If you have ever owned a Tesla, or any electric car as a matter of fact, the range is always a factor to consider while driving. Even if you don’t own an electric car you probably know that range plays a major role when it comes to making your decision when buying an electric car. Can we add batteries to double the range on a Tesla?

Yes, you indeed can. It is possible to add batteries to a Tesla to increase its range. By adding extra batteries, the overall range of the vehicle can be doubled in some cases. However, it is important to note that the process of adding batteries to a Tesla can be complicated and requires specialized knowledge and skills. Additionally, modifying a Tesla in this way may void the vehicle’s warranty and could potentially be unsafe if not done correctly. It is recommended that anyone interested in adding batteries to their Tesla consult with a qualified professional before making any modifications to the vehicle.

The range of electric cars has been improving constantly. At first electric cars had no more than just 100 Miles of range. Charging became very impractical because of how long it would take to charge up the car fully.

But thanks to recent research and Elon Musk, now there are advancements in the batteries that are used in Tesla today. Engineers have also made the batteries bigger to improve the range. But, even after that, charging is a big issue and it still takes quite a while to charge electric cars.

You might have also wondered. Why doesn’t just Tesla add extra batteries or put a bigger battery in the first place, to improve the range? Well, look no further for answers because in this article you will know everything you need to know.

However, it is important to note that the process of adding batteries to a Tesla can be complicated and requires specialized knowledge and skills. Additionally, modifying a Tesla in this way may void the vehicle’s warranty and could potentially be unsafe if not done correctly. It is recommended that anyone interested in adding batteries to their Tesla consult with a qualified professional before making any modifications to the vehicle.

How Much does it Cost to Add Batteries to a Tesla for Increased Range?

The cost of adding batteries to a Tesla for the increased range will vary depending on several factors, including the type of batteries being installed, the amount of additional range desired, and whether the installation is being done by a professional or DIY.

In general, the cost of adding batteries to a Tesla can range from a few thousand dollars up to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the specific circumstances.

That said, it is recommended that anyone interested in adding batteries to their Tesla consult with a qualified professional and carefully consider the potential costs and risks involved.

Why Does Tesla not Add a Bigger Battery to Improve Range?

The Tesla Model S standard comes with a 100 kWh battery, which gives it about 405 miles of range. Adding a bigger battery would most definitely increase the battery life.

Some other electric cars have bigger batteries like the lucid air, which has a range of up to 516 Miles and has a 118 kWh battery

So why does Tesla just not add bigger batteries to their cars? Here are the reasons why:-

Use
Expense

Practicality
Performance
The range does not increase at all

Use

There is a very specific reason all Teslas have a range higher than 200 miles. The average American drives 39 miles daily, according to the US Federal highway administration. Most people don’t even need to think about the range regularly

The range of between 200 – 300 Miles will suit most of the needs of the average consumer who uses electric cars daily.

Considering that, people can easily charge their car at night, which would give them about 100 Miles of range, and still have more than enough miles to cover for their usual commuting.

Most people only need to go on long road trips once or twice a year and during those trips, the EPA range is OK, because you need to charge for about only four or five times if you are going on a 1,000-mile road trip. It is very rare for someone to go for 300 Miles + or not stop for a break. Even so, the Tesla supercharging network is vast, and Tesla owners do not have to overthink where to stop and charge their cars.

Most EV and Tesla owners don’t need more range, they usually want faster charging and more charging locations.

The simple reason behind not adding extra batteries is simply because there is no need for it. Most people daily do not need more than 200 miles of range, which is already present.

Expense

Another main reason that Tesla does not make bigger batteries is simply that batteries cost a lot of money.

Keep this table as 2nd para in expenses
Here is a table to refer to

*(Prices according to 20/25/2023)
*(Trim level:- Standard/long range)

Model	Type	MSPR	EPA	Battery Size	Car Weight
Model S	Luxury Sedan	$104,990	405 Miles	100 kWh	4,766 lbs
Model X	Luxury SUV	$112,590	348 Miles	100 kWh	5,390 lbs
Model Y	SUV	$58,190	330 Miles	81 kWh	4,555 lbs
Model 3	Sedan	$40,390	272 Miles	50 kWh – 80 kWh	4,250 lbs

A simple 100kWh Battery costs around $13,700. Tesla already makes very expensive cars. The primary goal of Tesla is to make their electricity available and affordable to everyone.

If Tesla were to make bigger batteries for their electric cars, they would have to increase the cost of their cars. Moreover, the Model S and X share the same battery and Tesla makes these batteries in bulk amounts, changing anything would cause there be a lot of distribution in the manufacturing of the batteries.

It is said that lithium iodide batteries may become a lot cheaper in the coming years. But, still, Tesla will not add bigger batteries to help increase the range.

But all in all, just adding a small amount of range is not worth changing the whole factory system and adding additional costs.

