By Rob Hull
Updated: 04:18 AEDT, 10 October 2024
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Is one of your big concerns about switching to an electric car based on fears the batteries need to be replaced after a short amount of time as a result of degradation and at an astronomical cost?
If so, it might put your mind at ease to know there are 309 Teslas currently in use in Britain with more than 200,000 miles on the clock - and more than 5,300 have covered in excess of 100,000.
But this pales in comparison to what's believed to be the highest-mileage example in Britain.
Worried about the longevity of EV batteries? There are Teslas on the road in the UK that have accumulated incredibly high mileage
Official figures held by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) shows there's a Model S that's being driven around with almost 700,000 on its odometer.
This is based on mileage data recorded at the time of MOTs.
The UK-registered Tesla, which has clocked 697,744 miles at its last annual check-up, has already covered the equivalent of theoretically driving around the world 28 times, says LeaseLoco, which analysed the DVSA stats.
The highest-mileage UK-registered Tesla is a Model S that's clocked 697,744 miles. That's the equivalent of theoretically driving around the world 28 times
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This is Money believes the high-mileage Model S is likely a taxi or private hire vehicle used for airport runs, which explains its monumental use.
'The fact that a Tesla in the UK has clocked 700,000 miles is a testament to the durability and longevity of electric vehicles,' John Wilmot, chief executive of LeaseLoco.
'It's incredible to think that, just a decade after the Model S first hit UK roads, several Teslas have surpassed half-a-million miles. This milestone shows that with proper care and maintenance, EVs can go the distance, making an electric car a smart choice for those considering a new car.'
Wilmot adds that despite the ongoing concerns about battery life, most electric car owners won't have to worry about this until way into the future.
However, he says there are still hurdles in the way that are preventing consumers making the switch to an electric.
'The more immediate issue is charging their EVs while on the road,' he told us.
'EV owners aren't just dealing with range anxiety - the fear of running out of power without finding a charging point in time.
'They're also experiencing charge anxiety - the uncertainty of whether a charging station will be available and functioning when they need it.
'If we want to see a mass transition to EVs within the next decade, these anxieties must be addressed.
'Electric car owners need confidence that there will be enough reliable charging points to ensure they never run out of battery, and that these stations will be operational and available when they need them.'
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