
I think that the industry has not had enough experience to accurately predict life of an EV battery.
Consumer Affairs speaks to this issue in their July, 2023 blog titled “EV battery replacement cost”. Their findings are summarized:
“We reached out to five mechanics and technicians from different parts of the U.S. to see how much an EV battery replacement costs for different vehicles, and the average results ranged from $4,489 all the way to a staggering $17,658.
- All EV batteries will eventually fail to hold a charge and require replacement.
- It’s hard to pinpoint how long EV batteries will last, but most have a life span between eight and 15 years.
- Sourcing a replacement EV battery from anyone but your car’s manufacturer is nearly impossible, which is the main reason replacement costs are so high.
- EV battery repair is a growing industry that may help you avoid the high cost of a replacement, but it’s not commonly available yet.
- The Federal Government requires the car maker to guarantee 100,000 miles or 8 years whichever comes first. Some warranties only cover the EV battery if it no longer holds a charge at all, while others will cover the replacement of any EV battery that has dropped below 60% or 70% of its maximum capacity.
I do not think that a used EV buyer would have any guarantee on battery that had already met one of those stipulations.
The following chart was assembled by Consumer Affairs after interviewing mechanics around the country. It may look strange to be dealing with 2014 EVs but that reflects the car’s age using the battery. The Prius is a hybrid with a small ICE engine and a battery combination.
| Vehicle | Average parts cost | Average labor cost | Average total cost |
| 2014 Tesla Model S | $13,500 | $1,500 | $15,000 |
| 2014 Nissan Leaf | $17,269 | $388 | $17,657 |
| 2014 Toyota Prius | $3,858 | $631 | $4,489 |
Next Car’s June 2022 posting, “EV Batteries 101: Degradation, lifespan, warranties and more” echos Consumer Affairs posting. NEXT Car adds:
“Buying a used Tesla with close to or more than 100,000 miles on the odometer, or holding onto the one you already own out of warranty, is a much riskier decision given the high cost of repairs”.
cbdakota




