There are usually two ways in which a (economic) total loss of a combustion engine can be caused: a serious accident or engine damage. It was hoped that electric cars would be able to avoid the latter in the future, as electric motors are much more robust and less complex.
In principle, this is correct, but the problem has not really been solved by electric cars - in principle, it has only been shifted: the decisive factor is no longer the motor, but the battery. If this is broken, it becomes really expensive.
Luckily, it's not too often that a Tesla needs new batteries. Nevertheless, the topic of Tesla battery replacement is important. We explain what you need to know.
Tesla new battery: when is the change necessary
According to current knowledge, battery packs in modern electric cars last quite a while. It is not for nothing that Tesla (like many other manufacturers) usually gives 8 years or well over 100.000 kilometer warranty for the battery. However, electric cars have not been on the roads of this world long enough to really make a definitive statement.
After all, the fact is that the batteries lose capacity over time and are only of limited use below 70 percent - which may make it necessary to replace the battery. In the near future, early examples of the Model S, which has been available since 2012, will show how the batteries perform in reality and whether replacement batteries will become a pressing issue.
However, for most Tesla drivers, especially owners of a Model 3 or Model Y, signs of ageing are not yet a problem. In this case, damage to the battery due to external influences such as accidents or similar mishaps is more likely to be the reason for a battery replacement.
Tesla battery price: it gets expensive
The good news: In the event of accidents or similar, the insurance usually pays. This is important, because the Tesla battery replacement costs can justifiably be described as enormous. As various experience reports in the tff forum and elsewhere show, the total costs for the battery and installation often amount to over 20.000 euros - depending on the model and battery condition.
In many cases, you will not receive a new battery, but a reconditioned one in which individual modules have been replaced. It is also important to note that with Tesla you often have to pay the invoice amount in advance before you can get it back from the insurance company - at least if you want to take your car with you immediately after the repairs have been completed. As long as the money is not yet with the car manufacturer, the service center simply retains the vehicle.
Tesla battery replacement costs: Cheaper than the alternatives
Despite the high price and the effort involved, there is usually no alternative to replacing the battery. Damaged high-voltage batteries are literally a fire hazard time bomb. And if you use your Tesla despite a damaged battery, you usually also lose your insurance cover - so it's better to have the battery replaced as long as the insurance pays out and nobody has been injured.
If the battery is not damaged but is old, it does not pose a direct risk, but the vehicle may only be of limited use due to the reduced capacity and is therefore virtually worthless. Tesla battery replacement may therefore also be necessary here.
The best precaution is good battery handling through correct charging. These include the limited use of Superchargers and the correct charging current.
