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When Tesla introduced free lifetime Supercharging for early adopters, it was a game-changer. Owners like Ron Silver, who has clocked over 130,000 miles on his 2016 Model S, took full advantage of this perk. But as the miles added up, so did the questions: Does frequent Supercharging degrade the battery faster? Is the convenience worth potential long-term costs?
Ron Silver shared his experience in the “TESLA High Mileage CLUB” on Facebook:
“I have over 130,000 miles on my 2016 Model S. Supercharge a lot to try to feel like I’m getting my ‘money’s worth’ out of my free Supercharging. Supercharging doesn’t really have that big of an impact on longevity of the battery. Extreme temperatures and extreme states of charge (close to 0% and close to 100%) for long periods of time have a significantly greater impact on degradation.”
Ron also shared this image of his 2016 Model S Charge Stats with his comment, to demonstrated his point.
Ron’s insights resonate with many Tesla owners who have amassed significant mileage. In the same Facebook group, 19 Tesla owners responded to a query about Supercharging habits and battery health. The consensus? Supercharging, even when used frequently, doesn’t drastically impact battery longevity.
Supporting this sentiment, a comprehensive study by Recurrent analyzed data from over 12,500 Tesla vehicles in the U.S. The findings revealed no statistically significant difference in battery degradation between vehicles that frequently used Superchargers and those that didn’t. In fact, some data suggested that frequent Supercharging might have a negligible or even slightly positive effect on battery health.
However, it’s essential to consider other factors that can influence battery health. Nicole Mossinger highlighted the role of climate:
“This question should factor in the climate the car lives in. Early batteries are more sensitive to moisture because the pyro fuse door is at the top of the battery housing. As it gets wet and corrodes, it doesn’t seal properly anymore and moisture enters the battery housing. This causes all kinds of challenges including corrosion and shorts. A change was made in the second half of 2015; now the fuse door is at the bottom.”
George Karibian emphasized the importance of state of charge (SOC):
“Test after test has shown little to no impact from Supercharging, but they all show degradation due to SOC below 20% and above 80%, especially when stored. Why ask about Supercharging and not question what percentage it was charged to routinely? Does it even matter when you can test its degradation before buying?”
Steven Hirst added:
“As Tesla has previously published, Supercharging makes no difference to battery life. The only folks that know are Tesla, and sadly they’re not going to say.”
Rocky Hinten shared his personal experience:
“As was pointed out a couple of times, Supercharging isn’t much of a factor. The early few years of battery packs had some bad design choices that made them vulnerable to sudden failure from moisture intrusion. So that’s a roll of the dice. And as was also mentioned, long-term sitting at higher states of charge is the main thing for long-term calendar degradation. Mine is a March 2014 S85 and does still have the original battery with 113K miles on it. I’ve been fortunate so far and still have over 90% original capacity retention, which is great. But because of those bad early designs, I would usually recommend people to look for 2016 or newer.”
These firsthand accounts align with broader research. A study by Recurrent Auto, which analyzed data from over 12,500 Tesla vehicles, found that the rate of range degradation is statistically similar when comparing frequent Supercharging to infrequent use.
However, it’s worth noting that some newer models, like the Tesla Cybertruck, have shown varying results. Owners who frequently use Superchargers have reported up to 5% battery degradation within a few months, which is significantly higher than those who primarily charge at home . This suggests that while Supercharging may not drastically impact older models, newer battery chemistries or designs might respond differently.
Best Practices for Tesla Battery Longevity
While Supercharging doesn’t seem to be the primary culprit in battery degradation, certain habits can help maintain battery health:
- Moderate Charging Levels: Aim to keep your battery charged between 20% and 80%. Frequent full charges or letting the battery deplete completely can accelerate degradation.
- Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Both high heat and freezing temperatures can negatively impact battery health. Parking in shaded areas during hot days and preconditioning your battery in cold weather can help.
- Regular Software Updates: Tesla continuously improves its battery management system through software updates. Keeping your vehicle updated ensures optimal battery performance.
- Smooth Driving: Rapid acceleration and hard braking can strain the battery. Adopting a smooth driving style enhances efficiency and reduces battery wear.
- Monitor Battery Health: Use Tesla’s Energy app to monitor energy consumption, range, and efficiency. Regular checks can help identify any unusual patterns or issues.
Conclusion
The collective experiences of Tesla owners and supporting studies suggest that frequent Supercharging doesn’t significantly impact battery longevity, especially in older models like the 2016 Model S. However, factors like climate, charging habits, and vehicle design play crucial roles in battery health.
As EV technology evolves, it’s essential to stay informed and adapt best practices to ensure your vehicle’s longevity.
Have you experienced battery degradation in your Tesla or another EV? Do you primarily use Superchargers or charge at home? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below. Let’s continue the conversation and learn from each other’s journeys.
Armen Hareyan is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.
Images by Ron Silver, shared in the Tesla High Mileage Club open Facebook group and used under Fair Use Copyright rule.
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Source: torquenews.com
