Tesla is undoubtedly the best electric car brand on the market. But before spending lots of your hard-earned cash to buy a Tesla, you need to know its pros and cons. Before we look at Tesla’s pros, what are some of the disadvantages of owning a Tesla?
Tesla has several setbacks which include a high initial cost, high repair cost, battery degradation, lacking interior, lack of service centers, battery degradation, low towing capacity, and high insurance premium. However, it’s a good idea to weigh the pros and cons before making up your mind on whether to buy or not.
Here are some of the Tesla disadvantages
- High initial cost
The main setback of Tesla cars is their initial price. That’s why Elon Musk promised to build Tesla cars that will cost at least $25,000. At the moment, the cheapest Tesla costs about $41,000, which is quite high.
- Lack of service center
Another challenge that Tesla car owners face is the lack of service centers. Yes, Tesla may have service centers around the country, but they are not evenly distributed like other major car brands. Besides, Tesla service centers take a long to respond or schedule maintenance.
- High repair cost
Even though Tesla is more reliable than mainstream luxury brands like Mercedes and BMW, the car can expensive to repair than even traditional car brands. This is because if you get into an accident, you may have to pay a lot of money to have the car repaired. For instance, a simple dent will cost you over $7,000.
- High insurance premium
Due to the high cost of repair and maintenance, together with it being unreliable, Tesla’s insurance premiums are somewhat higher. Therefore, you should be ready to pay above the industry average to have your Tesla insured.
- Battery degradation
Another major disadvantage of owning a Tesla is that the battery degrades after some time. As a result, you will lose range and also you will be required to purchase a new battery. This is more rampant in colder areas where the battery degrades faster.
- Longer repair time
If your car has an issue and you have to visit the Tesla service center, you may have to wait for days or even months to have it repaired. Despite Tesla increasing its sales and car production, there are limited Tesla service centers.
- Quite dangerous
Like most all-electric cars, Tesla is also quiet in operation, which can be dangerous to the driver and other motorists. Since another driver won’t hear the car approaching unless they are seeing it, an accident can happen at any time.
- Lackluster interior
When you compare Tesla to other luxury car brands like Mercedes-Benz, you will find that Tesla’s interior is slightly lacking. So, if you desire a more luxurious and comfortable interior, Tesla is not the solution.
- Low towing capacity
If you love towing things at the back of your car, Tesla is not a good choice. This is because it has a low towing capacity. The only Tesla model with a good towing capacity is the Tesla Cybertruck.
- Poor build quality
Tesla may be popular for its technology, but it has poor build quality. Buyers have in the past complained about panel gaps, paint problems, and rattles. These may force you to return the car to the manufacturer to correct the issues.
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- Tire wear out faster
Since Teslas are made up of battery packs, these cars are quite heavy. As a result, you may have to change tires after a few miles.
What are the advantages of owning a Tesla?
- Beautiful car
Tesla produces some of the most beautiful vehicles in the market. Thanks mainly due to their minimalistic design that makes them appealing to many car lovers.
- Well-spread supercharger stations
One of the biggest selling points of Tesla is that they have well-spread supercharger stations across the world. This means that people who love to travel won’t be stranded along the way as they can easily recharge their cars.
- Low depreciation value
There are many luxurious vehicles that drop almost 20% in value when they drive off the showroom. A good example is a BMW. However, this is not the case with Tesla as even a used Tesla will cost a lot.
- Fuel cost savings
Unlike ICE cars, Tesla doesn’t require fuel to run. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about the cost of fuel rising or falling, or even lining up at the pump.
- Quieter operation
Unlike gasoline-powered cars, Teslas are very quiet in operation, meaning that you won’t be bothered by noise as you drive home.
- Vehicle safety
When it comes to safety, Tesla is among the safest cars on the market. A huge part of this is because of the autopilot function that Tesla offers.
- Advanced infotainment system
Tesla boasts of one of the most advanced infotainment systems on the market. Every Tesla comes with a big screen that makes operating their advanced cars easy.
- Self-driving technology
This is one of the features that makes Tesla distinguish itself from other advanced vehicles. The self-driving feature makes driving this car to be fun and safe at the same time.
FAQ
Are electric cars eco-friendly?
When compared to ICE cars, electric cars are eco-friendly. This is because they do not use gasoline that produces carbon dioxide, which ends up polluting the environment. Therefore, electric cars can help to achieve cleaner air and fewer greenhouse gases.
Is it true that electric car owners get a tax credit?
Original owners of Tesla or other fully-electric cars can get credit on their tax returns just for possessing a car that is good for the environment. However, you need to know the fine print that comes with such tax situations. Nonetheless, you may get up to $7,500 in credit in some states.
Why do people love Teslas even with its shortcomings?
Tesla may have several setbacks but this doesn’t mean that it’s a bad car. Overall, the advantages of Tesla outweigh the disadvantages. Besides, most people love Tesla because of its high-end technology, self-driving feature, and outstanding range. On top of that, Tesla has an excellent supercharger network.
Bottom line
Before you buy a Tesla, it’s crucial to find out its pros and cons. This will help you to make an informed choice and see whether you can deal with the disadvantages that Teslas come with. Some of the main setbacks of Tesla motors include high initial cost, battery degradation, high insurance premiums, and longer repair time.
All in all, if you compare the advantages and disadvantages of Tesla, you will find that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
