Tesla not too long ago shared a chart presenting the typical battery capability retention per distance traveled of the Mannequin 3 and Mannequin Y vehicles with Lengthy Vary battery packs.
In keeping with Tesla‘s 2023 Impression Report, the typical battery capability lack of the Mannequin 3/Mannequin Y Lengthy Vary variations after 200,000 miles is 15%. This additionally means the typical capability retention after the space is 85%.
Battery capability degradation
All EV batteries lose capability over time and/or use (some chemistries quicker than others). A number of components, like temperatures or charging/discharging charge, would possibly moreover have an effect on the longevity. Normally, the aim is to design a battery that may final for the lifetime of the automobile, with out too excessive capability fade.
The Tesla Mannequin 3/Mannequin Y Lengthy Vary’s battery degradation outcomes are fairly spectacular, though not as excessive as the Mannequin S/Mannequin X vehicles, which averaged 12% capability loss after 200,000 miles or 88% capability retention.
Tesla wrote that its batteries are designed for over 200,000 miles of driving: “Even after 200,000 miles of utilization, our batteries in Mannequin 3 and Mannequin Y lose simply 15% of their capability on common, whereas batteries in Mannequin S and Mannequin X lose simply 12% of their capability on common.”
The corporate additionally famous that, based on its estimate, a automobile will get scrapped after roughly 200,000 miles of utilization within the U.S. and roughly 150,000 miles in Europe. Which means the batteries ought to final lengthy sufficient to not want changing: “…we frequently get requested: Will I would like to switch my battery sooner or later sooner or later? The reply is not any. Since we have been promoting EVs for over a decade, we’ve a dependable knowledge set that reveals us battery degradation over time.”
Importantly, the chart beneath issues solely the Tesla Mannequin 3/Mannequin Y with Lengthy-Vary batteries. These variations normally include 2170-type cylindrical battery cells (NCA or NCM chemistries) from numerous suppliers.
We imagine the information doesn’t embrace the Commonplace Vary batteries, the LFP sort or Tesla’s in-house developed and produced 4680-type cylindrical battery cells. The one Mannequin Y outfitted with these cells wasn’t marketed as “Lengthy Vary,” however merely AWD.
Tesla Mannequin 3/Mannequin Y Lengthy Vary variations:
- mileage: 200,000 miles (322,000 km)
- capability retention: 85%
- capability loss: 15%
1% per 13,333 miles (21,453 km)
1% per 53 theoretical full charging cycles (assuming 250 miles per charging)
The typical is only one measure. Tesla’s chart additionally reveals us different issues. The capability fade has the best charge initially, however then it slows down and stays fairly linear. Evidently the primary 10% is likely to be misplaced someplace between 60,000 and 80,000 miles.
One other factor is the usual deviation proven on the chart above. It is fairly near the typical. Assuming regular distribution (we do not know the distribution curve), some 68% of the automobile fleet or greater than two-thirds needs to be throughout the inexperienced space—battery capability of greater than 80%. Some are even near 90%). Nonetheless, it additionally signifies that the remaining third (32%) is likely to be exterior, probably underneath 80%.
In different phrases, the 85% common doesn’t imply your automobile will get such a end result. There is likely to be a excessive variety of automobiles underneath 80% capability.
Tesla Mannequin 3 and Mannequin Y
Tesla Mannequin X and Tesla Mannequin S
Now, let’s bear in mind the beforehand described Mannequin S/Mannequin X’s battery capability degradation, which was proven within the 2022 Tesla Impression Report.
The Mannequin S/Mannequin X duo is provided with 1865-type cylindrical battery cells (NCA chemistry) equipped by Panasonic (in all probability the only real provider).
Tesla Mannequin S/Mannequin X variations:
- mileage: 200,000 miles (322,000 km)
- capability retention: 88%
- capability loss: 12%
1% per 16,667 miles (26,817 km)
1% per 67 theoretical full charging cycles (assuming 250 miles per charging)
The distinction between the 2 mannequin households (15% and 12% capability fade) is tough to clarify. The vehicles are totally different, their use circumstances is likely to be totally different, their battery cells are totally different, their battery pack design (together with thermal administration system) is totally different, and the battery pack capability is considerably totally different. The design and capability have additionally modified over time.
Not less than theoretically, the smaller the battery pack capability, the upper the load on the battery to cowl the identical distance. Usually, the Mannequin S/Mannequin X duo has a battery capability of about 100 kilowatt-hours. The Mannequin 3/Mannequin Y Lengthy Vary has a considerably decrease worth—80 kWh. This distinction is likely to be partially offset by having a smaller, lighter, and extra environment friendly automotive.
Here’s a direct comparability between the 2 Tesla’s charts. We briefly positioned one on prime of the opposite (Mannequin 3/Y’s chart was re-sized to suit the Mannequin S/X scale):
