Here’s How Much It Costs To Replace A Tesla Battery

Teslas don’t have many maintenance expenses; unless they need a new battery.

• Aging Tesla models are showing hidden costs like battery replacements after warranty expiry, which can be a real concern for EV owners.
•  There are inconsistencies in Tesla’s battery lifespan, with factors such as climate conditions, usage patterns, and charging habits affecting battery longevity.
•  Battery degradation occurs gradually over time, leading to less energy storage and decreased driving range, but steps like limiting charging range and avoiding fast charging can prolong battery lifespan.

As the dust for all-out electrification settles, the real pros and cons of EVs are being uncovered. Teslas have become incredibly common on the roads of the United States and some owners firmly believe that they are the way forward. However, aging models have begun showing that hidden costs like battery replacements exist and can be a real worry for EV owners after their vehicle’s battery warranty has expired.

Now, there seems to be a bit of a gray area in the lifespan of Tesla batteries as mileage before replacement varies from case to case. That being said, in this article, we are going to explore the information available, and tips that will prolong your Tesla’s battery lifespan. Finally, we will be going over the cost of having your Tesla’s battery replaced.

What Exactly Is Battery Degradation?

Before we get into all the information regarding the lifespan of Tesla batteries, Here are some things we’ll talk about:

• Some early Teslas are now aging and concerns about hidden costs such as battery replacements after warranty expiry are starting to arise.
• Some inconsistencies in Tesla’s battery lifespan have been observed and are mainly attributed to the usage the car has had over its life.
• Tesla estimates that battery packs should last between 300,000 and 500,000 miles.
• Factors affecting battery lifespan include climate conditions, usage patterns, and charging habits.
• Instances of Tesla vehicles exceeding 200,000 to 300,000 miles on original battery packs have been observed.
• Tips to enhance Tesla battery lifespan include limiting charging range, avoiding frequent fast charging and extreme temperature exposures, and encouraging regular charging within optimal charge levels.
• Battery replacement costs are extremely high.
• Replacing the battery pack includes high costs relative to the car’s value at the time of replacement.
• Specialized equipment is required for battery replacement which limits options for third-party garages to carry out the job.

So, what leads to battery failure? Electric vehicle batteries don’t just stop working, instead, they degrade in a slow manner storing less and less energy until the driving range is reduced to the point where the vehicle is unusable. The same is true with your phone, you might recall that when your phone was new, its battery seemed to last a long time. However, once it gathered a bit of age, battery performance decreased significantly.

Now, this battery degradation isn’t linear. The biggest hit happens early in the battery’s life, after that, a period of slower degradation begins. The way this degradation happens is relatively simple. When driving an electric car, positively charged lithium ions located in the battery move from a component named anode through the electrolyte and to the cathode. Lithium ions return to the anode undercharging. Now, degradation means that some ions become stuck on the cathode or the anode as the battery charges and discharges. This leads to less active ions and therefore less energy propelling the car. Plus, the electrolyte of the battery ages over time and becomes inefficient at letting ions pass through it. This aging of the battery occurs simply due to the effects of time, regardless of how often the car is used.

The Lifespan Of A Tesla Battery

Now, the lifespan of a Tesla’s battery isn’t clearly stated yet. These cars are still relatively new; therefore, not enough of them have aged to the point where clear information about battery life is available. Tesla states that the battery pack can last between 300,000 and 500,000 miles. Newer models are expected to exceed these numbers due to advancements in battery technology. However, the life of the battery will differ depending on usage.

For example, we know for sure that cold weather decreases the life of batteries. Also, the way a battery is charged and discharged dictates its lifespan. There are Teslas on the road with more than 300,000 miles on the original battery pack and plenty of them reaching 200,000 miles with a good example being The Maiden Voyage blog. There are, however, examples of Teslas that needed battery replacements earlier than expected and this is mostly due to usage and location. So, what exactly does one need to do to prolong the battery life of a Tesla?

How You Can Increase Your Tesla’s Battery Lifespan

The steps one has to take to prolong the lifespan of a Tesla’s battery pack are relatively similar to those needed to prolong the lifespan of a smartphone’s battery. First and foremost, the battery should be kept below its full charge and above its lowest charge. So, try to keep your Tesla between 30-percent and 80-percent of charge. Now, if you do happen to go above or below these numbers every once in a while that is fine. Tesla won’t allow 100-percent charge or discharge even with the instrument cluster showing so. This is a built-in mechanism that helps prolong the life of the battery. The Second step is to avoid fast charging as much as you can. If you can charge at home at level two charging every night then go ahead and do so as this will help your battery last longer.

The next step is to avoid leaving your car in the heat. If you have the chance to park under the shade, go ahead and do so. Also, if you can avoid driving in extremely cold climates you will certainly be doing your battery a favor. Just as the range is impacted by cold temperatures, so is battery life. Finally, prefer charging your Tesla more regularly. For example, if you have an 80-percent charge and only use 20-percent to go to work and back, don’t wait a couple of days before recharging. Plug in every night and keep the car operating between 60-percent and 80-percent charge.

How Much Does It Cost To Replace The Battery?

Now to answer the big question, how much does it cost to replace the battery pack on a Tesla? Well, of course, this depends on the exact model, but here is a rough range that takes into account all models. If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of an out-of-warranty battery replacement, you will be facing a bill between $12,000 and $15,000. In some instances, the price can even exceed $20,000. By the time a Tesla needs a battery replacement, its value isn’t much more than that of the battery replacement which sort of makes fixing it pointless.

As of now, there is no easy way to get the battery pack replaced at an independent shop for cheaper as this is a job that requires specialty equipment. So, if your Teslas battery is on its last legs, it may be time to trade it in for a newer model to avoid a big bill.