Practicality

Even if Tesla were to add a bigger battery, it would take up a lot of space. Finding the space would also be an enormous challenge to keep in mind.

The more apparent spots would be to fill up the front trunk, to fill up some space from the rear trunk, or maybe even raise the car seats and add a bigger battery under the seats.

Adding more batteries will reduce the practicality of the car. The trunk size will decrease. The average customer will much rather prefer the trunk to be in full size than rather reduce the practicality all in all. If we add more space for batteries then the practicality will reduce very much.

A major selling point for Tesla is the practicality that it has to offer to its customers.

As we know, the extra range would not be of use. The average customer would much rather prefer the extra storage space than the extra range.

Performance

Another reason why Tesla just does not add batteries or add a bigger battery is that it will reduce performance.

Tesla is known for the extreme acceleration it has to offer. And a significant selling point for Tesla was the acceleration that it had to offer.
But if Tesla were to add more batteries or add a bigger battery, it would mean that the car’s weight would increase, which would drastically decrease the car’s acceleration. The battery counts for a lot of the weight of the car.

A lot of Tesla owners and customers do enjoy the instant torque that this car has to provide, if Tesla was to add a bigger battery into their cars, just for the sake of extra range, then that would just not be worth it.

Will the range increase?

But, even if Tesla was to add a bigger battery or add more batteries would that even add to the range? The simple answer is, No.

The concept of adding a bigger battery to make the range of the car increase does not work. You see, if you add a larger battery to the car, it will weigh more. Which will cause it to consume more power.

The battery itself weighs about ⅓ of the whole weight of the car.
Now you can figure that if you add a bigger battery it simply is not worth it because the range would not increase as much as you expect it to.

So for Tesla to add a bigger battery into their cars, it would be a very impractical idea, because they would not be able to increase the range; furthermore, they will also sacrifice the practicality and performance of their vehicles.

“Technically right now, for us to do, say a 500-mile range car, we could absolutely do that right now with current batteries. But the cost would be too high and the useful load impact on the vehicle would be too high. We would have to fill up part of the front trunk and the rear trunk with batteries, we’d have to pinch a little bit on passenger room, but for us to do a 500-mile range car would be no problem.”
-Elon Musk (CEO of Telsa)

What are the Downsides of having a Bigger Battery in an Electric Car?

Cost: A larger battery means more materials and manufacturing costs, which can increase the overall cost of the vehicle.
Weight: A larger battery can make the car heavier, which can impact its handling, acceleration, and braking performance. It can also reduce the range of the car due to increased energy consumption.
Space: A larger battery may take up more space in the car, which can limit passenger and cargo space.

Charging time: A larger battery takes longer to charge, which can be inconvenient for drivers who need to quickly recharge their car.
Environmental impact: The manufacturing of larger batteries can have a greater environmental impact due to the extraction and processing of materials, such as lithium and cobalt, which can have negative environmental and social consequences in the regions where they are mined.
End-of-life disposal: Larger batteries can be more difficult and expensive to dispose of safely and responsibly at the end of their useful life, which can have environmental and health implications if not handled properly.

Conclusion

Conclusion 1: You can Increase the Car’s Range by adding a Bigger Battery

All in all, in theory, yes you can increase the car’s range a little bit by adding a bigger battery, but in the end, it just won’t work out. Because the average person does not even need a longer range from their car because they do not have to commute for more than the range their cars already have.

The performance and practicality of the car both drop, and that is something that Tesla would not give up just to add a little bit of extra range.

After all, there is the hope of a better battery that helps increase the range without adding too much weight.

Conclusion 2: Cost to Add Batteries to a Tesla for Increased Range

In general, the cost of adding batteries to a Tesla can range from a few thousand dollars up to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the specific circumstances. In the end, most Tesla owners don’t even need more than 200 Miles of range, what most Tesla owners want are more charging stations and faster charging. So Tesla will not be adding bigger batteries to improve range, because it would not be worth it.

FAQ

Which Type of Battery is in Each Tesla?

Model S – 100 kWh
Model X – 100 kWh
Model Y – 81 kWh
Model 3 – 50 kWh – 80 kWh

What is the Starting Price of Each Tesla?

Model S – $104,990
Model X – $112,590
Model Y – $58,190
Model 3 – $40,390

How much Does it cost to Add Batteries to a Tesla?

The cost of a battery upgrade for a Tesla Model S or Model X ranged from $8,000 to $20,000, depending on the battery size and other factors such as the vehicle’s age and condition. For the Model 3 and Model Y, the cost of a battery upgrade ranged from $7,000 to $10,000 depending on the battery size and other factors. However, these prices are subject to change over time and may vary depending on the region and other factors. It’s best to check with Tesla for the most up-to-date pricing information.

Can We add Batteries to Double the Range on a Tesla?