After three years of ownership man’s Tesla Model 3 did something unthinkable
- A YouTuber’s Tesla Model 3 has defied expectations after three years use
- After an initial dip, its range actually boosted
- He credits this increase to good charging habits
Published on Sep 20, 2024 at 2:10 PM (UTC+4)
by Andie Reeves
Last updated on Sep 20, 2024 at 2:10 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
This man’s Tesla Model 3 has actually improved with use – contrary to what you might believe.
The YouTuber has used it daily for three years and just posted his yearly review.
It’s expected that an electric vehicle’s range will degrade over time—up to 10% over a similar time period.
His trusty Model 3’s range degraded slightly, but then – unexpectedly – it went up.
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What three years does to a Tesla Model 3
YouTuber Adam Wellinformed bought a brand new Tesla Model 3 three years ago and has used it as his daily driver for himself and his family.
He performed a thorough check-in to see how the EV has held up over the years.
What’s unsurprising but still satisfying is how much he’s saved on fuel, having spent just £354 on electricity in total.
He’s put 25,000 miles on the clock, which is slightly below the average, and certainly less than the man who drove his Model S for 1.2 million miles.
Much like the YouTuber who recently reviewed his Model Y after four years of use, his Model 3 hasn’t needed any major maintenance.
The paintwork has also remained in good condition, contrary to what many Tesla sceptics would expect.
But what impressed Wellinformed the most was the range, which didn’t decline as he thought it might.
How to increase a Tesla’s range
When the YouTuber bought his Tesla Model 3, the range was rated as 263 miles.
After one year of use, it had degraded to 235 miles and after another it was down to 229 miles.
Today, after three years, it’s jumped back up to 232 miles.
While only a small amount at 1.4% more, it’s pretty exciting as an owner to see an EV’s range increase this way.
He credits good charging habits, following Tesla’s recommended battery health tips, which he reckons helps to rebalance the cells better.
In previous years it took quite some time to go from 99% to a full charge, whereas now it reaches 100% so fast he couldn’t capture it on camera.
While his wife has her eye on the Model Y, Wellinformed is so pleased with his Model 3 that he’s happily driving into a fourth year of use.
He says he’ll be happy to trade it in one day, for a newer Model 3 that is.
Andie is a content writer from South Africa with a background in broadcasting and journalism. Starting her career in the glossy pages of Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire, Andie has a broad portfolio, covering everything from sustainability solutions to celebrity car collections. When not at her laptop Andie can be found sewing, recording her podcast, taking board games too seriously or road-tripping in her bright green Kia.
