Tesla Model S becomes first electric vehicle to reach 3,000,000 km
On September 30, 2026, a 2013 Tesla Model S owned by German Hansjorg von Gemmingen-Hornberg crossed the 3,000,000-kilometer threshold, becoming the first electric vehicle in the world to reach that distance. According to reporting from PiataAuto.md, the milestone underscores significant longevity figures for both the vehicle’s battery and electric motor systems despite extensive early mechanical challenges.
Early Motor Replacements and Upgrades
The vehicle is an early-production rear-wheel-drive Model S equipped with the large drive unit, commonly known as the LDU. This specific motor configuration drew frequent complaints from early owners due to sealing vulnerabilities that allowed cooling antifreeze to leak into the stator area and cause short circuits.
Because von Gemmingen-Hornberg owned the car since new, the recurring motor failures resulted in 13 replacements during the initial years of operation. The mechanical pattern shifted when Croatian service provider EV Clinic engineered reinforced replacement components designed to prevent fluid leaks. At the 1,800,000-kilometer mark, the vehicle received these modified parts, which eliminated the recurring failure mode. Consequently, the current electric motor has run for 1,200,000 kilometers in its updated configuration, requiring only four gear oil changes in its associated reducer, as reported by the owner to PiataAuto.md.
Battery Longevity and Charging Discipline
The car’s current high-voltage battery represents a rare milestone in electric vehicle endurance. Although Tesla replaced three earlier battery packs under warranty during the car’s early lifespan, the current pack was purchased new by von Gemmingen-Hornberg and installed 1,242,000 kilometers ago.
This battery’s survival past the 1,242,000-kilometer threshold stems from a strict charging and operational regimen. Von Gemmingen-Hornberg charges the vehicle almost exclusively at home using a 22-kilowatt garage supply, typically limiting capacity replenishment to between 85 and 90 percent. While the vehicle qualifies for lifetime free Supercharging under an early Tesla incentive program, fast-charging sessions are kept to a minimum to preserve pack health.
Daily Driving Routine and Mileage Accumulation
Maintaining the record-breaking vehicle requires a demanding schedule of daily highway driving across Germany. Von Gemmingen-Hornberg conducts three to four driving sessions daily, frequently starting the first run before morning traffic and early coffee before returning home for vehicle charging and personal breaks.
Having a financial background that removes the requirement for a traditional job allows the owner to dedicate substantial time to distance accumulation. Over recent years, the annual mileage has exceeded 400,000 kilometers, averaging more than 1,000 kilometers per day. PiataAuto.md journalists tracked the vehicle’s progress across multiple milestones, recording 1,900,000 kilometers in November 2023, 2,150,000 kilometers in September 2024, and 2,400,000 kilometers in May 2025.