When it comes to buying a used electric vehicle, one of the biggest concerns is the degradation of the battery over time. This is especially true for luxury EVs like the Tesla Model S, which can depreciate quickly. However, a recent test of an 11-year-old Tesla Model S with over 100,000 miles on the clock has shown that the real-world range of the vehicle is still quite impressive.
The 2014 Tesla Model S 85, which was purchased earlier this year for just $13,000, still has its original battery. This is a significant factor, as replacing the battery pack in a Tesla can cost upwards of $20,000. Despite this potential risk, the new owners of the car have been using it as a daily driver without any major concerns.
In a recent test conducted by The Fast Lane EV, the 2014 Tesla Model S 85 was driven on a 111-mile loop around Denver, Colorado. With a 99% state of charge, the estimated range displayed on the gauge cluster was 274 miles. The test involved driving at 75 miles per hour for the majority of the route, with a small portion of city driving at lower speeds. At the end of the test, the car had covered 233.6 miles using 63.3 kilowatt-hours of energy, with an average energy efficiency of 3.69 miles/kWh (271 Wh/mile).
This test revealed that the 11-year-old Tesla Model S still had an impressive range, despite its age and mileage. The car was able to achieve a range of 233.6 miles, which is only about 12% less than its original EPA-estimated range of 265 miles. It’s worth noting that the car still had 10 miles of range remaining at the end of the test, indicating that it could have gone even further with slightly slower driving speeds.
Overall, this test demonstrates that not all used electric vehicles are created equal. The 2014 Tesla Model S 85 has proven to be a reliable and efficient vehicle, even after 11 years and over 100,000 miles on the road. For anyone considering buying a used EV, this test serves as a reassuring example of the longevity and performance that can still be expected from older electric vehicles.