High mileage cars are always a big trouble issue for every drivers, especially an electric car which is a new type of vehicle in the market. Most people misunderstood about an electric car because those hybrid cars in the market had made a huge damage to their owners. Some of which are inverter and hybrid battery, 1.6 kWh(a tiny capacity battery).
Nowadays, we can see so many Tesla went beyond 100,000 miles, such as Tesla Model S and Tesla Model X. As well as this car, Tesla Model 3, Kris Westover put 100,000 miles on his Tesla Model 3 in last week. Therefore, let see what he learn from driving an electric car for 100,000 miles within two years.
History of Whisper
Kris Westover named his Tesla Model 3 as Whisper, and he really loves this car.
After 100k miles, Whisper has been a true show/service car. She’s let nearly 100 people test drive her and given rides to literally about 10,000 people!
Kris Westover
Given rides about 10,000 people
According to his data, Kris gave rides to 10,000 people within two years which was quite a lot trips for a normal car to handle. However, Car dealer in Thailand not allow their hybrid cars to use as a taxi or uber otherwise the warranty will be voided because those hybrid battery can’t barely handle this excessive of usage. When it comes to Tesla vehicle, the driver can do whatever they want as long as they don’t use their car for illegal activities.
Comparing to ICE Car, if we want to use to pick up or drop off 10,000 people. The first thing that have to replace is brake shoe and 20 oil changes for sure.
Note : Tesla Model 3 Long Range will cost around $48,990, but it will cost around $133,333 in Thailand. Due to luxury tax and battery tax in Thailand.
What problems do you have?
This is the favorite question for everybody. Putting 100,000 miles into gasoline car will definitely have at least 25 maintenance services, some of which are oil change, brake fluid change, transmission fluid change, head gasket replace, water pump replace, and etc.
Putting 100,000 miles into electric car is totally fine, even you owned a Nissan leaf because electric cars have less part to fix. The only essential parts of the ev car is battery, and it can be long lasting for 200,000 miles without any service.
However, Kris faced only one issue when the car hit 90,000 miles which is the AC(Air Compressor) which cost him around $1,000. That’s it.B
1. AC – $1,000
The reason that made whisper’s AC went off quickly than other car is the weather of the place that he lived, Arizona. The temperature in the summer there will be higher than 100 Fahrenheit, and do not forget that he used this car to run around the town all day to pick up and drop off a ton of people, so he claim that he was fine about this issue.
Low maintenance gal too! Aside from tires, a few minor warrantied fixes early on and after blasting the AC for 2 AZ summers and 90k miles her compressor gave out ($1000).
Kris Westover
I lived in Texas which have a rough weather like Arizona, so I knew what Kris’s car felt like in Summer there. My old car, Honda civic 2008, also had the problem with AC. I have to change that compressor as well in 2018 which cost me $750 to do that. Therefore, I think it’s normal for every cars to change or maintenance that part, if you have to live in hottest zone in Summer.
4 set of tires in 100,000 miles
Kris changed four set of tires in 100,000 miles which is quite normal for every cars. He claims that he changed them every 30,000 miles. However, the thing that force him to change his tires was punctured which some of them are hard to fixed.
it’s RWD, 4th set. Just over 30k/set avg. Had some punctures too.
Kris Wesover
Battery degradation?
This will be most frequently questions and silly questions from every people than never use an electric car.
She can still run about 290 miles on a full charge. (only ~7% degradation)
Kris Westover
Wow! it’s really amazing how battery can hold the capacity this long. If he used a hybrid car then he might need to change the hybrid battery at least one time before it reach 100,000 miles.
BLINK DRIVE TAKE
Tesla has a TMS (Thermal management System) which control the temperature of the battery. It prevented the battery become too hot or too cold, so there is no doubt about battery degradation of Tesla car unless that car had a deflected battery which is still under warranty.
Moreover, Kris told that he will review this car again which it reach 1,000,000 miles, so let see what’s problem will he get along with his journey.
