238,000 Miles on a Tesla Model 3 Taxi: Is This the Ultimate EV Durability Test?

TL;DR: A 2021 Tesla Model 3 Long Range, used as a taxi, has hit 238,000 miles in four years, still rocking its original battery at 85.5% health. It proves EVs can take a beating and save serious cash on fuel, even with some wear and tear.

Meta: Tesla Model 3 taxi achieves 238,000 miles on original battery.

Alright, alright, settle down folks! You know how some people say electric cars can't handle the grind? Well, I got a story that'll shut 'em up faster than a Tesla on Ludicrous Mode! We're talking about a humble 2021 Tesla Model 3 Long Range that's been putting in WORK as a taxi in the United Kingdom. And get this: in just FOUR years, this bad boy has racked up an unbelievable 238,000 miles! That's almost a quarter-million miles of hauling people, luggage, and probably a few forgotten umbrellas. If that ain't a durability test, I don't know what is!

A Battery That Just Won't Quit

Now, after all that abuse, you'd expect this car to be falling apart, right? Nah, not so fast! The most impressive part? It's still running on its original high-voltage battery. And not just running, but running strong! It's reporting a healthy 85.5% state of health, meaning it's still got nearly 86% of its original range. That's incredible. Plus, the original rear electric motor, brakes, bodywork, and even the windows are still intact. Forget about range anxiety; this car's giving you longevity confidence!

Sure, any car with that many miles is gonna have some wear and tear. The steering wheel, bless its heart, has seen better days. But the interior, after all those passengers and miles, is still in great shape. Same for the bodywork. Most of the money spent has been on typical maintenance: tires (it's on its seventh set!), bushes, rear motor mounts, and a pedestrian warning speaker that finally gave up the ghost at 232,000 miles. Total maintenance and repairs? Around $7,566 (£5,603). That sounds like a lot until you talk about fuel savings.

The Real Savings: Fuel vs. Gas

This is where the rubber literally meets the road. This Model 3 consumed 92.6 megawatt-hours of energy, with a solid 28.2 MWh coming from regenerative braking – talk about free energy! The payable electricity was 64,422 kWh. At an average US price of $0.17/kWh, that's roughly $10,951 in recharging costs over 238,000 miles. That's about $2,738 a year, or a mere $0.04 per mile. Let's compare that to a gas car, shall we?

Imagine a comparable 2021 BMW 330i, getting 30 mpg. With premium gas averaging $3.7/gallon, that BMW would have guzzled down approximately $29,353 in fuel alone! So, even with the Model 3's maintenance costs factored in, its total bill for fuel and upkeep is $18,715 – almost $11,000 LESS than the BMW's fuel costs alone! Now, that's what I call putting money back in your pocket! And remember, this Model 3 is super efficient, averaging 4.2 miles/kWh. Whether you love or hate Tesla or its loud CEO, you can't deny the cars are built tough and are saving people some serious dough.

What's Next

This real-world example reinforces the growing evidence of EV durability and lower long-term running costs. Expect more high-mileage EVs to emerge, further validating their longevity and making them increasingly attractive in the used car market. This kind of data will continue to challenge traditional perceptions of vehicle ownership and accelerate the transition to electric mobility. The future is electric, and it's built to last.

So, if you're still on the fence about going electric, just look at this taxi. It's putting in work, saving money, and still got juice! That's what I call a smart investment! Hah!