Electric cars are gaining popularity for good reasons. They are quieter, better for the environment, and even put an end to those costly trips to the gas station. But what would happen if its main component — the battery — malfunctions? Is replacing it as simple as changing the batteries in a TV remote?
Well, the short answer is that electric vehicles don’t need a battery change often. Car manufacturers like Tesla promise a guarantee of 150,000 miles, which is roughly eight to 10 years. But if it does fail after the said period, getting a new one fitted can be quite an expensive affair.Â
Simrat Sooch, a second-hand Hyundai EV owner from Stoney Creek, Ontario, was faced with a similar situation. The first signs he got were a battery light flashing on the instrument cluster. Several days later, the car ceased to charge. With no other option, he towed it to the nearest workshop only to be slapped with a quote of ÂŁ 39,998 (equivalent to $ 50,000) as his battery needed to be replaced and was out of warranty. [1]Â
Hence, while the transition to EVs promises numerous benefits, it also raises questions.
In this guide, you’ll learn the necessary precautions and electric car battery replacement costs in case of failure. Whether you’re thinking of buying a new EV or already own one, read till the end for valuable tips and answers.
‍
To reiterate, electric-powered vehicles come with batteries that last longer than the life of the car for a new owner. But there are a couple of reasons why you may need to replace one in the future.
The first and most common one is battery degradation. Just like cell phones and laptops, battery packs in EVs too are mainly made of lithium. Each lithium-ion battery is designed to withstand approximately 1,500 charging cycles. (charging to 100% and then discharging to 0%) With repeated charging over time, these batteries gradually lose their capacity to hold power, resulting in lesser range and performance.Â
Battery degradation is absolutely normal and takes place faster when the car is new. If you charge your car battery in a sensible manner — which we’ll discuss later — it's rare for the battery to drop below a certain level.Â
Another reason for battery replacement is physical damage, which can occur due to accidents or natural calamities. Although electric vehicles have a greater flood survival rate than internal combustion engines (ICEs), the danger of battery failure is still significant and poses a serious concern.
‍
The bad news is that car manufacturers do not publicly list the prices for new EV battery replacements. Instead, they offer warranties that give some kind of financial security to buyers. Some even have a replacement program to reassure customers — like the Nissan Leaf. The company takes a fee of £5,000 for a new battery and even hands its EV drivers £1,000 back for their old one.
The good news, however, is that we can run a few calculations with existing data and predict approximately how much a lithium battery pack for an EV would cost. But first, you need to understand what kWh (kilowatt hour) is. Simply said, it quantifies energy, such as the amount of power a battery can store. This tells us how far an electric car can travel on full charge.Â
Now, let's move on to the calculations. As per Statista, the average cost of a lithium-ion battery pack as of 2023 was $139 ( which works up to ÂŁ111.46 ).[2] So a car with a 60 kWh battery would approximately cost ÂŁ6,687.6 ( 60 kWh x ÂŁ111.46/kWh )Â
Although it sounds expensive, the price is much lower than in 2014, when the cost per kWh was $700 (ÂŁ561.16).
Using the same formula, we’ve put together the battery costs of some of the commonly available EV cars in Britain:
‍
As per Recurrent, a firm that studies EV battery health, only 1.5% of electric cars sold needed a battery replacement. So, use the numbers above as a guide. It's hard to give an exact amount because replacing batteries is still a pretty new topic. Also, bear in mind that these are only estimates for the battery pack and do not include installation or any additional fees.
‍
Okay, it's time to address the burning question: why does it cost so much to replace an electric car battery?Â
The most obvious response is that raw materials influence the price. But there's more to it than that.Â
‍
One thing is for certain: outdated EV batteries do not wind up in landfills. They're too valuable for that. Moreover, this jeopardises the primary motivation for moving to electric vehicles: to safeguard the environment. Plus, even though they are no longer suitable for fueling vehicles, obsolete EV batteries retain 50-60% of their initial charge.Â
Current global applications for obsolete electric car batteries include:
‍
Now, let’s discuss some do’s and don’ts to help you extend the life cycle of your EV battery.
