August 11, 2021 -However, typically, the Tesla 12V battery tends to go unnoticed until you can't start your Tesla.
evgoforth.com
So the 12V battery in my Tesla must be lithium-ion like my high volt battery, right? NOPE! Much like that of a gas-powered car, your Tesla has a lead-acid 12V battery (minus the refreshed 2021 S & X). What’s the difference between these two?
For starters, lead-acid batteries are far cheaper than lithium-ion batteries up front, but over the course of the batteries’ lifetime, lithium-ion batteries make far more sense.
Not only that, but lead batteries have a limited cycle life. Lead batteries are good for about 500 to 1000 cycles as the best deep cycle. If you’re frequently tapping into your battery bank, that could mean that your batteries may need a replacement in less than two years.
In fact, Tesla had a reoccurring issue with its 12-volt batteries. Many in the community have seen their 12-volt batteries die on them with no warning sign whatsoever which could cause you to be locked out of your vehicle and essentially stranded.
Elon did address that they would be solving this by giving customers a heads up when their 12-volt battery is going to die, but that doesn’t address the problem and how to resolve it until their most recent 2021 Model S and X refresh. In fact, in an interview with Sandy Monroe, Elon did acknowledge that in their new refreshed vehicles for Model S and X 2021, and probably later, they’re going to be changing their 12-volt battery to a lithium-ion battery.
This means more capacity, more cycles. Essentially, your battery shouldn’t need to be changed quite nearly as often and should essentially last the same amount of time as your main battery pack. So if you drive a Tesla that is older than the new 2021 Model S or X, most likely, your 12-old battery is going to need to be replaced soon.
insideevs.com
electrek.co
teslanorth.com
