The cost of replacing EV batteries is an expensive proposition, new study

Based on various factors, the study put the average battery replacement cost at $137 per kWh

Recurrent recently conducted a new study detailing how much it costs to replace the battery on some popular EVs on the market.

The study is more applicable to older vehicles, as most newer models have warranties covering repairs and/or replacement for a specified number of years. The costs also depend on whether the battery is replaced by the OEM or by a third party. Based on various factors, the study put the average battery replacement cost at $137 per kWh.

The study shows that batteries in cars like the BMW i3 range from $2,500 for a used example to $16,000 for a brand new one when purchased directly from the OEM. This equates to between $145/kWh and $727/kWh. GM had priced a 2017 Chevy Bolt battery pack at $15,734, but that was closer to $16,000 at dealerships before labor costs were added. That puts the dollar-to-capacity ratio for the Chevy Bolt at $250/kWh, which is the cheapest option.

One of the most popular electric vehicles on the world market, the Nissan Leaf costs between $3,500 and $9,500 to replace the battery, depending on the battery capacity. This ranges from $150/kWh to $187.5/kWh, all without labor.

Another popular example is the Tesla Model 3, whose batteries range from $10,000 to $15,799. The Model S batteries cost even more, between $12,000 and $22,000. The Volkswagen e-Golf is another EV with a high battery price of $23,443, which works out to a whopping $654/kWh – the highest of any vehicle in the list.

Source: RecurrentAutos