How Much To Replace A Tesla Battery?
How much to replace a Tesla battery? It may likely cost a couple hundred bucks to replace the battery pack in a Tesla model. Even more? Keep reading to find out the true price:
A Bit About Tesla Batteries?
Tesla is the world’s largest electric auto manufacturer, and many people wonder what kind of batteries the company uses and what’s special about these batteries. Now let’s find out how many types of Tesla battery cells have:
- 1865 (diameter 18 mm, height 65 mm): Roadster (original), Model S, Model X.
- 2170 (diameter 21 mm, height 70 mm): Model 3, Model Y
- 4680 (diameter 46 mm, height 80 mm): Model Y Made-in-Texas. This larger format cell is expected to be rolled out in future models like the Cybertruck and the Semi.
- LFP prismatic batteries: Model 3 and Model Y
All Tesla batteries are lithium-ion batteries, but not all are made the same. There are several different primary cathode chemical compositions, each developed over the years. Three main types of cathodes in Tesla electric vehicles:
- Nickel-cobalt-aluminum (NCA)
- Nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM)
- Lithium iron phosphate (LFP)
Currently, Tesla is applying solid lithium-ion batteries instead of liquid like many companies today. This technology is also being applied by Tesla and Audi, not only helping with fast charging (only 30-45 minutes to fully charge), increasing battery lifespan but also limiting the possibility of battery explosion.
How Long Do Tesla Batteries Last
Thanks to continuous improvements in battery technology, Tesla batteries are designed to last for hundreds of thousands of miles, with some estimates suggesting up to 70% capacity remaining after 500,000 miles. For electric vehicle buyers, battery life and degradation rate are quite important. According to the latest data from Tesla, the Model S/X battery is expected to lose an average of 12% of its capacity after 200,000 miles (322,000 km). And, Recurrent Auto’s research based on battery data from about 6,300 Tesla Model 3s in the US shows that on average, the battery still has about 90% of its capacity after 5 years of daily use.
According to Tesla, the vehicle will typically be scrapped after 200,000 miles in the US and after 150,000 miles in Europe. This means the battery pack will outlast the electric vehicle in most use cases, without showing significant loss of range over its lifetime.
>>Read more: How Long Does It Take To Charge A Tesla?
How Much To Replace A Tesla Battery?
Generally, Tesla batteries can last 10 to 20 years, so you don’t need to constantly worry about replacing the battery pack. However, in some unwanted cases, you need to replace the battery for your Tesla, so you should know that the Tesla battery replacement cost is never cheap. The average cost to replace a battery in a Tesla is between $5,000 and $20,000 depending on the mode, the pack, and the size of the battery. According to Recurrent estimates, replacing the battery on the Tesla Model 3 will cost about 180 USD/kWh, which is about 15,800 USD including labor for the entire battery pack. Currently, the Tesla Model 3 has a starting price of about 45,000 USD; so you can see that the replacement cost accounts for more than 1/3 of the total price of a new car.
| Tesla model | Battery replacement costs |
| Model 3 | Over $14000 |
| Model Y | $5000 – $5500 |
| Model S | $13000 – $20000 |
| Model X | Over $13000 |
Compared to other brands that produce EVs, Tesla battery costs are significantly higher, in comparison, the battery cost for a Hyundai Ioniq is set at about $2850. The battery cost is one of the biggest reasons why Tesla vehicles cost a premium compared to other brands or gas-equivalent cars.
Ex: Current Automotive posted the 2020 receipt of one customer’s replacement of a remanufactured 75KWh battery in a Tesla Model 3:
- Battery: $13500
- Labor: $2299,27
- Total: $15799,27
Note: It’s important to keep in mind that the battery replacement will only cost you money If it’s out of warranty. It means that If your battery is within its manufacturer warranty, typically 8 years and 00000 miles, you should get the battery replacement at no extra cost. So do you want to know more about the Tesla battery warranty, follow the next part:
Tesla Battery Warranty
Driving an electric vehicle with an expired battery warranty can be a big concern for many drivers because you are going to spend a large amount of money on battery replacement. Knowing details about the warranty policies can help you be proactive in replacing and making the right decision on using the car. Here is how long Tesla warranties cover battery replacement for different models:
| Model S | 8 years or 150000 miles whichever comes first with a minimum of 70% retention of battery capacity over the warranty period. |
| Model X | |
| Model 3 RWD | 8 years or 100000 miles whichever comes first with a minimum of 70% retention of battery capacity over the warranty period. |
| Model 3 Long Range | 8 years or 120000 miles whichever comes first with a minimum of 70% retention of battery capacity over the warranty period. |
| Model 3 Performance | |
| Model Y AWD | |
| Model Y Long-Range | |
| Model Y Performance |
The Tesla warranty only covers malfunctions or damages caused by fabrication. If the battery is damaged due to collisions, exposure to fire, water, unauthorized services, improper maintenance, windstorms, off-road driving, and several other events, the owner will bear the costs.
Where To Replace A Tesla Battery?
When it comes to replacing your Tesla battery, you will have a few different options:
- Tesla service center: Taking your car to a Tesla service center or having one of its mobile service technicians come to you may be the most reliable solution for replacing a Tesla battery even if it can cost more. You can schedule a service appointment using the Tesla app.
- Third-party repair shop: Your second option is you can take your Tesla to a non-Tesla shop but one with expertise in Tesla vehicles can be harder to find. You’ll have to search for options available in your area to find a good fit. Replacement can be less expensive with a third-party repair shop, but make sure the mechanics have ample experience working with Tesla.
- Replace it yourself: While it may be tempting to replace a Tesla battery yourself to save money on labor costs, this generally isn’t advisable unless you have training and expertise in this area. Replacing an electric battery on your own can cause vehicle damage and you may end up spending more to fix any issues your DIY replacement caused.
>>Related post: How To Put Tesla In Car Wash Mode?
Tips To Improve The Tesla Battery Lifespan
To get the most out of your Tesla battery, you can refer to some tips below to help your battery last longer:
Always charge your Tesla, but not 100%
Charging 80% instead of 100% is a recommendation that experts have long given to increase battery life. However, few electric car owners are bothered by this, as they often charge overnight and wake up to a car with 100% battery. Andy Slye says 80% is more than enough for daily use.
Driving habits
If you drive like racers Scott Dixon, Tanner Foust, or Bubba Wallace, you will deteriorate the life of your car and battery. Frequent acceleration, sudden braking, and changing directions badly impact any part of the race car’s exterior.
Regular maintenance
One of the most important factors that determine the lifespan of your car is you, the person behind the wheel. It’s vital to keep up with your car’s maintenance schedule, even if an electric car has fewer faults than an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle.