Isn’t it tempting to save time by using those superchargers for an instant power boost? However, doing this regularly eats away at your battery’s life. Fast charging is right for a few instances when you're in a hurry — like getting to work on time — but making it a habit increases battery wear.Â
The key to extending battery life is maintaining a charge rate of 20% to 80%. It works wonders by reducing stress and pressure on the battery cells. Just like you avoid letting your phones empty or overcharge, it’s time to do the same for your EV’s battery.Â
No matter how hot, cold or wet it’s outside, keep your EV plugged in. Your EV is smarter than it seems. Plugging your EV in at these extreme temperatures enables the vehicle’s thermal management system to keep the battery at an ideal temperature and allows it to work optimally.Â
​​​​It’s thrilling to just let loose and hit that accelerator. But this is just another reason why the battery dies a lot faster. Consistent high-speed acceleration strains the battery. Save the speed for those rare occasions, and your battery will last a little longer.Â
Like any relationship, a little attention goes a long way. Don’t let your EV sit idle for too long. Make sure to drive your vehicle regularly, even if it’s just a short trip to the grocery store.Â
‍
Now that you know how important it is to keep your EV plugged in, let’s introduce you to OVO Charge powered by Bonnet.Â
Wouldn’t it be handy to have a list of all the charging stations in the palm of your hand?
Well, OVO Charge powered by Bonnet does exactly that for you and more. It’s a revolutionary app created to make your life that much easier. With just one app, you have access to over 19,000 UK-based charging locations. Forget your days of downloading multiple apps to find the right charger and switch over to just this one!
We do you one better and help you navigate to these stations, all the while keeping you informed on the basis of availability, speed and costs.
More specifically, OVO Charge powered by Bonnet uses integrated Google Maps, Apple Maps or Waze to help you reach those charging points without wasting a single minute on detours. What’s even better is that you’re billed automatically after the charging process is completed. Plus, we pamper you a little more and add any discounts applicable to your invoice as well.
Other than this, we’ve also got our very own subscription package known as “Boosts”. It offers a percentage-based discount on all charging sessions. There are currently two tiers of membership: Light Boost and Turbo Boost.
Isn’t this already sounding like a step closer to a hassle-free and rewarding experience? Download OVO Charge powered by Bonnet today and join the many other smart EV users.Â
‍
Here are the key takeaways from this article:
‍
[1] https://globalnews.ca/news/10103753/electric-car-shock-50000-battery/Â
[2] https://www.statista.com/statistics/883118/global-lithium-ion-battery-pack-costs/Â
‍
Electric cars are gaining popularity for good reasons. They are quieter, better for the environment, and even put an end to those costly trips to the gas station. But what would happen if its main component — the battery — malfunctions? Is replacing it as simple as changing the batteries in a TV remote?
Well, the short answer is that electric vehicles don’t need a battery change often. Car manufacturers like Tesla promise a guarantee of 150,000 miles, which is roughly eight to 10 years. But if it does fail after the said period, getting a new one fitted can be quite an expensive affair.Â
Simrat Sooch, a second-hand Hyundai EV owner from Stoney Creek, Ontario, was faced with a similar situation. The first signs he got were a battery light flashing on the instrument cluster. Several days later, the car ceased to charge. With no other option, he towed it to the nearest workshop only to be slapped with a quote of ÂŁ 39,998 (equivalent to $ 50,000) as his battery needed to be replaced and was out of warranty. [1]Â
Hence, while the transition to EVs promises numerous benefits, it also raises questions.
In this guide, you’ll learn the necessary precautions and electric car battery replacement costs in case of failure. Whether you’re thinking of buying a new EV or already own one, read till the end for valuable tips and answers.
‍
To reiterate, electric-powered vehicles come with batteries that last longer than the life of the car for a new owner. But there are a couple of reasons why you may need to replace one in the future.
