For years, one of the biggest questions looming over the electric vehicle revolution has been a simple one: how long will the batteries last? Skeptics have painted a dire picture of costly battery replacements just outside the warranty period, turning a cutting-edge vehicle into a financial albatross. But as the first wave of mass-market EVs enters its golden years, real-world data is beginning to tell a very different—and overwhelmingly positive—story.
With the pioneering Tesla Model S now well over a decade old, we are no longer relying on lab tests or manufacturer promises. We are witnessing a growing fleet of ultra-high-mileage Teslas that have stood the test of time and distance, all on their original battery packs. The narrative is shifting from "if" the battery will fail to just how gracefully it will age.
Last year, a stunning example from AutoTrader UK made headlines: a Model S with over 430,000 miles on the odometer was found to have a perfectly tolerable 23% battery degradation. Now, a new, in-depth review is adding another compelling data point, this time focusing on the effects of age, rather than just extreme mileage.
A Deep Dive into a Decade of EV Ownership
The YouTube channel Ludicrous Feed recently turned the spotlight on their own 10-year-old Tesla Model S. The car in question is a 2015 Model S 70D, which originally left the factory with a 69 kWh battery pack and an EPA-estimated range of 218 miles.
Surprisingly, this particular vehicle has only clocked 121,000 km (approximately 75,000 miles) over its decade on the road. This relatively low mileage for its age presents a fascinating case study. Instead of testing the battery against relentless use, it examines how the pack holds up against the slow march of time.
To get a definitive, unbiased answer, the host, Tom, arranged for a third-party battery health test. The results were enough to make any EV skeptic take notice.
The Moment of Truth: Shockingly Minimal Battery Degradation
After a full decade of charging, driving, and real-world use, the sophisticated diagnostic test revealed the car's current maximum battery capacity: approximately 61 kWh.
Let's do the math. A drop from 69 kWh to 61 kWh represents a degradation of just 11.9%. In other words, this 2015 Model S 70D still retains a remarkable 88.1% of its original battery capacity.
This figure is particularly impressive when you consider the context. While 75,000 miles is modest for a ten-year-old car, it's still a significant distance—enough to circle the globe three times. The fact that the car's most critical and expensive component has weathered the years so effectively is a powerful testament to the durability of Tesla's battery technology and battery management systems.
For the owner, this translates to a real-world range loss of around 26 miles from the original 218-mile rating. For daily commuting and even most longer trips, the vehicle remains perfectly viable and highly functional.
What This Means for the Average EV Buyer
The implications of this real-world data are significant for the used car market and prospective EV owners worried about long-term value.
The average American keeps a new vehicle for roughly 12 years. This Model S is, by that standard, nearing the end of a typical ownership cycle. Yet, its "heart" is still beating strong. It definitively debunks the myth that an EV's battery is destined for the scrap heap after a single decade.
It's true that if a battery replacement were needed, the cost would be substantially higher than a typical engine or transmission repair on a gas-powered car. However, this "if" is a crucial qualifier. Cases like this show that such a catastrophic failure is far from inevitable. Furthermore, the annual maintenance costs for an EV, with its substantially fewer moving parts, are consistently proven to be lower than for a comparable internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle.
Beyond the Battery: A Decade of Ownership Reviewed
So, what was the ownership experience like over ten years? According to Ludicrous Feed's Tom, it was overwhelmingly positive with few major complaints.
The one notable issue was the failure of the door handle motors, a known and well-documented quirk of the 2015 Model S. These required an out-of-warranty replacement—a minor annoyance, but not a deal-breaker in the grand scheme of a decade of service.
To see the full battery test and hear the owner's detailed reflections on a decade with this pioneering EV, check out the full video from Ludicrous Feed.
The video paints an undeniably positive picture. It’s a story not of anxiety and failure, but of reliability and quiet satisfaction. As more of these early EVs continue to rack up the years and miles, they are becoming their own most powerful advocates, proving that the technology wasn't just a flash in the pan, but a durable foundation for the future of transportation. The evidence is mounting: these batteries are built to last.