How much is an electric car battery?
Electric batteries are one of the most expensive parts of an electric car, but how much do they cost and how long do they last?
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One of the main worries that some motorists have before switching to an electric vehicle (EV) is the cost of replacing the car’s battery and how likely it is they’ll have to pay for this.
The good news is that it’s unlikely you’ll have to replace your EV’s battery – these can last as long as most fuel-powered cars.
How much to replace electric car battery in the UK?
The cost of an electric car battery is calculated per kWh so will differ depending on the battery you need for your car.
As of March 2023, the current cost is £87 per kWh and does not include the cost of fitting the battery or removing the old one.
For a new battery to fit the Honda e, you’d be looking at around £3,088.50. This is significantly cheaper than chunkier models like the Tesla Model Y, that would cost £7,134 based on the current price guide.
To get a rough cost for replacing the battery in your EV, just multiple the kWh of your current battery by £87 (or the latest figure).
How long do electric car batteries last?
Most EV batteries are expected to last as long as 10-20 years, covering up to 500,000 miles before you’d need to think about replacing them.
Most electric cars even come with an 8-10-year or 100,000-mile battery warranty, so the manufacturer will help you get a replacement if you experience a fault within that time.
These warranties are longer than the typical three-year offering that manufacturers offer on fuel-powered cars, so this should give you peace of mind.
How does the battery degradation process work?
Degradation happens when the capacity and power in a battery are lost overtime as the battery gets older.
This happens when lithium-ions are lost due to reactions in the battery, meaning there are fewer of these ions to move between the electrodes.
Battery degradation is unavoidable and happens due to the chemical reactions that must take place when they’re in use.
You can minimise battery degradation by keeping on top of your battery health.
Never letting your car battery run flat (known as ‘deep discharging’) and avoiding regular full charges can help keep your battery healthy. The ideal charge is between 20% and 80%.
Avoiding extreme temperatures can be helpful too, as well as keeping your DC fast charging to a minimum.
Where can I buy a replacement electric car battery?
If your EV battery is still within its warranty, you should be able to contact your manufacturer and have it help you with a replacement.
After this time, you’ll need to have your battery replaced by the manufacturer or a third-party specialist. This isn’t something you should try to do yourself – rely on the experts to source you the right battery for your car.
For the most part, it’s unlikely you’ll ever need to replace an EV battery outside of your warranty period as these things are built to last.