This is the email I sent to Tesla western Canada regional service manager . I am reaching out because I’m struggling to understand the performance of the remanufactured battery pack in my vehicle. Specifically, that it only charges to 340 km—and sometimes even less—despite the conditions being favorable. For reference, I’ve attached two photos one from December 3, 2024 at my home temperature around 4 to 6° C and December 19, 2024, taken at a supercharger in underground parking located in Vancouver, B.C., where the temperature ranged between 10°C and 13°C. After the most recent service, the battery pack charged to 344 km, but this was under optimal conditions inside your shop, where the temperature was likely between 20°C and 22°C. I’ve also included a photo of this for your reference. For comparison, the loaner Model 3 , I currently have—with the same battery pack—charges to 389 km at 100% capacity with 50,636 km even at temperatures ranging from +4° to -5 C at my home February 4, 2025 . This discrepancy raises significant concerns with my replacement battery and why it only charges to a maximum of 340km range given cold or optimal temperatures. Based on this data and our discussion yesterday, I am not confident that the battery pack will perform any better in the spring or summer. It appears the charging capability is capped at max to approximately 344 km, which doesn’t seem right since I bought a vehicle that would charge up to 393 km. I understand that that after 77,145 km there would be some battery degradation and still charged to 386km + or - like I discussed with you , however what it charges to now is not sufficient. Given these circumstances, I am requesting that a different battery pack be installed in my vehicle to determine whether this resolves the issue. 4-Year Basic, 8-Year Battery, But What’s Really Covered?? Tesla vehicles come with a standard 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and an 8-year battery and drive unit warranty (with mileage limits that vary by model). However, some owners report that certain coverage details remain ambiguous, leaving room for interpretation in claim disputes. Numerous Tesla owners have experienced inconsistent warranty service outcomes, including delays in repairs and challenges in getting specific issues—such as panel repairs, electronics glitches, or battery performance concerns—addressed in a timely manner. Despite comprehensive warranty promises on paper, rapid sales growth and an expanding but still limited service network in some regions have sometimes led to prolonged wait times for parts and appointments, prompting calls for clearer policies and enhanced after-sales support. Why Tesla Owners Can’t Fix Their Cars This isn’t just a one-off event. Tesla’s refurbished packs are a known quantity in the EV world, and not necessarily in a good way. Unlike traditional automakers, which typically replace defective powertrains with brand-new or fully remanufactured units built to factory spec, Tesla often reuses battery modules from previously failed packs. These “remanufactured” batteries meet Tesla’s internal standards, but those standards appear to be a moving target. And, crucially, Tesla doesn’t provide customers the option to pay the difference for a brand-new pack instead. You get what they give you, and you’re supposed to be grateful. This level of opacity in Tesla’s service model is nothing new, but it’s getting harder to ignore. With a traditional car, if your engine blows up, you can take it to any number of independent mechanics or shops to get it rebuilt or replaced. Why Competitors Guarantee New Batteries You have options. But with Tesla? The company controls every step of the process. You can’t buy a replacement battery off the shelf, and you can’t take your car to an independent shop to have it swapped for something better. You’re stuck playing Tesla’s game, and they hold all the cards. This raises a bigger question: What happens as more Teslas age out of their original battery packs? Right now, Tesla’s competitors—GM, Ford, Hyundai—are all rolling out EVs with long-term battery warranties that **guarantee** performance. Hyundai, for example, explicitly states that its EV batteries will be replaced with **new** packs if they degrade below warranty limits. Tesla? They’re the Spirit Airlines of warranties: technically covering you, but never in the way you’d expect. What’s Next? Quirico’s experience should serve as a warning for anyone looking to buy a Tesla in 2025. The company that once made EVs exciting now feels increasingly indifferent to the people who actually own them. And if Tesla continues to treat its customers like beta testers in a grand experiment, the EV buyers of tomorrow might start looking elsewhere. Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.