My battery is starting to get to unacceptable degradation; I have a 7 year old EV and my top battery percentage is 78% of the purchase.

I inquired about a battery swap and it's around $10->12k. I'm seriously considering it in the next couple of years as I see that as buying another 9->10 years of life for my car.

I might grab a used EV instead, though, as the one thing my car lacks is a heat pump, which kinda sucks in the winter.

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guerby 2 days ago | parent | next [-]

Just like for ICE buyers will learn about the important things about EV choice and ownership.

An EV maker that sells parts at inflated prices including the battery will get less and less customers.

As those customers look at catalog prices for important parts including the battery before buying an EV.

Random web page on the topic:

https://www.recurrentauto.com/research/costs-ev-battery-repl...

Another listing price:

https://evshop.eu/en/13-batteries

Note the used LFP 55 kWh tesla pack at $4140 so ... $75/kWh.

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rickydroll 2 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Your warranty should cover the battery swap. I know my Chevy Volt's warranty is 150,000 miles or 10 years. It may only be 100,000. The length of the warranty depends on whether you live in a CARB state.

If a dealer charges you between $10K to $12K for a swap out, that's the "fuck you for not buying a car that makes the dealership more money" price. Several third-party vendors refurbish and sell EV batteries for much less.

I know what you mean by not having a heat pump sucking. The Volt has resistive heating for wintertime, and it definitely drains the battery. I dress warm and use the seat heaters when I'm driving by myself.

	▲	cogman10 2 days ago \| parent \| next [-]
		I'm outside the range. I have 170,000 miles
	▲	toast0 2 days ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		> The length of the warranty depends on whether you live in a CARB state. Does it matter where you live, or where the vehicle was originally purchased/registered?

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sowbug 2 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Lithium-ion batteries have fallen in price at least 40% since you bought your car in 2018 (https://elements.visualcapitalist.com/charted-lithium-ion-ba...). Assuming there's some correlation between that decline and the replacement price you're facing, which is unfortunately not a given, it would be worth it to hold out as long as you can.

We can only dream of a day when battery packs are a standardized commodity, and as easy to change as motor oil. But modern industry is far too extractive.

	▲	jopsen a day ago \| parent [-]
		Newer battery technology is cheaper, but for a battery swap you'll probably need to buy the same battery tech you already have -- which is probably why a battery swap might not be cheap.

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thegreatpeter 2 days ago | parent | prev [-]

if its a tesla you can probably get it replaced under warranty. i think its 8 years

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cogman10 2 days ago | parent [-]

70% is when they do the swap, but also under 150,000 miles.

No dice for me, I'm at 170,000 miles.

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ggreer a day ago | parent [-]

If you put 170k miles on a gas car, wouldn't you have paid for $10-12k in maintenance over that time? At that point you've done 20 oil changes, replaced the spark plugs & air filter 5 times, replaced the timing belt and transmission fluid twice, replaced the brake pads 3-4 times, replaced the brake rotors, water pump, alternator, and maybe even a head gasket, starter motor, and fuel pump.

Assuming you averaged 30mpg, you also put $20k in gas through it. At the current US average retail electricity price of 17 cents per kWh and EV efficiency of 250Wh/mile, recharging would be $7,200 for that same distance. The fuel savings alone are more than the cost of replacing the battery.

	▲	cogman10 a day ago \| parent \| next [-]
		For sure. That's why I'm thinking of a battery swap. It'll buy a decade more with the car and is cheaper than any used cars I can find.
	▲	goodluckchuck a day ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		I’d say 170k / 5 = 34 * 25 = $850. Throw in air filters, and a couple transmission fluid changes, and it would certainly be under $2k. That’s assuming DIY, but even if you’re paying $80 per change. If you do them every 7,500… you’re still $1,800 total. $12k is plenty for a whole new engine, possibly a new engine and transmission on an economy car. For example, Ford will happily sell you a brand new 2.3 Ecoboost for a Mustang or Ranger or Explorer for $6k: https://www.trackey.ford.com/part/M-6007-23TA