Australian Tesla clocks up 800,000 kms, and the savings are still huge

The owner of a 2018 Tesla Model S that has already set records for longevity and range has clocked up a new milestone – 800,000 kms, after adding another 100,000 kms in the 12 months since we last reported on him.

The Driven first reported on the achievements of Nigel Raynard in July, 2021, when the odometer on his Model S passed the 400,000 km mark, already a huge milestone with the original brake pads lasting much longer than most ICE vehicles.

Last year, we noted that he had reached 700,000 kms, and this week Raynard – the owner of a Byron Bay-based limousine service – announced that he had reached 800,000 kms.

It has had one change of its 75 kWh battery pack  – at 666,666 kms, under warranty – but says it drives like new. Raynard told The Driven the only problems now are ones that are testing Tesla engineers because they have never encountered them before – such as a blower fan for the aircon.

“The Model S is at the point where anything that fails is a first for the Tesla techs,” he says.

He now owns a Model 3 Performance (145,000 kms), a Model Y performance (160,000 kms), a Model 3 Highland (36,000 kms), and just added a 2019 Model X, still with an eight year, unlimited kilometre warranty.

Raynard says the Model S has saved the business around $20,000 a year in fuel and maintenance, so has basically paid for itself, and it is still worth a lot of money.

He is still on the second set of brake pads – the original pads at the front were changed at 460,000 and the rear at 770,000 kms. (Tesla EVs are light on brakes because much is done through regenerative braking that puts charge back into the electric motors).

“The fronts have plenty left,” he says. Purchased in 2018, the $20,000 a year over six years has saved the small business $120,000 in fuel and maintenance.