Kentucky man shares what happened when his 2022 Tesla Model Y battery died after just 4 years and 47,000 miles
Published on Nov 11, 2026 at 5:31 AM (UTC-5)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Nov 11, 2026 at 5:31 AM (UTC-5)
Edited by
Mason Jones
This Kentucky man has shared what happened after his Tesla Model Y battery died after four years and 47,000 miles.
Andy Slye’s Model Y threw up the message that every EV driver dreads to see – ‘Unable to charge’.
Left with this hurdle, he had to get in touch with Tesla to work out a solution.
What happened next may surprise you.
Andy Slye’s experience as a Tesla owner
In the past, YouTuber Andy Slye has been candid about his experiences owning Tesla cars.
Whether that’s breaking down the hidden costs behind a Model 3 or comparing a Model 3 to a Toyota Camry, he’s left virtually no stone unturned.
But now that disaster has struck with his Model Y, would that throw a wrench in the works?
What happened when the battery on this Tesla Model Y died?
After four and a half years and 47,000 miles, trouble had come for Slye’s Tesla Model Y.
An ‘Unable to charge’ error had popped up on the screen.
It wouldn’t charge at home and it wouldn’t charge out at a Supercharger either.
Fortunately for him, he was still covered by the eight-year/120,000 mile battery warranty.
Trying to book an appointment for a replacement through the app indicated that it’d be a two week wait.
So he decided to drive to the nearest service center to report that his car wasn’t charging – this would be treated as an emergency.
What happened once the battery on his Model Y was replaced?
Getting the battery replaced did wonders for the car – its range rose from 278 miles to 328 miles.
That was close to the car’s original range.
“A dead battery or a battery dying is one of the biggest fears for people who are getting an electric vehicle,” Slye said.
“And that happens and it happened to me. Ironically, that was one of the best things to happen for this car because we got more range out of it.”
And as if all of that wasn’t good enough, the replacement didn’t cost him a thing.
Talk about blessings in disguise.
The best of Supercar Blondie, every Sunday
The week's best car stories, straight to your inbox. Free.
Ben joined Supercar Blondie in February 2025 after being published by international organizations including LADbible, The Sun, the New York Post, and the Daily Mail. He covers supercars, rare and collectible vehicles, aviation, luxury assets, and the fascinating people behind them. His reporting has explored everything from seven-figure supercars and historic Ferrari collections to unusual aircraft adventures and extraordinary automotive discoveries from around the world. Ben has also gained first-hand insight into vehicle craftsmanship and customization, including visiting specialist workshops to see bespoke vehicles up close.
