Many EV enthusiasts are drawn to Tesla vehicles thanks to their impressive range and battery longevity. However, the high-tech power storage that they house represents a significant investment for drivers. Roughly half of each Tesla model’s price tag is accounted for by the cost of manufacturing the battery itself.
Both in terms of getting optimal performance from your car and avoiding costly battery replacements down the road, it’s a great idea to learn how to check your Tesla battery health.
How Long do Tesla Batteries Last?
The substantial investment of a Tesla battery is offset by its outstanding expected lifespan. According to Elon Musk, the brand’s battery modules are designed to last somewhere in the region of 300,000 to 500,000 miles. This represents between 22 and 37 years of driving for the average American EV owner, so a pretty solid return on investment.
All of that said, every electric vehicle battery will gradually degrade over time, and Tesla batteries are no exception. It’s handy to know what normal degradation looks like when monitoring the health of your Tesla battery, as well as understanding that certain driver behaviors can extend or shorten battery lifespan.
Helpfully, a recent UK study analyzed data on Tesla battery degradation and provides us with some insight into what normal battery performance might look like over time:
Estimated Tesla Battery Degradation by Age
| Age of Tesla Vehicle | Estimated Full Charge Range/EPA Range |
| New | 100% |
| 1 Year | 99% |
| 2 Years | 98% |
| 3 Years | 96% |
| 4 Years | 94% |
| 5 Years | 93% |
| 6 Years | 92% |
| 7 Years | 90% |
| 8 Years | 88% |
| 9 Years | 87% |
| 10 Years | 85% |
Estimated Tesla Battery Degradation By Mileage
| Odometer Reading | Estimated Full Charge Range/EPA Range |
| 0k-25k | 99% |
| 25k-50k | 97% |
| 50k-75k | 95% |
| 75k-100k | 93% |
| 100k-125k | 92% |
| 125k-150k | 89% |
| 150-200k | 87% |
| 200k+ | 85% |
How to Check Your Tesla Battery Health at Home
There are two ways to monitor the health of your Tesla battery at home.
- You can check your Tesla’s maximum range when fully charged, then compare this range to the car’s specifications (or the range when you first bought the vehicle).
- Use a mobile app to run a battery diagnosis.
We explain both options below.
If you are concerned about the condition of your Tesla battery, scheduling a service is a good call. Your battery may still be under warranty, and certain issues may be resolvable without a full battery pack replacement—so better to act quickly than to let a problem fester.
Check the Full Charge Range of Your Tesla’s Battery
The full charge range of your Tesla’s battery tells you how many miles or kilometers the car can cover from being 100% charged. You can view this number on your Tesla’s touchscreen and perform a simple calculation to see its current degradation percentage.
After charging your car to 100%, turn on the vehicle and view the current estimated range in the Energy tab on your dashboard touchscreen.
To check degradation, divide the current estimated range by the range outlined in the car’s original specifications.
Multiply the resulting number by 100 to determine its current performance percentage—a figure that you can compare to the tables above.
Use a Mobile App to Run a Battery Self-Diagnosis
You can use your Tesla Mobile App to trigger a self-diagnosis battery health check. To do so, tap on ‘Battery’ and then on ‘Range.’
A text box will appear, into which you can type ‘loss of range.’ While this function doesn’t reveal a great deal of information, the app will either report ‘No issue detected’ or advise scheduling a car service.
If you would prefer a more detailed report, you can also consider using a third-party battery monitoring app like TeslaFi. This will provide a diagnostic overview, taking into account things like charging capacity, battery temperature, and average range.
Tips For Monitoring and Extending Battery Lifespan
Alongside a gradual reduction in range, Tesla drivers can also keep an eye out for a loss in their EV battery’s capacity to hold a charge over time.
Consider incorporating the following tips into your Tesla driving routine to minimize the risk of excessive battery degradation:
- Avoid allowing your Tesla battery’s charge status to fall below 20%
- Regularly charge the battery to at least 90%
- Avoid overcharging the battery by continuing to charge when the current status is 100%
- Use only Tesla-brand chargers and avoid third-party charging accessories
- Pay close attention to battery warning messages appearing on your Tesla dashboard touchscreen
- Avoid excessive speed and frequent acceleration/deceleration
- If your Tesla battery overheats, allow it to fully cool before driving again
- Use the preconditioning function of your Tesla for around an hour before driving in cold temperatures
- Use public Supercharging stations only when necessary
- Maintain adequate tire pressure and replace damaged tires promptly
- Avoid allowing the battery to sit at a low charge for extended periods
- Schedule regular services at a trusted Tesla service center