Elon Musk explains why you shouldn't charge your Tesla battery to 100% (2024)

FAQs

Why shouldn't you charge Tesla to 100%? ›

The other reason to avoid going all the way to 100 is because it can help preserve battery life. Whether it's a phone, cordless drill, or your car, batteries simply don't like to be full. Keeping them topped to the brim means, over time, the maximum kilowatt-hours they can hold shrinks faster than it would otherwise.

No batteries last for ever, of course, but staying proactive and aiming for 80% charge can help them last longer. This is because the battery finds it easier to charge when it is slightly empty, rather than nearly full, and therefore has less stress within its charging cycle.

A high current charge will, however, quickly fill the battery to about 70 percent. Li-ion does not need to be fully charged as is the case with lead acid, nor is it desirable to do so.

Charging Routine. Try to avoid keeping the battery below 20% charge for an extended period of time. When the battery is too low in charge, the battery icon will turn yellow and the available range will drop if the vehicle is parked in colder temperatures.

If you really need the range, go up to 90-95%. Electric car batteries should not, generally, be charged to 100%. Long-term, this reduces the battery's longevity, and Tesla cars actually charge up to 90% by default.

It's all to do with keeping your battery as healthy as possible, for as long as possible. And while it's perfectly safe to charge your electric car to 100%, the Lithium-Ion batteries that power most electric cars are most efficient working in ranges from roughly 20 to 80%.

So, with regard to the question, “Should I charge my Tesla to 80% or 90% or 100?,” the answer is “yes.” Charge it to whatever you need to charge it to and don't stress.

Charging fully can be bad

Consistently charging to 100% capacity promotes the growth of lithium metal tendrils known as dendrites that can cause a short circuit. But more commonly, the lithium ions fall out of circulation when they get caught in side reactions within the electrolyte.

What you've described is perfectly normal, as charging to 85% will preserve the overall lifespan of your battery, but will likely mean you'll get less usage time between charges. It taxes the battery a bit more when you charge to 100%, as opposed to 85% (or even to a lower percentage than this).

Overheating is one of the main causes of lithium-ion battery failures, although physical damage to the battery can also lead to problems. Excessive heat — for example from using a faulty charger and overcharging the battery, or due to a short circuit — can damage the battery cell internally and cause it to fail.

What is the 30 80 rule for battery life? ›

To maximize battery life, you should charge your phone when it reaches 30% state of charge. This isn't always possible, however. What percent should you charge your phone? To maximize battery lifespan, consider charging your smartphone to 80% state of charge, no more.

Limiting a charge works because phone batteries hate being completely full or empty, and they are also damaged when charging over 80 percent while hot. This is why fast chargers dump power into a battery up to 80 percent and then slow to a trickle for the final 20 percent.

What is the Recommended Charge Level for a Tesla Model 3? The Tesla Model 3 RWD's battery pack uses the LFP chemistry which Tesla recommends charging to 100% at least once per week. Tesla recommends setting the charge limit to 100% for daily use.

What is the best practice for charging an electric vehicle at home? We recommend plugging in every evening to top off the battery. If your utility has low, overnight electricity rates, set your charging schedule to match those off-peak times.

According to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Tesla car batteries are supposed to last around 300,000 to 500,000 miles or about 1,500 times of charging and discharging.

Tesla recommends limiting the Battery's full charge level to below 90% for Daily use and charging to 100% only if needed for a long Trip. A portion of the battery image may appear blue. This indicates that a small portion of the energy stored in the battery is not available because the battery is cold.

Tesla recommends you charge to 80% or less for daily driving. 100% is fine for occasional use if you're going on a long trip and need the extra range to reach your destination or the next supercharger.

What is the Recommended Charge Level for a Tesla Model 3? The Tesla Model 3 RWD's battery pack uses the LFP chemistry which Tesla recommends charging to 100% at least once per week. Tesla recommends setting the charge limit to 100% for daily use.

You can manually increase the charge limit after plugging in by using the vehicle touchscreen or Tesla app. Note: Charging speeds slow as the battery charges, so reaching 100% charge will typically take significantly longer than reaching 80%.