All sorts of myths exist in public discourse. Regarding the long-term reliability of electric cars in general and Teslas in particular: “The battery weakens significantly,” “The materials and workmanship are not durable,” “All this technology will surely break down quickly.” – Everyone has heard many of these statements before. But what is the reality? How does a Tesla feel after more than 100,000 kilometers?
The YouTuber Andy Slye He answered these very questions in a video. He drove his Tesla Model 3 over 100,000 miles (almost 160,000 kilometers) in four years. We've summarized the most important findings for you here.
Tesla condition after 100,000 kilometers
Myth 1: Battery and tires
The fact is: batteries do indeed lose capacity over time. This is due to chemical processes and, as of today, unavoidable. In the case of the tested Model 3, however, the loss over four years, at just 2.2%, was quite acceptable.
The tires also lasted surprisingly long for an electric car; new ones weren't needed until almost 60,000 kilometers – a good figure even for a combustion engine vehicle. However, those who buy a more powerful Tesla with all-wheel drive will likely need to change their tires much sooner.
Myth 2: Processing
As Andy Slye noted in the video, the materials and workmanship are okay, but not exactly luxurious. After 100,000 miles, some trim pieces, for example on the B-pillar, had indeed come loose, which definitely detracted from the interior's appearance.
Especially if you're used to German premium brands, you might be somewhat disappointed. It's worth mentioning, however, that the test car was one of the first Model 3s produced. Since then, Tesla's quality has famously improved significantly.
Myth 3: Technology
Similar to smartphones and tablets, it wouldn't be surprising if the performance of the central computer or display were to decline over the years. According to Slye, however, this isn't the case; the user experience feels just as good as it did on day one. Furthermore, the possibilities have constantly expanded thanks to continuous over-the-air updates, making the Model 3 even more appealing over time.
The performance of the autopilot had not decreased in any way and had made life with the Tesla very pleasant.
