What does a battery for an electric car cost?

Batteries do not last forever, so what does it really cost to change batteries on an electric car? Get to know more about what an electric car battery costs right here.

Electric car battery

The key technical differences that distinguish an electric car from a car with an internal combustion engine are the electric motor itself and the battery pack. The battery pack that supplies power to the engine typically has a life expectancy of between eight and 10 years.

This means that the battery pack will be able to hold at least 80% of the original voltage, and give min. 80% of the original range, for eight to 10 years depending on make and model.

A technology under rapid development

The batteries are still under development. This means that if you bought an electric car eight years ago, then the capacity and thus the range is significantly less compared to a new model of the same car today.

Thus, if you want to sell your used electric car, or perhaps buy a used electric car, you are facing a double problem with the battery:

1. The car’s original battery capacity is superior to newer models.

2. The battery pack is getting old and the range will therefore start to deteriorate further.

Under those conditions, it can be difficult to sell your electric car at a proper price just as it can be difficult to convince yourself that a used electric car is a good buy. In that situation, it would be smart if one could swap the battery out for a reasonable price.

Can you “only” change the battery in an electric car?

Replacing the battery in an electric car is a significantly more complicated operation compared to replacing a regular car battery. The battery pack in an electric car is much larger and often located where it is difficult to get to it, for example at the bottom of the car. The location is chosen based on ensuring a good weight distribution more than that it should be easy to get to.

Replacing the battery pack in an electric car is not something the car manufacturers actually advertise with. This is probably due to the fact that replacement typically takes place in connection with a fault in the battery.

In addition, it is only now, after the modern electric cars with lithium batteries have been driving on the streets for about a decade, that a need to replace the batteries is beginning to emerge. Only now have modern electric cars reached an age where batteries are starting to lose voltage.

That said, it may be possible to have the battery pack changed at a workshop. As there are no standards in the field yet, it is probably a good idea to seek the help of a mechanic who is authorized to work specifically with that car brand.

Recommendation:

The Projecta Battery Charger range is one of the most comprehensive in the market. Safe, Fast performance & affordable.

What does the battery for an electric car cost?

Overall, the price of a battery for an electric car is related to three things: the battery’s technology, power, ie the number of kWh it can hold, and the number of cells in the battery pack.

As battery technology is constantly evolving, today there is a sea of ​​different battery packs. All developed in connection with a gradually large number of electric cars over the last about 10 years.

This means that the price also varies greatly depending on the brand, model, year and consequent battery in question. Therefore, it is difficult to give a clear answer as to what a battery for an electric car costs.

In addition, new battery packs for electric cars are not a “stock item”. It is not a spare part in the same way as a windshield or brake pads. The prices are therefore not easy to find either.

On the other hand, there have been some episodes where car manufacturers have replaced the battery pack, or offered to do so, for various reasons. From these examples, the following picture emerges.

For the cheaper electric cars, with a battery capacity of up to 44 kWh, there are examples that it costs around $10K to replace the battery.

What will a new battery for an electric car cost in the future?

It is impossible to say exactly what the battery pack for an electric car will cost. But as more electric cars hit the roads, the need to be able to change the batteries increases. Being able to change the batteries increases the life of the electric cars and strengthens the resale value.

As car buyers, we like to know that the car can be resold at some point. It can therefore potentially strengthen sales of electric cars if a system for replacing the battery pack has been established.

In addition, battery technology is getting cheaper and better. Therefore, there is hope that battery replacement in the future will be cheaper and more common than today.