Some Nice Tesla Data
17 months of nice data to be exact
I think I have mentioned this before, but I own a Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus (2020). I like data a whole lot and find it very interesting. Today I decided to break down all the data from my Tesla battery and review what has been going on over the last 17 months (random but that’s how long my data goes back).
The data was pulled from an app called Tessie. I would highly recommend the app if you are a Tesla owner.
Ok let’s jump into it.
This data represents real-world usage from October 2023 to March 2025, covering nearly 37,000 miles of driving.
I've been able to log detailed battery statistics including:
Usable battery capacity (kWh)
Maximum estimated range (miles)
Maximum ideal range (miles)
Odometer readings
The data was collected across various seasons, driving conditions, and charging habits. This provides a comprehensive view of how my Tesla's battery has performed in everyday usage.
Key Findings
Overall Degradation
Initial battery capacity: 45.18 kWh (October 2023)
Current battery capacity: 42.69 kWh (March 2025)
Total degradation: 2.49 kWh (5.51%)
For context, this represents an average degradation of about 0.32% per month. At this rate, the battery would reach 70% of its original capacity (typically considered end-of-life for EV batteries) in approximately 13 years.
Degradation Per Mile
One of the most insightful metrics is understanding degradation relative to mileage:
Starting odometer: 54,682 miles
Current odometer: 91,544 miles
Miles driven: 36,862 miles
Degradation per 10,000 miles: 0.68 kWh (1.50%)
This suggests that for every 10,000 miles driven, I can expect to lose approximately 1.5% of my battery capacity. This is actually better than Tesla's own projections, which typically estimate about 2-3% degradation per 10,000 miles in the early life of the vehicle.
Maximum Range Impact
The EPA-rated range for the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus (2020) is approximately 250 miles on a full charge. When I first started tracking in October 2023, my maximum range was around 215 miles, indicating some initial degradation had already occurred. Now, it's closer to 204 miles – a reduction of about 11 miles during my monitoring period.
This represents a total degradation of about 18.4% from the original EPA rating (250 miles → 204 miles), with approximately 5.1% occurring during my tracking period of nearly 37,000 miles.
Correlation Analysis
The data shows a strong negative correlation (-0.9354) between mileage and battery capacity, confirming that degradation is indeed tied to vehicle usage rather than just calendar age. However, the rate of degradation isn't perfectly linear – it appears to be tapering off slightly as the battery ages.
Seasonal Variations
One interesting observation from the data is that battery capacity appears to fluctuate slightly with seasonal temperature changes. During colder months, the reported capacity typically dips by 1-2%, only to recover when temperatures rise again. This is expected behavior for lithium-ion batteries and doesn't represent permanent degradation.
Charging Habits and Battery Health
While this dataset doesn't explicitly track charging habits, I can share that I've followed these general practices:
Daily charging to 80-90% for regular use
Limiting Supercharger use to long trips (approximately 5% of total charging)
Rarely letting the battery fall below 10% (unless trying to have the BMS recalc)
Occasional full charges (to 100%) before long trips
These practices align with Tesla's recommendations for maintaining battery health.
Projections for Future Degradation
Based on the current trend, I can make some projections:
5-year projection: Approximately 15-17% total degradation
100,000-mile projection: Approximately 9-10% total degradation from original capacity
It's worth noting that battery degradation typically follows a non-linear curve – faster initially, then slowing down. This means my projections may actually be pessimistic if the degradation curve continues to flatten.
Comparison to Tesla's Claims
Tesla has stated that their vehicles are designed to retain approximately 70% of their original battery capacity after 200,000 miles or 8 years (whichever comes first). My data suggests I'm on track to exceed that benchmark, potentially retaining 80-85% capacity at the 200,000-mile mark.
Conclusion
After 17 months and nearly 37,000 miles of driving, my Tesla's battery has degraded by about 5.5% – an impressively low figure considering the mileage. This translates to a real-world range reduction of only about 11 miles.
The data reinforces what many Tesla owners report anecdotally: these batteries are designed for longevity, and with proper charging habits, they can maintain their performance for many years and hundreds of thousands of miles.
For prospective Tesla or EV buyers concerned about battery degradation, my experience suggests that while some capacity loss is inevitable, it's unlikely to significantly impact the usability of the vehicle within the first 5-8 years of ownership.
I'll continue tracking this data and may post an update after the 100,000-mile mark or 2-year anniversary, whichever comes first!
Technical Notes:
Vehicle: Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus (2020)
Data collection tool: Tessie app
Analysis tools: Custom dashboard built with React and Recharts
Data collection period: October 2023 - March 2025
Cheers,
Joe