The first and most common one is battery degradation. Just like cell phones and laptops, battery packs in EVs too are mainly made of lithium. Each lithium-ion battery is designed to withstand approximately 1,500 charging cycles. (charging to 100% and then discharging to 0%) With repeated charging over time, these batteries gradually lose their capacity to hold power, resulting in lesser range and performance.Â
Battery degradation is absolutely normal and takes place faster when the car is new. If you charge your car battery in a sensible manner — which we’ll discuss later — it's rare for the battery to drop below a certain level.Â
Another reason for battery replacement is physical damage, which can occur due to accidents or natural calamities. Although electric vehicles have a greater flood survival rate than internal combustion engines (ICEs), the danger of battery failure is still significant and poses a serious concern.
‍
The bad news is that car manufacturers do not publicly list the prices for new EV battery replacements. Instead, they offer warranties that give some kind of financial security to buyers. Some even have a replacement program to reassure customers — like the Nissan Leaf. The company takes a fee of £5,000 for a new battery and even hands its EV drivers £1,000 back for their old one.
The good news, however, is that we can run a few calculations with existing data and predict approximately how much a lithium battery pack for an EV would cost. But first, you need to understand what kWh (kilowatt hour) is. Simply said, it quantifies energy, such as the amount of power a battery can store. This tells us how far an electric car can travel on full charge.Â
Now, let's move on to the calculations. As per Statista, the average cost of a lithium-ion battery pack as of 2023 was $139 ( which works up to ÂŁ111.46 ).[2] So a car with a 60 kWh battery would approximately cost ÂŁ6,687.6 ( 60 kWh x ÂŁ111.46/kWh )Â
Although it sounds expensive, the price is much lower than in 2014, when the cost per kWh was $700 (ÂŁ561.16).
Using the same formula, we’ve put together the battery costs of some of the commonly available EV cars in Britain:
‍
As per Recurrent, a firm that studies EV battery health, only 1.5% of electric cars sold needed a battery replacement. So, use the numbers above as a guide. It's hard to give an exact amount because replacing batteries is still a pretty new topic. Also, bear in mind that these are only estimates for the battery pack and do not include installation or any additional fees.
‍
Okay, it's time to address the burning question: why does it cost so much to replace an electric car battery?Â
The most obvious response is that raw materials influence the price. But there's more to it than that.Â
‍
One thing is for certain: outdated EV batteries do not wind up in landfills. They're too valuable for that. Moreover, this jeopardises the primary motivation for moving to electric vehicles: to safeguard the environment. Plus, even though they are no longer suitable for fueling vehicles, obsolete EV batteries retain 50-60% of their initial charge.Â
Current global applications for obsolete electric car batteries include:
‍
Now, let’s discuss some do’s and don’ts to help you extend the life cycle of your EV battery.
Isn’t it tempting to save time by using those superchargers for an instant power boost? However, doing this regularly eats away at your battery’s life. Fast charging is right for a few instances when you're in a hurry — like getting to work on time — but making it a habit increases battery wear.Â
The key to extending battery life is maintaining a charge rate of 20% to 80%. It works wonders by reducing stress and pressure on the battery cells. Just like you avoid letting your phones empty or overcharge, it’s time to do the same for your EV’s battery.Â
No matter how hot, cold or wet it’s outside, keep your EV plugged in. Your EV is smarter than it seems. Plugging your EV in at these extreme temperatures enables the vehicle’s thermal management system to keep the battery at an ideal temperature and allows it to work optimally.Â
​​​​It’s thrilling to just let loose and hit that accelerator. But this is just another reason why the battery dies a lot faster. Consistent high-speed acceleration strains the battery. Save the speed for those rare occasions, and your battery will last a little longer.Â
Like any relationship, a little attention goes a long way. Don’t let your EV sit idle for too long. Make sure to drive your vehicle regularly, even if it’s just a short trip to the grocery store.Â
‍
Now that you know how important it is to keep your EV plugged in, let’s introduce you to OVO Charge powered by Bonnet.Â
Wouldn’t it be handy to have a list of all the charging stations in the palm of your hand?
