV's price. Still, many battery-powered vehicles can travel hundreds of thousands of miles before the first signs of battery aging occur. One incredible example is a Tesla Model S with more than 1.2 million miles, still operating after nine years of service. It's in its third battery, but that's because Tesla considered it subpar and replaced it for free.
While not entirely on the same level, another Tesla Model S achieved a significant milestone while serving as a taxi in Canada. The 2016 Model S 90D owned by Current Taxi has hit 500,000 km (310,000 miles) without major repairs. Most notably, the battery and drive units are still original, an impressive feat considering age and mileage. Besides that, the rear control arms, wheel bearings, CV axles, and power steering were also untouched.
Current Taxi revealed that the veteran Model S needed new brakes, coil suspension, struts, and new AC condenser and fans. They were recently replaced, though, after more than 420,000 km (260,000 miles). The owner also had to replace some other components that are not normally expendable. These include the handles (an old problem with the Model S), the trunk latch with the soft-close mechanism, and several unspecified front and rear suspension components.
The most impressive performance is the battery degradation of only 12% after nine years and 310,000 miles. It looks even more impressive, considering that almost all charging sessions were at a Supercharger. Since the Model S benefitted from the free lifetime Supercharging, its owners took advantage of it. Despite the common belief that fast charging wears the battery much faster, this 2016 Model S begs to differ.
This is not even the highest-mileage Model S in Current Taxi's fleet. Last year, the first Model S they purchased surpassed 700,000 km (435,000 miles). Being an earlier model (sadly, we don't know the model year), it encountered more problems, including a faulty battery, similar to the one of the one-million-mile Tesla from Germany. It was replaced at 360,000 km (224,000 miles) and has been rocking ever since.
Sure, even the best Li-ion batteries have a limited lifecycle, and replacing them would not make much sense, considering that a new pack costs more than half of a new EV's price. Still, many battery-powered vehicles can travel hundreds of thousands of miles before the first signs of battery aging occur. One incredible example is a Tesla Model S with more than 1.2 million miles, still operating after nine years of service. It's in its third battery, but that's because Tesla considered it subpar and replaced it for free.
While not entirely on the same level, another Tesla Model S achieved a significant milestone while serving as a taxi in Canada. The 2016 Model S 90D owned by Current Taxi has hit 500,000 km (310,000 miles) without major repairs. Most notably, the battery and drive units are still original, an impressive feat considering age and mileage. Besides that, the rear control arms, wheel bearings, CV axles, and power steering were also untouched.
Current Taxi revealed that the veteran Model S needed new brakes, coil suspension, struts, and new AC condenser and fans. They were recently replaced, though, after more than 420,000 km (260,000 miles). The owner also had to replace some other components that are not normally expendable. These include the handles (an old problem with the Model S), the trunk latch with the soft-close mechanism, and several unspecified front and rear suspension components.
The most impressive performance is the battery degradation of only 12% after nine years and 310,000 miles. It looks even more impressive, considering that almost all charging sessions were at a Supercharger. Since the Model S benefitted from the free lifetime Supercharging, its owners took advantage of it. Despite the common belief that fast charging wears the battery much faster, this 2016 Model S begs to differ.
This is not even the highest-mileage Model S in Current Taxi's fleet. Last year, the first Model S they purchased surpassed 700,000 km (435,000 miles). Being an earlier model (sadly, we don't know the model year), it encountered more problems, including a faulty battery, similar to the one of the one-million-mile Tesla from Germany. It was replaced at 360,000 km (224,000 miles) and has been rocking ever since.
And now another @CurrentTaxi @Tesla Model S has hit 500,000km (310,685 miles).
— Drive Tesla ???????? (@DriveTeslaca) September 25, 2023
This 2016 Model S 90D still has the original:
-Battery (~12% degradation, full charge shows 412km compared to 455km new - mostly Supercharged - has free lifetime Supercharging)
-Motors
-AC System… https://t.co/JUy5zYx5ax pic.twitter.com/0cUOc95gqk
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