Model 3 Owners’ Thoughts on LFP Battery Health

Battery Age & Charging: Impact on Degradation

There’s no mystical process for keeping all of your electric car’s original range even after it has been driven long distances; at least not at the moment. Nevertheless, through some tender loving care and adhering to the fundamentals, EV proprietors can restrict battery deterioration to a minimal degree over time.

To limit battery debasement for the rear-wheel-drive Tesla Model 3 with the lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells, according to Tesla, one of the premier strategies is to charge it completely up to a full 100 percent at least once each seven days.

One may question if that truly secures optimal range retention? How does battery wellbeing differ when charging habitually to 80% in lieu of totally? Additionally, what is the typical deterioration rate for a Model 3’s LFP battery? To help resolve these queries, several proprietors shared their encounters on a Reddit thread.

Prior to that, some fundamental battery information must be noted: Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries tend to be more cost-effective and retain charge much longer than Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt (NMC) batteries; consequently, they are more agreeable for entry-level products like the Rear-wheel Drive version of the Model 3.

In the last few years, automobile manufacturers have turned away from metals like cobalt for some applications due to ethical issues. Even though they are not capable of providing as much energy and a reduced range, Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries have grown in prominence for their cost efficiency. Tesla is predominantly making use of CATL’s LFP batteries for both standard Model 3 and Model Y cars around the world.

Dozens of exceedingly satisfied proprietors of a Model 3 loaded with the LFP battery seem to be transitioning onward. It appeared to be the case that 10- to 12-month-old versions of the Model 3 displayed comparable levels of degradation – around 2 percent – regardless of whether they were charged from 80-100 percent on daily basis or weekly.

Various proprietors remarked that the age of the battery appeared to be more influential with regards to lowering its quality than the total mileage traveled, mainly in the early years. To be noted is that factors, for example, driving approach, climate, upkeep and charging regimen, are among some elements which could influence the future range capability of your electric vehicle.

It has been observed that, for one individual car proprietor, maximum distance traveled decreased by approximately 2.2% once they surpassed the 20,000-mile threshold.

Yet, exceptions abound. Older varieties were undoubtedly more prone to degradation, with this one patron remarking his Model 3 had dropped almost five percent in range over the two-year period.

It might be the case that the battery management system (BMS) of certain owners could not showcase the actual range because of misaligned calibrations and fluxuating voltage among single cells, as Tessie the data logging app evidences. Luckily, recalibrating the BMS can be done with relative ease; letting the charge drop to below 10% for a time period of one hour and then recharging up to maximum capacity works to reset the system and display a truer range according to Tessie.

Dozens of other proprietors have provided tips for achieving the maximum distance out of the Model 3’s Longer-Range Battery (LRP) through the years. Regardless if you’re amongst the original buyers or a recent purchaser, you could take in some lessons from these stalwart drivers who have already travelled a great deal of miles in their Electric Vehicles (EVs).