replacing ev batteries, cost of replacing ev battery
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I have a question about the price of replacing a battery in a BEV that is available in Australia. Has the manufacturer provided information on how long the battery will last before needing to be replaced?
Before purchasing a BEV, many consumers are concerned about this important issue. Andrew, with all due respect.
Hello Andrew Yes, the cost and timing of EV battery replacement are key considerations, but possibly not to the extent that the general public believes.
I will first separate the question into two sections. How likely is it that the battery will need to be changed at some point while the car is being used? What would a potential battery replacement cost? Will the battery require replacement at some point while the car is in operation? Two issues must be looked at in order to respond to this query: When is a battery "fit for purpose" again? How long is the car's lifespan, too?
First, a sizable portion of producers guarantee their batteries will still have at least 70% of their original capacity after 8 years. This translates to a minimum range of 315–350 km at the age of 8 years for a Hyundai Kona with a city range of 450–500 km. For many people, if not the majority, this entails working out possibly twice weekly rather than once. The same goes for long distance travel; you might need to make a few extra stops to rest, like on your journey from Sydney to Brisbane.
It's crucial to realise that the battery won't "die" after 8 years; instead, its available range will decrease. Remember that the loss is more severe the smaller the battery.
For example, the early Nissan Leaf had a real range of only 120 km. This means that during the 8-year warranty period, it can drop to 84 km and not be replaced under warranty. By now, the oldest Leafs here are 11 years old, and at this rate of decline, their range could have dropped to 70 km. (Even lower in winter when using the heating/air conditioning system). If you use it for more than just getting to your local retailers, it's probably time to replace! However, even while many early (2011–2014) Leaf models did degrade at this (or a worse) rate, it appears that contemporary EV batteries (with improved battery chemistry and thermal management systems) are not degrading as quickly. As a result, this projection represents the worst case scenario.Actually, according to the analysis, the vast majority of batteries will survive longer than the lifespan of the vehicle if observed rates of degradation persist. Given that this was an average that includes many early EVs, utilising their web tool to highlight certain models reveals that many later models show deterioration rates that are substantially lower than the average.For those purchasing current model EVs with larger batteries, it is anticipated that a battery replacement will be required after 10 years or more. This brings us to the conclusion of portion (a). This electric vehicle also has an eight-year guarantee period (if ever) before a new battery is actually required, so it can be used as a second vehicle for short excursions until the old ICE vehicle finally becomes obsolete or as the children grow older, etc.
How long does an automobile have a "life"? So when does an electric vehicle's interior, suspension, steering, and electronics become worn to the point where it indicates the vehicle has reached the end of its useful life? 20 years seems like a reasonable guess, and that's the number I recently heard to explain why we should set 2030 as the last date for the ban on sales of new ICE vehicles if we hope to achieve zero emissions by 2050. The average age of the Australian car fleet is 10.6 years (2020-2021 Australian Bureau of Statistics). As a result, it is appropriate to respond to the question above by saying that an electric car may never require a battery replacement; alternatively, no more than one battery replacement per lifetime will be required and if replacement is required.
What would a potential battery replacement cost? Early on, there were numerous horror stories of the Nissan Leaf's battery draining quickly and costing upwards of $30,000 to replace it. These anxieties proved to be unnecessary in the end. Throughout the 8-year guarantee period, batteries that degraded more quickly than they ought to have were replaced at no cost. Thankfully, the price of a dealer-installed replacement battery has decreased to roughly $10,000 for a 24kWh battery since the 8-year guarantee has run out. Additionally, it was discovered that many of these systems had only a few problematic components and the remainder were in working order when the failed battery packs were sent back to the factory.In Japan, refurbished packages for the ZE0 or AZEO Leaf sell for around US$2,900 (around AU$4,000).Also, as these cars fall off the road in accidents, a ready stock of used batteries is available to private businesses to experiment with. As a result, some have begun offering aftermarket replacement (in some cases upgraded) batteries*. Meanwhile, the bulk of the cost of BEVs - the battery - has fallen in price about as rapidly as solar panel prices in the early 2000s. In 2010, electric vehicle battery prices rose by about US$1,100/kWh but have now fallen to US$137/kWh. (See Chart 1. Note the US dollar amounts used). The key point for BEV and ICE price parity is predicted to be $100/kWh, with 2024 being the likely date to start.
It appears that when the present generation of electric vehicles may require new batteries, the price will be roughly 4000 USD if the cost per kilowatt-hour is already $137 and BNEF expects it will reach $58 per kilowatt-hour by 2030. A 64 kWh Kona battery costs (AU$5,400). When applied to the original sheet, this will mirror the pricing and drop depicted in Chart 1. Returning to the response to part (a) of this question, it is doubtful that this battery will need to be replaced in such a circumstance. In fact, this might be plenty for the duration of the car. For instance, Tesla recommends a "million mile battery" (one that lasts a million miles, which is 1.6 million kilometers)Batteries for electric vehicles don't need to be replaced every 8 to 10 years; by 2030, the cost of a new Kona battery is projected to be under $10,000 and perhaps even below $5,400. (with prices for remanufactured batteries again significantly lower) A lifetime of car servicing may mean that an EV battery never needs to be changed. I hope this clarifies your query. Andrew? *I'm currently working on an article about iMiEV and ZE0/AZEO Leaf battery replacement possibilities in Australia. I hope this clarifies your query. Andrew? *I'm currently working on an article about iMiEV and ZE0/AZEO Leaf battery replacement possibilities in Australia. I hope this clarifies your query. Andrew? Notes: I'm now working on a piece about possibilities for Australian batteries.
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