Repairing an electric car: What happens to the electric car battery?
The battery is the heart of the electric car. At the same time, it is also one of the most expensive components of the vehicle. Many car owners rightly wonder what happens if the expensive battery is damaged or loses capacity. Should I buy a new battery? Or maybe have the old battery repaired? In this article, you will find the answers to all the important questions regarding the cost, lifespan and repair of e-car batteries.
Before buying, many people wonder whether an electric car is worth it, especially with regard to the expensive batteries and any repairs. Wondering the same thing? Then you've come to the right place: We explain what repair options are available and what costs they cause. In addition, we take a look at the warranties of the e-car batteries that manufacturers offer.
This is the service life of the electric car battery
Basically, electric car batteries have a very long service life. Nevertheless, their capacity decreases over time, so that the electric car no longer has the original range. How long the service life of a battery actually is depends on various factors. The following points, among others, play a decisive role:
- Frequency of use
- Charging and discharging cycles
- Ambient temperature
- Type of Battery Chemistry
In addition, the service life can vary greatly depending on the electric car model. For older models, the lifespan is about eight to ten years, while newer ones can reach 15 to 20 years.
Want to know how long your battery is expected to last and how you can maximize its lifespan? Find the answer in our article on the lifespan of electric car batteries.
When does the e-car battery need to be repaired or replaced?
If the battery of your electric car no longer works properly due to malfunctions or damage, it should be repaired. Typical warning signs of this can be that the electric car has a shorter range than usual, the charging time is longer or there are failures of the electronics.
As a rule, problems with the battery occur mainly when it has been excessively stressed. This is the case with frequent charging at the fast-charging station or by using the vehicle in extreme temperatures. Damage to the battery can also be caused by external influences such as shocks or accidents.
Warning signs of damage to the battery include, for example: overheating during charging, damaged or deformed housing, heating when switched off, tarnished and discolored metal parts, or leakage of the battery.
In order to detect and repair possible damage at an early stage, we recommend that you have the battery of your e-car checked regularly to ensure that it is in good working order. Some parameters, such as capacity, can usually be evaluated by the vehicle's electronic system itself. However, for a comprehensive test of the battery, it is advisable to visit a test center or workshop with the necessary equipment. At the first sign of a problem, you should have a professional inspection of the battery carried out to avoid major damage or even a total failure.
Shortly:
- Restoring the capacity of the e-car battery is usually associated with little effort.
- Replacing a battery module can take several days and cost around 5,000 francs.
Repairing an electric car: How expensive is a new battery?
About a third of the production costs of an electric car are in the battery. Once the warranty has expired, replacing it can be very expensive – depending on the model, a new battery can cost over 30,000 francs (as of March 2024). Especially with cheaper electric cars, owners therefore often decide to buy a new car instead of replacing the battery. The industry is trying to circumvent the cost problem by offering generous warranties for electric car batteries. In the event of warranty claims, however, due to the high costs, the entire battery is rarely replaced, but only the defective modules. However, over the past 10 years, the price of lithium-ion batteries has fallen sharply and this trend is expected to continue. Therefore, a new battery should no longer cause such high costs in the future.
Are you wondering what happens to the old e-car batteries or how they are recycled? Learn more about this in our article on the disposal and recycling of electric car batteries.
Costs and duration of e-car battery repair: What to expect
The most common repairs to electric car batteries are the replacement of individual cells and the restoration of capacity. The latter is done by cleaning, calibrating and optimizing the electronic system. This includes the charging electronics, overcharge and overtemperature protection, the communication system and the management system that collects important data from the individual cells of the battery.
Restoring capacity is usually relatively inexpensive. However, if individual cells have to be replaced, it becomes expensive. The single replacement module is comparatively inexpensive, costing around 1,000 francs. However, the amount of work required to replace it is enormous and drives up costs.
First, the battery is tested and the defective module is identified. In order to gain access to the battery, a large number of screws must then be loosened. These steps require special equipment and strict safety regulations. After replacing the module, it is essential to check the insulation, the correct amount of thermal paste and the regulation of the height when assembling the battery. Extreme precision is required here.
Once the battery is fully assembled, repeated tests are carried out to ensure that it meets all safety requirements. The whole procedure can take several days and cost around 5,000 francs. Fortunately, such repairs are almost always covered by the manufacturer's warranty or other types of insurance.
Shortly:
- Restoring the capacity of the e-car battery is usually associated with little effort.
- Replacing a battery module can take several days and cost around 5,000 francs.
How are the warranties of electric car batteries regulated?
The manufacturers provide a guarantee on the usable battery capacity. In most cases, if the capacity falls below 70% within eight years or 160,000 kilometres, the manufacturers replace the battery. It is important that buyers observe the user rules in the user manual and the warranty conditions of their electric car. This ensures that possible warranty claims are not lost. From a legal point of view, it is unclear whether information in the operating instructions constitutes warranty-relevant provisions. However, we recommend adhering to the user rules as a precaution so as not to jeopardize the claims.
Instructions from the manufacturer regarding charging power and battery charging should be understood as recommendations. They therefore do not automatically lead to the exclusion of the warranty. On the other hand, improper work or retrofitting of the car can be grounds for exclusion from warranty service. For example, a deep discharge of the battery due to a longer service life jeopardizes the warranty, depending on the manufacturer. The obligatory software updates should also be carried out regularly. Manufacturers often have accurate information about the history of the battery and critical conditions are stored in the battery management system or transmitted directly to the manufacturer.
Garantiebedingungen der Hersteller für ausgewählte E-Autos
Shortly:
- In order for the warranty claims to apply to your e-car battery, you should follow the user rules in the e-car's owner's manual.
- Retrofitting to the car or improper handling can be a reason for exclusion from warranty services.
Electric Car Battery Repair Checklist
Are you still unsure what to look for in the battery of an electric car? We have summarized the most important points for you here:
When do I need to check the battery?
It makes sense to check the battery every one to two years. With a new car, you can take a little more time: The first inspection should be done after about five years, the second before the warranty expires.
What should I consider?
It is important that you always follow the manufacturer's specifications to prevent a warranty exclusion.
What do I have to do if I notice that something is wrong?
You should not ignore warning signs in the cockpit or damage to the battery. To get professional information for your individual case, it is best to call a specialist workshop directly.
The service life of electric cars has improved significantly in recent years. Especially with new electric cars, there are fewer maintenance costs and the car manufacturers' warranties cover the costs incurred. Buying a new e-car model is therefore becoming more and more worthwhile. Electric cars are now also extremely reliable. Another plus point: With an e-car, you are helping to protect the environment.