Well, OVO Charge powered by Bonnet does exactly that for you and more. It’s a revolutionary app created to make your life that much easier. With just one app, you have access to over 19,000 UK-based charging locations. Forget your days of downloading multiple apps to find the right charger and switch over to just this one!
We do you one better and help you navigate to these stations, all the while keeping you informed on the basis of availability, speed and costs.
More specifically, OVO Charge powered by Bonnet uses integrated Google Maps, Apple Maps or Waze to help you reach those charging points without wasting a single minute on detours. What’s even better is that you’re billed automatically after the charging process is completed. Plus, we pamper you a little more and add any discounts applicable to your invoice as well.
Other than this, we’ve also got our very own subscription package known as “Boosts”. It offers a percentage-based discount on all charging sessions. There are currently two tiers of membership: Light Boost and Turbo Boost.
Isn’t this already sounding like a step closer to a hassle-free and rewarding experience? Download OVO Charge powered by Bonnet today and join the many other smart EV users.Â
‍
Here are the key takeaways from this article:
‍
[1] https://globalnews.ca/news/10103753/electric-car-shock-50000-battery/Â
[2] https://www.statista.com/statistics/883118/global-lithium-ion-battery-pack-costs/Â
‍
Electric cars are gaining popularity for good reasons. They are quieter, better for the environment, and even put an end to those costly trips to the gas station. But what would happen if its main component — the battery — malfunctions? Is replacing it as simple as changing the batteries in a TV remote?
Well, the short answer is that electric vehicles don’t need a battery change often. Car manufacturers like Tesla promise a guarantee of 150,000 miles, which is roughly eight to 10 years. But if it does fail after the said period, getting a new one fitted can be quite an expensive affair.Â
Simrat Sooch, a second-hand Hyundai EV owner from Stoney Creek, Ontario, was faced with a similar situation. The first signs he got were a battery light flashing on the instrument cluster. Several days later, the car ceased to charge. With no other option, he towed it to the nearest workshop only to be slapped with a quote of ÂŁ 39,998 (equivalent to $ 50,000) as his battery needed to be replaced and was out of warranty. [1]Â
Hence, while the transition to EVs promises numerous benefits, it also raises questions.
In this guide, you’ll learn the necessary precautions and electric car battery replacement costs in case of failure. Whether you’re thinking of buying a new EV or already own one, read till the end for valuable tips and answers.
‍
To reiterate, electric-powered vehicles come with batteries that last longer than the life of the car for a new owner. But there are a couple of reasons why you may need to replace one in the future.
The first and most common one is battery degradation. Just like cell phones and laptops, battery packs in EVs too are mainly made of lithium. Each lithium-ion battery is designed to withstand approximately 1,500 charging cycles. (charging to 100% and then discharging to 0%) With repeated charging over time, these batteries gradually lose their capacity to hold power, resulting in lesser range and performance.Â
Battery degradation is absolutely normal and takes place faster when the car is new. If you charge your car battery in a sensible manner — which we’ll discuss later — it's rare for the battery to drop below a certain level.Â
Another reason for battery replacement is physical damage, which can occur due to accidents or natural calamities. Although electric vehicles have a greater flood survival rate than internal combustion engines (ICEs), the danger of battery failure is still significant and poses a serious concern.
‍
The bad news is that car manufacturers do not publicly list the prices for new EV battery replacements. Instead, they offer warranties that give some kind of financial security to buyers. Some even have a replacement program to reassure customers — like the Nissan Leaf. The company takes a fee of £5,000 for a new battery and even hands its EV drivers £1,000 back for their old one.
