After 13 years of ownership and more than 210,000 miles, Tiffani of Tesla Mom USA (@TeslaMomUSA) says her 2013 Model S still runs on its original battery. She still charges it at home using an ordinary household outlet, to boot.
Here's what to know
After comparing Tesla's records with her electricity bill, she estimated that home charging cost $919 for the year, or about $77 per month. In a YouTube video, Tiffani shared a year of charging data for her Model S 60.
Her household also sent solar electricity back to the grid, generating an estimated $630 in credits. Applying those credits against the car's charging costs brought her calculation to $289 annually, or about $24 per month.
Beyond charging at home, the Tesla received 2,672 kilowatt-hours of free Supercharging that year through its SC01 benefit. Before her work routine changed, free Superchargers accounted for about 80% of her charging.
More background
In the summer of 2018, she and her travel companion, Abby, took a 10,000-mile, 68-day trip from California through Miami, New York, Niagara Falls, and the Midwest. Free Supercharging covered their charging stops along the way.
The pair also slept in the Tesla for an estimated 23 nights using a DreamCase bed. Assuming a hotel rate of $220 per night, Tiffani calculated roughly $5,060 in potential lodging savings.
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To estimate avoided gasoline costs, she used a vehicle getting 20 miles per gallon and gas priced at approximately $2.90 per gallon. That added another $1,450, bringing the estimated fuel and hotel savings to about $6,500.
According to Tiffani, the trip began when Tesla had only about 1,300 Supercharger stations worldwide.
What can be done?
For Tiffani, charging at a rental home has meant using a regular 120-volt outlet rather than installing a 240-volt charger.
She says the outlet restores around three miles of range each hour, adding about 50 to 60 miles during an overnight charge, which is enough for her routine.
She sets her everyday charging limit at 73%, raising it to about 90% for road trips. Because the final stretch of charging takes longer, she generally goes beyond that level only when reaching her next stop requires the extra range.
For drivers with the same free-charging benefit, one commenter pointed to an important distinction involving Tesla for Supercharger sites, identified as S4B.
"These S4B sites DO NOT support SC01," the commenter wrote, noting that those sites can be filtered in navigation. "You'll have to pay."
"They are making them franchises - so the ones not owned by Tesla do not have to honor the free supercharging deal," Tiffani responded in the comments. "I guess we just enjoy it while it lasts!"
The same could be said for her Tesla. It has served as a place to sleep as well as transportation for Tiffani's cross-country travels. Along the way, it has handled steep climbs and California heat.
"She isn't a museum showpiece," Tiffani assessed. "She's a family car that has been used for the life I actually live. And after almost 210,000 miles, her original battery is still going. I just keep driving her every day."
Where can I learn more?
Tiffani's experience offers a look at battery life and charging costs after years of everyday driving. Other drivers' anecdotes explore other high-mileage EVs, home charging, and how battery health can affect trade-in value.
• A Tesla Model 3 owner detailed battery loss and repairs after 250,000 miles.
• A $13,000 Tesla Model S with 140,000 miles still delivered 221 miles of range.
• In Toronto, a Model Y owner reported annual home charging costs of $351, versus $3,274 for gas.
• A dealer said a 200,000-mile EV's 79 battery health score could hurt trade-in value.
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