Wondering if the electric car battery replacement cost will dig a hole in your pocket?
Whether you’re an experienced owner or considering switching to EV ownership, understanding battery replacement costs can save you time and money.
Read on to take a detailed look at the costs involved and how to ensure you get the most out of your EV battery.
This Article Contains:
- How Much Does an Electric Car Battery Cost?
- 4 Factors that Affect Replacement Costs
- 8 Solid Tips to Boost Electric Car Battery Life
- How Do Electric Batteries Work?
- What Are the Different Types of Electric Car Batteries?
How Much Does an Electric Car Battery Cost?
An electric car battery cost can range between $6,000 to over $20,000. The bulk of that cost goes to the new battery while the labor charge should be about $850 to $2,000.
Here are the replacement battery pack prices of some popular electric cars:
- Tesla Model S: $20,000 to $22,000
- Tesla Model Y: Around $15,000
- Tesla Model 3: Around $15,800
- BMW i3: Around $16,000
- Chevy Bolt: Around $16,250
Fortunately, battery pack prices are expected to fall below $100/kWh by 2027, a milestone widely regarded as achieving price parity with internal combustion vehicles.
Now that we’ve looked at the expected electric car battery replacement costs, let’s dive into the factors that can influence them.
4 Factors that Affect Replacement Costs
Here are some things that can affect how much your electric car battery replacement will cost.
- Make and model: More affordable electric cars like the Chevrolet Bolt, Nissan Leaf, or the BMW i3 tend to have smaller batteries that cost less to replace. Larger or long-range vehicles like the Tesla Model S, Tesla Model Y, and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 have bigger batteries, translating into longer battery life and a higher replacement cost.
- Battery pack type and capacity: Some EV manufacturers use a modular battery pack design, meaning certain parts can be replaced without having to install a whole new battery pack. This helps reduce the battery cost and labor charge.
- Refurbished batteries: Remanufactured or refurbished batteries can be a more cost-effective alternative, helping to lower the overall electric car battery cost. While some third-party companies specialize in refurbishing electric vehicle batteries, they’re few and far between. However, as EV sales continue to rise, this will likely change.
Note: Electric vehicles must have an eight-year or 100,000-mile battery warranty covering the electric motor and a new battery. The battery warranty also covers premature degradation. So, if the battery falls below a certain level within the warranty period, the EV manufacturers will replace it at no charge.
After knowing what influences the replacement cost, let’s review practical tips to extend the lifespan of your electric car battery.
8 Solid Tips to Boost Electric Car Battery Life
Electric car batteries tend to last between 10 and 20 years, but certain actions can increase battery degradation.
Check out a few ways to prevent that and extend battery life.
1. Avoid Extreme Temperatures
Most EVs perform optimally around 80°F. Temperatures above this can accelerate the chemical reaction, affecting battery life.
Similarly, frigid temperatures can slow down the chemical reaction inside the EV battery pack, temporarily lowering its capacity. You may also notice your car charging slower or not charging at all.
Fortunately, many electric cars have thermal management systems to keep batteries comfortable, but they can use a lot of energy. As such, try parking your car under cover where possible to protect it from extreme temperatures.
2. Limit DC Fast Charging
DC fast charging is the quickest method to power up your EV battery pack. It’s usually available at a public charging station and allows EV drivers to charge their vehicles up to 80% in around 30 minutes. However, this can put extra stress on the electric vehicle battery and reduce its lifespan.
It’s best to avoid using it as your primary charging method.
3. Avoid Complete Charging
Generally, you should only charge your electric car to 100% before long trips. For everyday use, aim to keep the electric vehicle battery charge between 20% and 80% to manage battery demand more efficiently with your charger.
A good way to do that is to utilize your car’s charge schedule feature, which allows you to set specified times for your vehicle to start and stop charging.
4. Allow the Battery to Cool Before Charging
Before charging, make sure the battery has had time to cool down, particularly after a long drive or a hot day. To reduce battery wear and manage EV battery replacement costs, you should aim for a charging temperature of around 75°F. This helps ensure the battery charges safely and efficiently, minimizing the risk of overheating.
