Myth-Buster: Top 10 Tesla Myths Debunked
- Elena Cormio
- Apr 1
- 5 min read
Tesla has revolutionized the automotive industry, but often innovation brings a side-effect of misinformation. From exaggerated headlines to outdated assumptions, myths about Tesla vehicles persist. Let’s set the record straight by debunking the top 10 misconceptions about Tesla.
Myth 1: You Can’t Find Anywhere to Charge a Tesla
Reality:
On a typical day-to-day (e.g. not on a road trip), Tesla Owners charge at home. No need to find a gas station on the way to or from work - you start your day charged up already. On the road, Tesla’s Supercharger network is extensive and reliable. As of early 2025, Tesla reports over 68,000 Supercharger stalls globally, strategically placed along highways and in urban centers. The 2023 Tesla Impact Report notes a 99.97% uptime, powered by 100% renewable energy through onsite resources and annual matching. Owners can also charge at Tesla Destination Chargers available at hotels, restaurants, workplaces, retail locations, or third-party networks like Electrify America, Francis Energy, ChargePoint to name a few, all available to Tesla vehicles with adapters—hardly a scarcity of options.
Reference: Tesla, Inc. "2023 Impact Report." Tesla.com, May 2024. https://www.tesla.com/impact
Myth 2: Teslas Catch Fire All the Time
Reality:
Tesla vehicles are less prone to fires than gas cars. Tesla’s 2024 Impact Report data shows one fire per 130 million miles driven, compared to the National Fire Protection Association’s estimate of one fire per 19 million miles for gasoline vehicles. Lithium-ion batteries can ignite in severe crashes, but gas cars are 60 times more likely to catch fire per mile. Media amplifies Tesla incidents, but the data disproves the myth.
Reference: Tesla, Inc. "Vehicle Safety Report." Tesla.com, updated 2024. https://www.tesla.com/VehicleSafetyReport; National Fire Protection Association. "Vehicle Fire Trends and Patterns." NFPA.org, 2023.
Myth 3: Teslas Are More Expensive
Reality:
Teslas are competitively priced in each of their vehicle classes, and unlike other vehicles, long-term ownership is far more cost-effective.
Let's explore each vehicle class:
Compact Luxury Sedans
Tesla Model 3 | BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, Mercedes C-Class, etc. |
$42,000 - $55,000 with $7,500 federal tax credit (*) | $40,000 - $65,000 |
Compact Luxury SUV Crossovers
Tesla Model Y | BMW X3, Audi Q5, Mercedes GLC, Lexus NX, etc. |
$60,000 with $7,500 federal tax credit | $45,000 - $75,000 |
Large Luxury Sedans
Tesla Model S | Porsce Taycan, BMW 7 Series, Mercedes S-Class, Lexus LS, etc. |
$80,000 - $95,000 | $70,000 - $150,000+ |
Midsize Luxury SUV
Tesla Model X | BMW X5, Audi Q7, Rivian R1S, Mercedes GLE, Range Rover etc. |
$85,000 - $100,000 | $60,000 - $120,000+ |
(*) Some states may offer additional EV purchase credits.
MSRP as of April 1, 2025.
Cost of Ownership:
No gas and the reduced maintenance that comes from not having a combustion engine (fewer moving parts that needs to be maintained, no oil changes, etc.) result in significantly lower cost of ownership over time. On average, an EV is estimated to cost ~$480/year to run, vs ~$1,100 for gas cars.
Energy Sage, "EV vs. Gas Costs," 2024.
Myth 4: Tesla Batteries Die Quickly and Are Expensive To Replace
Reality:
Tesla batteries are durable. The 2023 Impact Report states they retain 90% capacity after 200,000 miles, with some Model S owners exceeding 500,000 miles on original packs, per Tesla’s fleet data. Replacement costs have fallen to $10,000-$15,000—comparable to gas engine rebuilds—after a decade or more. Proper maintenance and utilization also plays a factor in the durability of the battery.
Reference: Tesla, Inc. "2023 Impact Report." Tesla.com, May 2024; Recurrent. "Tesla Battery Degradation Study." RecurrentAuto.com, 2023.
Myth 5: Teslas Are Only for Rich Tech Bros
Reality:
Tesla’s customer base is very broad. A 2024 Bloomberg Intelligence survey found 45% of owners earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually. Texas and Florida lead US sales, not just California. In 2023, 60% of buyers were first-time EV owners across a variety of occupations. Model Y is the top selling car in the world for two years in a row.
