Tesla Model S owner hits 800,000 km after 11 years of driving with zero defects
Published on Apr 20, 2026 at 6:17 PM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Apr 20, 2026 at 6:17 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
A Tesla Model S owner has claimed they’ve hit 800,000km with their EV, having been driving it for over 11 years and with no defects at all.
Some road users are still slightly wary of EVs and whether they are as reliable as internal combustion engine-powered cars.
But Tesla Model S owner Franz Liebmann has done a good job at dispelling that, with his car running 800,361km in total with no defects to report.
This flies in the face of those who say batteries don’t last and that the cars are not ready for the real world.
How the Tesla Model S racked up over 800,000km
Liebmann has driven the EV for 11 years, and it’s been incredibly reliable as a daily driver.
In fact, the only major component that he replaced on the Tesla Model S was the battery.
But even with that, the EV had still done 600,000km before doing so.
For reference, 800,361km is roughly 497,321 miles.
It is the equivalent of 20 trips around the world, and 60 trips from Vienna to New York and back.
Plus, it’s roughly one trip to the moon and back, too.
Being an EV, the Tesla Model S owner hasn’t had to worry about oil changes, engine rebuilds, and, of course, emissions.
The Austrian also feels his car is fighting preconceptions about EVs.
🚗 800,361 km.
— Franz Liebmann (@lipo1) April 14, 2026
Zero defects. Passed inspection again.
In a Tesla Model S.
You know… the “toy” that was supposed to die after a few years. 😉
No engine rebuild.
No oil changes.
No emissions drama.
Just… driving.
Meanwhile, the internet keeps repeating:
❌ “Batteries die… pic.twitter.com/TwnhLNb4RF
Liebmann spoke about the car in a post on X.
“Maybe the real issue isn’t the technology,” said the Tesla Model S owner.
“Maybe it’s that some opinions are just… pre-installed,” added Liebmann.
Why electric cars are more reliable than you think
Liebmann also challenged fellow drivers in Austria to find a car with as many miles as his.
“Does anyone know a car in Austria with more than 800,000 km on the clock?” he asked.
For those worried about the reliability of an EV, Liebmann does show there is no need to worry.
Such is the quality of electric cars in 2026, they seem to be getting more and more reliable.
What Car? did a survey on the most reliable electric cars at the start of 2026.
The BMW i3 scored very highly at 97.4 percent, closely followed by the current-generation BMW i4.
Less glamorous but still high up was the Nissan Leaf at 96.5 percent.
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 also scored very highly at 95.7 percent.
If you were worried about the reliability of an EV, it seems there is no need to be concerned.
Tesla timeline
July 2003: Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning incorporate the business to challenge the automotive status quo and advance clean vehicle technology
April 2004: Elon Musk joins as chairman of the board after leading the initial $7.5 million Series A financing round
March 2008: The first production vehicle, the Roadster, officially launches to prove electric cars can offer high performance without compromising design
June 2010: The EV manufacturer debuts on the NASDAQ through an Initial Public Offering that successfully raises over $226 million
June 2012: The Model S luxury sedan is introduced, fundamentally shifting global consumer perception of battery-powered transport
July 2017: Production of the mass-market Model 3 commences just as the brand broadens its corporate scope to include large-scale solar and battery storage
March 2020: The Model Y compact SUV enters the market, and cumulative global car production soon surpasses the one million milestone
November 2023: First deliveries for the highly anticipated, stainless-steel Cybertruck officially begin in North America
2025: The energy division achieves record financial growth as Megapack and Powerwall deployments reach unprecedented capacity levels globally
2026: Strategic focus expands heavily toward physical AI and autonomous driving infrastructure, with the continued development of the Cybercab platform
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Henry joined the Supercar Blondie team in February 2025, and since then has covered a wide array of topics ranging from EVs, American barn finds, and the odd Cold War jet. He’s combined his passion for cars with his keen interest in motorsport and his side hustle as a volunteer steam locomotive fireman at a heritage steam railway.
