Is it better to charge a Tesla to 80% or 90%?
3 Answers
Tesla vehicles can be charged to either 80% or 90%. Below is additional information: Tesla is a pure electric vehicle manufacturer from Silicon Valley, USA, and all its models are pure electric vehicles. Tesla's models include: Model 3, Model X, Model S, Model Y, etc. Introduction to the Model 3: The Model 3 is an entry-level model from Tesla, a pure electric mid-size sedan. The Model 3 has a wheelbase of 2875 mm, with length, width, and height measuring 4694 mm, 1850 mm, and 1443 mm, respectively. The Model 3 is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions. The rear-wheel drive version is a single-motor model, while the all-wheel drive version is a dual-motor model. The rear-wheel drive version's motor has a maximum power of 202 kW and a maximum torque of 375 Nm. The all-wheel drive version's motors have a combined power of 340 kW and a combined torque of 639 Nm. This car uses a ternary lithium battery, which is commonly used in most pure electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Ternary lithium batteries have higher energy density and are lighter in weight. The positive electrode of a ternary lithium battery is made from ternary materials. The Tesla Model 3 features a double-wishbone independent suspension at the front and a multi-link independent suspension at the rear. The double-wishbone suspension helps reduce body roll and minimizes brake dive. The multi-link suspension is an improved version of the double-wishbone suspension, where the two wishbones are replaced with separate links.
I've been driving a Tesla Model S for five years, commuting daily, and I'm used to charging it only up to 80%. Why? Because charging to 100% accelerates battery aging, just like with smartphones—over time, the capacity diminishes. An 80% charge is more than enough for daily use; it can easily last a full day of city driving and helps extend battery life, saving you from the hefty cost of a battery replacement. The Tesla app allows you to set a charging limit, conveniently capping it at 80%. Occasionally, for long trips, I'll charge up to 90% or 100%, but only for emergencies. In practice, after over two years, my battery health remains above 95%. I recommend new owners start with the 80% habit—90% is too close to full capacity and isn't battery-friendly in the long run.
As an urban office worker commuting about 50 kilometers daily, charging to 80% is the most reasonable. 80% charge can cover my three-day usage needs, avoiding frequent charging that wastes time. In comparison, charging to 90% wastes an extra 10% of time at charging stations, especially since supercharging slows down significantly above 80%. Regarding the battery, frequently charging to full capacity accelerates degradation, and once problems occur, repairs are prohibitively expensive, impacting the family budget. I use the Tesla App to set an automatic upper limit, locking it at 80% for daily use and only adjusting to 90% for weekend trips. Data shows that charging to 80% maintains the car's health better, saving money and being more efficient, while 90% offers no real advantage and adds risks.
