Offering luxury, advanced technology, superior range, and a private charging network, Tesla has become a household name. Nearly two of every three electric vehicles sold in the United States is a Tesla. So, why should you purchase one? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of ordering a Tesla.
Reasons for Buying a Tesla
Range and Fast Charging
Compared to other EVs, Teslas have superior range and charging capabilities. The base Model 3 has an EPA-rated range of 263 miles. On the other end of the price spectrum, the Model S has up to 400 miles or so of range.
Tesla also has a coast-to-coast Supercharger network. These stations provide up to 250 kW of charging power and can recharge a Tesla’s battery in as few as 20 minutes. Every Tesla knows where every Supercharger is located. It will tell you how busy it is before you get there and will guide you to the location using its navigation system
If you’re not near a Supercharger station, you can also take advantage of other public charging stations. However, while some public stations may offer 350 kW of charging power, many may provide less than a Supercharger. You may also want our road trip charging accessory kit so you have the correct adapter for public chargers.
Cost of Operation
The overall operating costs for a Tesla are minimal compared to those of an internal combustion vehicle. There are no oil or transmission fluid changes, belts, or spark plugs. In fact, there are far fewer moving parts in a Tesla than there are in an internal combustion engine alone.
While an internal combustion engine (ICE) can have more than 2000 moving parts inside it, Tesla claims there are fewer than 20 in their car’s drivetrains. Fewer parts means less can go wrong, and that’s exactly what happens in real life.
“Fuel” costs are significantly less, too. On average there is a charge of just 28 cents per kWh when you use a supercharger and that translated into a “fill-up costing around $12.00 - $13.00, about a quarter of what you’d pay for gasoline.
Because of this, you can drive 15,000 for just $555 in a Model S, as the charging cost works out to be about 4 cents per mile.
Technology
Teslas are known for their technology. Once you get into a Tesla, one of the first things you will notice is the large touchscreen on the dash. From this screen, you can control the infotainment system, HVAC, and even surf the internet or stream your favorite music and shows.
Tesla interiors have no buttons or knobs, providing a clean look. On top of this, everything can be controlled from your smartphone, including the windows, horn, valet mode, and vehicle tracking.
Need to take a break from driving for a bit? Tesla’s advanced suite of driver assistance systems, known as Autopilot, will take over the steering wheel while on the road. Autopilot will steer, accelerate, brake, and change lanes.
You can even summon your car to the front of the grocery store so that you don’t have to push the shopping cart across the parking lot.
Safety
Teslas have high safety ratings and have earned five stars in NHTSA, Australian ANCAP, and European NCAP testing. In fact, NHTSA testing found that passengers have a low chance of injury in an accident in a Tesla.
Teslas also have Sentry Mode, which records and detects external threats via cameras. The system constantly monitors the vehicle’s surroundings when not in use and acts as a home alarm system, and you can get a live view of what’s around your Tesla through the smartphone app.
Vehicle Performance
Whether you’re interested in Model S, Model 3, Model X or Model Y, every Tesla can be purchased in a performance model. Tesla’s renowned road-handling and suspension are available in every vehicle, but the performance version offers special capabilities for the driving enthusiast. Performance Teslas are amazingly quick, with zero to sixty times that crush every ICE sedan and many exotic sports cars. A Tesla Model S “Plaid” has a zero to 60 time of 1.9 seconds and a quarter mile time under 10 seconds, making it the fastest production car in the world.
Availability of Tesla Accessories
Whether you’re just driving around town or are on a long road trip, you can customize your Tesla to suit your tastes and needs. There are a wide array of aftermarket Tesla accessories available on the market, such as pet seat covers, all-weather floor mats, and LED lighting.
Planning on going camping? You can even purchase an inflatable mattress to fit in the back of your Tesla, so you can sleep comfortably in a climate-controlled interior.
Don't let range anxiety keep you from having a weekend away from home. We offer a Road Trip Charging Accessory kit with several common adapters and plugs so you can take advantage of whatever charging stations that may be along your road trip route!
Why You Shouldn’t Buy a Tesla
Pricing
The upfront cost of a Tesla may be shocking to some shoppers, especially as there are less expensive EVs available on the market. As of January 2023 the Model 3 starts at $43,990, while the top-of-the-line Model X SUV costs more than $119,990.
However, while the $7,500 federal tax credit has run out for new Teslas, state governments may offer as much as $2,500 in tax credits, helping reduce the initial purchase cost of a Tesla.
Maintenance and Insurance Costs
While there may be no oil changes, Teslas are not immune to problems. If something goes wrong, such as an electronic door latch or a faulty touchscreen, you could have to fork over $1,000 for the repair. Now that more Teslas are on the road with higher miles, we've learned that control arms can be a common issue with Tesla cars and we have added Tesla replacement control arms to our site for purchase. Later down the road, you may also have to replace the battery, which can cost up to $16,000. However, Tesla batteries come with an eight year/150,000-mile warranty.
With these high repair costs come potentially high insurance premiums. Some insurance companies may even classify Teslas as luxury vehicles, raising insurance premiums even more. Owners with good driving records, though, may be able to get Tesla’s own insurance coverage, which can offer lower premiums than those of other insurance companies.
Cons aside, overall Teslas have a lot to offer with their incredible range, technology, and fast charging. They can suit any buyer, from the office commuter to the road tripper to the performance enthusiast.
With a selection of premium aftermarket accessories, EVannex can help you personalize your new Tesla. The family-run business offers items such as wheel locks, carbon fiber trim pieces, road trip charging kits, floor mats, Wheel Bands™, and more. If you’re searching for the right Tesla accessories, EVannex is your source.
Browse Our Products Below
- Tesla Model 3 accessories
- Tesla Model Y accessories
- Tesla Model S accessories
- Tesla Model X accessories
