Share What does long-term ownership of a Tesla Model 3 really look like? One driver, Lawrence, has put his electric sedan through the ultimate endurance test—250,000 kilometers (155,000 miles) in just five years. Now, he’s sharing an in-depth look at how his battery has held up, what repairs have been necessary, and whether his Tesla still feels as good as new. His insights are a goldmine for EV enthusiasts and those considering making the switch. Battery Health After 250,000 km When Lawrence purchased his Tesla Model 3in September 2018, he was excited to embrace cutting-edge EV technology. Fast forward five years, and he’s put the car through extensive real-world testing. According to the Tesla app, his battery has experienced an 8% to 10% capacity loss, though the app’s estimation leans slightly higher at around 11% degradation. This level of battery wear aligns with what many Tesla owners and industry experts have observed. A Tesla spokesperson noted, “Battery degradation is a natural process, and our newer models are designed to minimize this over time. Lawrence’s results fall well within expected performance metrics.” One key detail from his experience is his charging habits. He primarily relies on Superchargers, challenging the common belief that frequent fast charging accelerates battery degradation. Surprisingly, he found that the difference in battery health compared to slower home charging was just 1-2%. “I wanted to see if Supercharging would really wear out the battery faster, but in my case, it made almost no difference,” Lawrence shared. Five Years of Maintenance—What Needed Fixing? Despite racking up an impressive mileage, repair costs have remained relatively affordable. Over five years, Lawrence has spent around $1,000 on various fixes—a number that many gas-powered car owners would envy. See also