5. Precondition Your Car
Preconditioning your electric car allows it to warm up or cool down with electricity from the power grid instead of draining the vehicle’s battery. This keeps your battery at a healthy temperature when charging, which is crucial in hot summers and cold winters. It ultimately helps reduce the need for battery replacement.
6. Drive Smoothly
Aggressive driving, like hard acceleration and high speeds, can cause rapid discharge and heat buildup. This behavior can accelerate battery degradation.
7. Take Care of Your Tires
It’s always a good idea to check your tire pressure about once a month. Underinflated tires can increase battery demand, resulting in a drop of around 0.2% in mileage for every PSI under the recommended tire pressure. Overinflated tires can also be problematic for EV drivers by increasing the rate of wear, leading to high costs over time.
Similarly, you should also ensure your wheels are properly aligned. Misaligned wheels increase wear and affect battery capacity, potentially reducing your overall range by up to 10%. If you feel the car pulling to one side when driving or braking hard, it’s a good indicator that your wheels are out of alignment and might eventually necessitate an EV battery replacement.
8. Keep Your Battery Optimally Charged for Storage
Whether you should leave your electric vehicle plugged in and charging depends on the automakers. Some recommend leaving your car unplugged when away for long periods, while others suggest plugging it in. To be sure and to avoid increasing the total cost of maintenance, double-check with your automaker’s recommendations in the owner’s manual.
It’s worth noting that most EVs have two batteries: a high-voltage one that powers your car and a 12-volt battery to power the accessories. Certain systems constantly draw power from the 12-volt one. To avoid additional wear during storage, either unplug it or connect it to a trickle charger.
Note: Unplugging it is the best option if you’re away for more than 30 days.
Now you know how to extend your electric car battery life and reduce the battery replacement cost.
But do you know how these batteries work?
Keep scrolling to find out!
How Do Electric Batteries Work?
While combustion engines burn petrol or diesel for power, electric vehicles get their power from a lithium-ion battery packed with thousands of lithium-ion cells. When you drive, the battery discharges as these electrons move from one electrode to the other, generating a current that powers the electric motor.
When you recharge your car, these electrons flow in the opposite direction. However, this continuous cycle of charging and discharging eventually reduces the battery capacity.
The electric car motor and battery also act as generators, meaning they convert the kinetic energy (forward motion) generated during braking back into electricity.
Next, let’s explore the different types of batteries used in electric vehicles.
What Are the Different Types of Electric Car Batteries?
Here are the four types of electric car batteries you’ll find in the market:
- Lithium-ion: Most electric cars today use a lithium-ion battery. They’re known for high energy efficiency, high-temperature performance, and low self-discharge but tend to have a higher total cost.
- Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH): NiMH batteries are most often found in plug-in hybrid and hybrid vehicles, like the Toyota Prius. Their drawbacks include a higher average cost, a faster self-discharge rate, and heat generation at higher temperatures, making them less advanced than newer battery technology.
- Lead-acid: Although lead-acid batteries are reliable and have a low average cost, they’re one of the older types used in EVs. Lead-acid batteries are typically used for auxiliary functions, like powering the lights or infotainment systems.
- Ultracapacitors: Also called supercapacitors, these batteries can quickly deliver high amounts of power, making them useful for acceleration and hill climbing. Since they can’t hold much energy, this battery technology is mostly useful for regenerative braking systems. Ultracapacitors can also have a higher average cost to replace.
Resolve Battery Issues with AutoNation Mobile Service
EV ownership comes with numerous benefits over a traditional car. But if you’re worried about EV battery pack prices, don’t be!
Most batteries last around a decade, and although battery prices remain on the higher side, the EV battery replacement cost should fall in the coming years.
And if you need help maintaining traditional lead-acid battery-driven cars contact AutoNation Mobile Service.
We’re a mobile auto repair solution offering upfront pricing and a 12-month, 12,000-mile warranty on all repairs.
Contact us to get any auto repair service done right from your driveway.