It actually is possible to determine. Don’t have to go to Tesla or really depend on them at all for initial determination.
For a 2018/2019AWD, depending on one’s interpretation of initial capacity (76kWh vs (actual) ~78kWh), the 30% loss threshold is met at:
217 rated miles (217rmi*245Wh/rmi/76kWh = 70%)
or
223 rated miles (223rmi*245Wh/rmi/~78kWh = 70%)
Just wait for those numbers at 100% and then contact Tesla.
Obviously the initial value has some importance but it is not huge. It really is ~78kWh though (that is what SMT and the EPA say!).
In any case if you’re already at 220 rated miles at 100% (AWD 2018/2019 only) then you’re definitely going to get a claim unless you are super high mileage (you’ve still got a lot of time under warranty to get below the 217 rmi threshold and no reason to think you won’t if you’ve already lost 90 miles in 2 years).
Let me
Rephrase that: I think it is very easy to determine also, but exact pack capacity is also secret when you ask them.
In short: read exact warranty about it, it clearly states -only Tesla- can say/prove if they deem
It -30%
(also read other responds below)
Isn’t that the problem though? Tesla could claim whatever they want on initial capacity, since all 3rd party tools to measure capacity are “unofficial” even if reading from the CAN bus, and there is high variability anyway between packs so it’s really hard to tell.
The most likely scenario is that Tesla will say it’s based on miles, e.g. 310 RM is the 100% max when new so take 30% deg from that and you have to hit 217 and lower to make a claim.
Of course, we think 310 is an artificial UI cap at first, so there is actually more RM to start with, which hides some initial degradation, giving Tesla a pass for another few % beyond the 30% they guarantee.
Given deg curves, we lose the most up front, then it’s pretty slow over the years/miles. So I highly doubt many at all will hit Tesla’s 30% deg definition within the warranty period.
That’s exactly a part of the problem! Let me give our car as example:
Highest rated miles it ever had (first week) was only 369km (which is 229 miles of the 240..!) at that point I already made an appointment, because I knew other people were indeed starting at 240/240mi...
Tesla literally told me “if you started at 229mi and it’s “only” down to 206 rated, you gerting -30% is different, because actual pack capacity isn’t made public or advertised”
Only we at Tesla can determine that at our own will. If the battery stops working it will automatically give an error on your screen...
I guess it depends on your definition of “problem.” I feel like 2% on top of 30% is kind of splitting hairs. Obviously it could matter for a few unlucky people in 6 years who JUST miss the warranty threshold.
My point was that anyone can tell exactly how much energy their pack can hold - they don’t need to ask Tesla! Everyone knows the approximate status of their pack. It is right there on the screen - nothing is hidden!
The only thing that is in dispute (and it is a minor issue!) is the initial capacity. Just not that much of an issue....
I feel like an AWD user with 220 rated miles after 2 years is going to likely have a pretty solid claim with Tesla in the near future!
Again; that is not my experience unfortunately, Tesla will try and ghost me, talk about losing kWh because climate isn’t accounted in energy use, energy hold back by the car, temp. imbalance, cold weather, too hot weather, tyre pressure... Basically every other “range” aspect they spam you with, and disregard my teribble battery capacity.
My 100% to -0% capacity (at ideal weather and flat road) and 60-65mph is 44.4 kWh useable. It’s actually just under 40kWh with a 90% charge.
Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s easy to determine Pack capacity also, but try and explain service center why/how you determined capacity and they give you all sorts of reasons why that’s invalid. (even when doing a trip without stopping, ideal weather, ideal speed, flat road from full to near zero, without forgetting to also preheat for 3-4hours!)
for context: I am a trained (ex) car mechanic, at some point almost started to work for Tesla as a mechanic. I also build my own electric moped and programmed BMS and such (and I have ScanMyTesla also). So I have been in most cases more informed then the mechanic that sometimes also came to me about the capacity. (Always seems I was better informed in how stuff works)