Battery life is a common concern for people considering a used electric car. This August 2026 article discussed a Swedish used-car marketplace’s analysis of nearly 10,000 diagnostic tests carried out between 2022 and 2026. It reported generally high remaining capacity around 100,000 km. The study’s identity, methodology and variant matching still need checking before treating the figures as a controlled comparison.
Nearly 10,000 diagnostic tests
The report cited 9,954 tests on Swedish-registered EVs and compared battery state of health at about 100,000 km. The leading entries it listed were:
- Kia e-Niro 64 kWh: 97.25% reported remaining capacity.
- Hyundai Kona Electric 64 kWh: 97.18%.
- Kia EV6 77.4 kWh: 95.95%.
Five Tesla entries were said to appear in the top 20. A ranking of diagnostic estimates is not the same as a warranty, a failure-rate study or proof of identical test conditions for every model.
Model 3 with an LFP battery
The highest Tesla entry described was a Model 3 Standard Range with a CATL lithium iron phosphate battery, ranked eighth at a reported average 93.34% capacity around the comparison mileage.
Other Tesla entries listed were:
- Model 3 Long Range with LG Chem NMC cells: 92.83%.
- Model S: 92.80%.
- Model X: 92.52%.
- Model Y Long Range with LG Chem cells: 92.18%.
These reported averages were encouraging, but did not mean every older Tesla retained at least 92%. Age, mileage, pack variant and diagnostic method all affected the comparison.
Comparing battery chemistries
The article interpreted the results as favourable to LFP. Its separate Model 3 chemistry table, reproduced below, used different variant groupings from the preceding model list—hence the LG percentage differs. Without the original methodology, that difference should not be mistaken for a directly matched chemistry experiment.
| Battery supplier/version | Chemistry | Reported remaining capacity around 100,000 km |
|---|---|---|
| CATL | LFP | 93.3% |
| LG Chem | NMC | 91.5% |
| Panasonic 77.8 kWh | NCA | 89.8% |
| Panasonic 52.4 kWh | NCA | 88.2% |
LFP has characteristics associated with long cycle life, but frequent charging to 100% is not an unrestricted recommendation for every pack or situation. Follow the charge limit and calibration guidance shown by the specific vehicle. Chemistry is only one influence on ageing, and a diagnostic ranking does not isolate it from all other factors.
What used-car buyers can take from the figures
The original article assumed annual driving of 20,000–25,000 km, meaning several years to reach 100,000 km; actual mileage varies widely. A useful used-car assessment combines a battery-health check with age, warranty, charging history and the vehicle’s condition. Temperature, prolonged storage near empty or full and charging behaviour can affect ageing. DC fast charging is not by itself proof of damaging use, and broad rules should not replace the manufacturer’s guidance.
Battery durability in perspective
Battery management and cell technology have improved, and substantial remaining capacity after years of use is possible. The figures discussed here support interest in checking real used-vehicle data, but they do not establish that every Tesla battery will outlast the rest of the car. An individual battery’s health and usable range still need assessment rather than prediction from a fleet average.
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