Priced from $40,000, these models are accessible with EV tax credits, financing options, and low cost of ownership, broadening appeal beyond stereotypes. Consumer Reports surveys confirm diverse ownership.
Reference: Bloomberg Intelligence, "Tesla Owner Demographics," Sep 2024; Tesla, "Q4 2024 Sales Data," Jan 2025; Cox Automotive, "EV Buyer Trends," 2024.
Myth 6: Autopilot Is Dangerous
Reality:
Autopilot is overall safer than human driving when used correctly. Tesla’s Q4 2024 Safety Report shows one crash per 5.18 million miles with Autopilot vs. 1.35 million without, and compared to a U.S. average of one per 498,000 miles. Remember, autopilot does not text and drive, does not get tired, does not get distracted, does not road-rage, does not drink and drive - but it is a driver-assist feature at this time, not fully autonomous (YET!!), so driver diligence is very important.
Reference: Tesla, "Q4 2024 Vehicle Safety Report," Jan 2025; NHTSA, "Crash Statistics," 2024.
Myth 7: Teslas Perform Terribly in Cold Weather
Reality:
Tesla mitigates cold weather effects effectively thanks to its technology: preconditioning warms batteries and cabins remotely, and Superchargers function in subzero conditions. A 2023 Norwegian study found a 20-30% range drop in temperatures below 20°F—manageable and comparable to gas car efficiency losses in cold climates. Argonne National Laboratory’s 2022 tests show a 20–35% efficiency loss for gas cars below 20°F due to increased friction, denser air, and slower warm-up times. Cold weather affects all types of vehicles, and Teslas remain functional an competitive to its gas counterparts.
Reference: Norwegian Automobile Federation. "EV Performance in Winter." NAF.no, 2023; Tesla, Inc. "2023 Impact Report." Tesla.com, May 2024; DOE, "Cold Weather Fuel Economy," 2023; Argonne, "Cold Start Efficiency," 2022.
Myth 8: Tesla Build Quality Is Poor
Reality:
Tesla build quality earned a bad rep with early Model 3 issues (e.g., panel gaps), which have since been addressed, and Tesla has been producing vehicles rivaling mainstream brands, per J.D. Power’s 2024 quality metrics. Customer satisfaction scores reflect this upward trend: a 2025 Consumer Reports survey ranked Tesla above Ford and Chrysler for reliability. Owners of 2023+ models report 85% satisfaction with fit and finish.
Reference: J.D. Power. "2024 U.S. Initial Quality Study." JDPower.com, June 2024; Consumer Reports, "2025 Reliability Rankings," Feb 2025; Teslarati, "Owner Survey," Jan 2025.
Myth 9: Teslas Are Bad for the Environment
Reality:
EVs are cleaner overall, and outperform gas cars on lifetime emissions. A 2023 Union of Concerned Scientists study found a Model 3 emits less than half the CO2 of a comparable gas sedan, even with battery production factored in. Tesla recycles 95% of battery materials, per their 2024 report, reducing environmental impact. Even in coal-heavy regions, EVs win out.
Reference: Union of Concerned Scientists. "EV Emissions Analysis." UCSUSA.org, 2023; Tesla, Inc. "2024 Sustainability Report." Tesla.com.
Myth 10: Tesla Is Just a Fad That’ll Fade Away
Reality:
Tesla’s dominance endures. With over 7 million vehicles sold by 2025 and a market cap exceeding legacy automakers (Forbes, 2025), Tesla leads in EV tech and infrastructure. Tesla is so much more than a car manufacturer, too: its energy division—solar and Powerwalls—further solidifies its role, per Bloomberg’s 2024 analysis, not to mention the work in autonomy, robotics, and battery production.
Reference: Forbes. "Tesla Market Cap Update." Forbes.com, March 2025; Bloomberg. "Tesla’s Energy Business Growth." Bloomberg.com, December 2024.
Tesla myths stem from outdated information, sensationalism, and politically motivated narratives, but data tells a different story. Challenges exist—rural charging gaps and repair costs post-warranty—but the narrative of Tesla’s impracticality doesn’t hold up to reality. Next time someone spouts these myths, share the facts!
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