Tesla Model 3 With 216,000 Miles: How Much Has Its Battery Degraded?
- evautos2
- Mar 4
- 3 min read
When you hear about a car with over 200,000 miles on it, you might expect it to be pretty worn down, right? But that's not exactly the case with this 2021 Tesla Model 3 Long Range All-Wheel Drive, which has racked up an impressive 216,000 miles in just three years. The car was used as a taxi in the UK, so it's been put through its paces—but how’s it holding up, especially when it comes to that all-important battery?

The 2021 Tesla Model 3: A Quick Overview
This Model 3 Long Range AWD might be a 2021 model, but it’s already lived a full life. With a total of 216,000 miles, it’s clear this Tesla’s been on the move. The car’s original battery and electric motors are still intact—no replacements or repairs have been made. It has some minor body damage, like a few stone chips, and its suspension might need a little TLC, but overall, it’s in pretty good shape for its mileage.
Battery Health: Is 12% Degradation a Big Deal?
One of the biggest concerns for any EV owner is how the battery holds up over time. Thankfully, this Model 3 still has 88% of its original battery capacity left, meaning it’s lost only 12% of its original capacity after 216,000 miles. When the car was new, it had an EPA-rated range of 353 miles on a full charge, but now with the battery degradation, it can still manage 311 miles on a full charge—pretty impressive for a car that’s been driven hard.
This is actually in line with what Tesla owners often experience. A small loss in capacity over time is completely normal, especially after such heavy use, and 12% is considered quite reasonable by industry standards.
Charging Costs: What Does It Cost to Keep This Tesla Running?
Charging an electric vehicle is way cheaper than fueling up a gas-powered car, and this Model 3 is no exception. Over its life, it’s used about 47,000 kWh from home charging. At an average electricity cost of $0.179 per kWh (in the U.S.), that works out to roughly $8,413 for home charging. It also used 11,000 kWh at DC fast chargers (Tesla Superchargers), which would cost an additional $5,280.
So, all in all, charging the car for 216,000 miles came to about $13,693. That sounds like a lot, but when you break it down, it comes to only about $0.06 per mile—or $6.33 per 100 miles. For comparison, if this car were a traditional gas-powered vehicle like a BMW 3 Series, it would have cost around $22,344 in fuel over the same distance—way more than the cost of charging the Tesla.
Final Thoughts: Is This Tesla Still a Great Deal?
Even with 216,000 miles, this 2021 Tesla Model 3 is still in solid shape. The battery is holding up well with only a 12% loss in capacity, and the cost of charging is a fraction of what you’d spend on gas with a traditional car. The buyer picked it up for around $12,000—definitely a steal considering its condition and the value of the drivetrain.
So if you're looking for a used EV, don't be scared off by high mileage. This Model 3 shows that Teslas can be reliable and cost-effective even after years of heavy use. It’s a great example of how long an electric vehicle can go—and still provide plenty of value.
Comentarios