How Often Do They Need Changing? The current estimate is that an EV car battery will last from between 10 to 20 years before needing to be replaced. Having said this, needing to pay over £8,000 for a new Tesla Model S battery every 10-20 years would likely encourage most to stick to their petrol and diesel engine vehicles.
Replacing an EV Battery Is Expensive, but Would You Ever Need To? Battery technology has come a long way, and EV batteries can last more than 100,000 miles these days. There's no question that electric vehicles are becoming more affordable every year.
As of 2021, the only other electric vehicle batteries that can be upgraded are in Nissan Leafs. EV Rides, a company in Portland, OR, offers battery swaps and upgrades for all years and trim levels of Leafs. For those who drive other types of EVs such as Hyundai Kona or Chevy Bolt, you can have the battery replaced, but not upgraded.
But let’s say you want to replace and upgrade your current battery for one that has more power (in EV terms, that’s known as kilowatt-hours). That might or might not be doable. If you drive a Chevrolet Bolt EV, for example, a new battery pack will set you back more than $15,000 (not including the cost of labor).
It is possible to make a hardware change on a Tesla, too. As of 2021, the only other electric vehicle batteries that can be upgraded are in Nissan Leafs. EV Rides, a company in Portland, OR, offers battery swaps and upgrades for all years and trim levels of Leafs.
Consumer industry experts report the average EV battery pack’s lifespan is approximately 200,000 miles. Maybe you’re looking for a more powerful battery, one made of more sustainable materials, or a battery made from safer components. But it’s not as simple—or straightforward—as you might think.