Electrical expert uncovers surprising findings after examining a Tesla with over 1 million miles on the odometer
- This Tesla Model S owner has driven his car more than one million miles
- It’s an impressive feat that has put the car through 14 engines
- He did it by following two simple but specific rules
Published on Nov 13, 2024 at 1:14 PM (UTC+4)
by Alessandro Renesis
Last updated on May 15, 2025 at 3:42 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
This Tesla owner has driven his Tesla Model S for 1.24 million miles and his car battery’s still in great condition.
He says there’s a good reason for that too.
The proud owner of a sturdy 2014 Model S P85, Hansjörg von Gemmingen-Hornberg, said he was able to achieve this many miles thanks to a ‘technique’ he developed.
And it explains why the car, upon inspection, looks as good as new.
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Why this Tesla Model S looks so ‘young’
When you examine the Tesla Model S, it’s like the automotive equivalent of a 60-year-old man who looks 10 or 20 years younger.
So basically his car is like the Tesla version of Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise.
But jokes aside, his technique essentially consists of two rules.
One, keep your journeys short, and two, never let the battery go to zero.
Hansjörg von Gemmingen-Hornberg told InsideEVs magazine that he always charges the car when the battery goes below 20 percent, and he always gives his car ‘a rest’ after about 60 miles.
Obviously maintenance plays a key role, too.
Over the span of 1.2 million miles, the engine had to be replaced 13 times, and his Model S is currently on its fourth battery, which is the equivalent of a battery pack every 300,000 miles.
When the guys from the Watt Energy YouTube channel examined the state of the battery, they couldn’t believe what they were seeing.
They were shocked the car had only needed four batteries, including three replacements under warranty, and that the second battery lasted 670,000 km.
Hansjörg von Gemmingen-Hornberg isn’t the only Tesla owner who’s done this
He isn’t the only car owner to have pushed his car beyond the million-mile mark.
One Greek taxi driver racked up an astonishing 3 million miles over the course of 23 years, whilst a Canadian cabbie hit 1.6 million over 35 years.
Meanwhile, a man in Slovakia owns a Model X with over 200,000 miles on the clock and, just like von Gemmingen-Hornberg’s Tesla, his car looks as good as new.
Alessandro is an automotive journalist with 10 years of experience covering supercars, automotive history, emerging vehicle technology, and luxury transportation. He wrote the first article published on SupercarBlondie.com when the website launched in 2022 and has since built a reputation for insightful reporting across the automotive and transportation industries. His expertise is grounded in hands-on experience. Alessandro has driven every Tesla model ever produced, from the original Roadster to the Cybertruck, and regularly covers the latest developments in electric vehicles and automotive innovation. His passion for transportation extends beyond cars, he has even flown a Boeing 787 Dreamliner simulator in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His reporting spans everything from classic American muscle cars and rare automotive discoveries to luxury yachts, private aircraft, high-end watches, and cutting-edge vehicle technology. Known for his deep knowledge of automotive history and ability to uncover the stories behind iconic vehicles, Alessandro brings readers a blend of historical context, technical expertise, and first-hand experience.