The good news, however, is that we can run a few calculations with existing data and predict approximately how much a lithium battery pack for an EV would cost. But first, you need to understand what kWh (kilowatt hour) is. Simply said, it quantifies energy, such as the amount of power a battery can store. This tells us how far an electric car can travel on full charge.Â
Now, let's move on to the calculations. As per Statista, the average cost of a lithium-ion battery pack as of 2023 was $139 ( which works up to ÂŁ111.46 ).[2] So a car with a 60 kWh battery would approximately cost ÂŁ6,687.6 ( 60 kWh x ÂŁ111.46/kWh )Â
Although it sounds expensive, the price is much lower than in 2014, when the cost per kWh was $700 (ÂŁ561.16).
Using the same formula, we’ve put together the battery costs of some of the commonly available EV cars in Britain:
‍
As per Recurrent, a firm that studies EV battery health, only 1.5% of electric cars sold needed a battery replacement. So, use the numbers above as a guide. It's hard to give an exact amount because replacing batteries is still a pretty new topic. Also, bear in mind that these are only estimates for the battery pack and do not include installation or any additional fees.
‍
Okay, it's time to address the burning question: why does it cost so much to replace an electric car battery?Â
The most obvious response is that raw materials influence the price. But there's more to it than that.Â
‍
One thing is for certain: outdated EV batteries do not wind up in landfills. They're too valuable for that. Moreover, this jeopardises the primary motivation for moving to electric vehicles: to safeguard the environment. Plus, even though they are no longer suitable for fueling vehicles, obsolete EV batteries retain 50-60% of their initial charge.Â
Current global applications for obsolete electric car batteries include:
‍
Now, let’s discuss some do’s and don’ts to help you extend the life cycle of your EV battery.
Isn’t it tempting to save time by using those superchargers for an instant power boost? However, doing this regularly eats away at your battery’s life. Fast charging is right for a few instances when you're in a hurry — like getting to work on time — but making it a habit increases battery wear.Â
The key to extending battery life is maintaining a charge rate of 20% to 80%. It works wonders by reducing stress and pressure on the battery cells. Just like you avoid letting your phones empty or overcharge, it’s time to do the same for your EV’s battery.Â
No matter how hot, cold or wet it’s outside, keep your EV plugged in. Your EV is smarter than it seems. Plugging your EV in at these extreme temperatures enables the vehicle’s thermal management system to keep the battery at an ideal temperature and allows it to work optimally.Â
​​​​It’s thrilling to just let loose and hit that accelerator. But this is just another reason why the battery dies a lot faster. Consistent high-speed acceleration strains the battery. Save the speed for those rare occasions, and your battery will last a little longer.Â
Like any relationship, a little attention goes a long way. Don’t let your EV sit idle for too long. Make sure to drive your vehicle regularly, even if it’s just a short trip to the grocery store.Â
‍
Now that you know how important it is to keep your EV plugged in, let’s introduce you to OVO Charge powered by Bonnet.Â
Wouldn’t it be handy to have a list of all the charging stations in the palm of your hand?
Well, OVO Charge powered by Bonnet does exactly that for you and more. It’s a revolutionary app created to make your life that much easier. With just one app, you have access to over 19,000 UK-based charging locations. Forget your days of downloading multiple apps to find the right charger and switch over to just this one!
We do you one better and help you navigate to these stations, all the while keeping you informed on the basis of availability, speed and costs.
More specifically, OVO Charge powered by Bonnet uses integrated Google Maps, Apple Maps or Waze to help you reach those charging points without wasting a single minute on detours. What’s even better is that you’re billed automatically after the charging process is completed. Plus, we pamper you a little more and add any discounts applicable to your invoice as well.
Other than this, we’ve also got our very own subscription package known as “Boosts”. It offers a percentage-based discount on all charging sessions. There are currently two tiers of membership: Light Boost and Turbo Boost.
Isn’t this already sounding like a step closer to a hassle-free and rewarding experience? Download OVO Charge powered by Bonnet today and join the many other smart EV users.Â
‍
Here are the key takeaways from this article:
‍
[1] https://globalnews.ca/news/10103753/electric-car-shock-50000-battery/Â
[2] https://www.statista.com/statistics/883118/global-lithium-ion-battery-pack-costs/Â
‍
