One of the biggest concerns about early electric cars was the overall longevity of the battery. Early batteries wouldn’t last for even 100,000 miles and would degrade severely over time meaning if drivers wanted to continue using these cars it would cost a significant amount of cash to replace. Replacement battery packs could cost thousands, as much as the cost of a new car. However, times have changed and electric cars are exponentially better than they were a decade ago.
Production techniques have improved as has battery technology and they are much more durable.
Tesla is perhaps the most significant carmaker in the electric car movement which has popularised EVs and showed people they can be cool, fun and replace petrol and diesels.
Arguably the Model 3 is the carmakers most significant and important car to date and has proven to be immensely popular since it launched.
The car could also be one you can rely on for years to come if comments by CEO Elon Musk are to be believed.
Musk stated that the battery models of the cars should last between 300,000 and 500,000 km – 186,000 – 310,000 miles – a substantial increase compared to older vehicles.
He tweeted: “Model 3 drive unit & body is designed like a commercial truck for a million-mile life.
“Current battery modules should last 300k to 500k miles (1500 cycles).
“Replacing modules (not pack) will only cost $5k to $7k.”
The batteries will be good for around 1,500 cycles in its lifetime and between $5,000 and $7,000 to replace the modules.
This strategy of replacing the modules is smart as it won’t require a completely new battery pack if some modules fail.
Tesla claims that the Model 3 will retain 70 per cent of its capacity for 100,000 miles.
Musk also stated earlier this week that the carmaker is aiming to build an electric car battery which will last for up to one million miles for its robotaxi fleet.
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