"The Motor Is Supposed To Last 1 Million Miles": Man Hits 360,000 Miles On His Model 3. Is That The Norm?
There's a misconception among some car buyers that electric vehicles are disposable modes of transportation and that they sharply depreciate in value over a relatively short amount of time. While the economics of used EV sales are affected by various factors, such as price cuts of new vehicles, the notion that battery-powered cars can't last as long as their internal combustion counterparts is simply not true.
TikTok user @300k.mile.tesla is one of many electric vehicle owners who've managed to rack up serious mileage. His social media account documents his 2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range ownership experience. In a clip posted on Feb. 1, he recorded the precise moment his car hit the 360,000 mile mark, a staggering accomplishment considering that the average modern vehicle "lasts for 200,000 miles," according to Progressive.
Long-Range Repairs
Anticipating questions from other users on the platform, the TikToker addressed the biggest cause of concern folks have with EVs.
"So I know the comments section is going to be flooded with, "How's the battery? Is this the original battery?" So I'll tell you, I changed the battery at 321,000 miles. I got it from a third party called Donut Auto Parts in California. I got it in August, so it's been seven months now. And it's working great," he told users.
He tells viewers that his Tesla's electric motor is holding up great despite the amount of pavement he's put under his tires.
In a series of separate videos, @300k.mile.tesla documented the moment his vehicle was unable to achieve its maximum charge level. In one of his clips, he showed off a series of notifications on his Tesla warning that his ride's battery threshold had depleted significantly after 318,639 miles of use.
In another video, he says the total cost of the battery plus installation was $5,000, but he says prices may vary depending on the vehicle.