Three years ago, a Tesla owner abroad exploded his Model S due to a battery failure. His anger stems from the high cost of battery replacement, which is as high as 20,000 euros. This incident has sparked widespread public concern about the cost and longevity of electric vehicle battery repairs.
Many people choose electric vehicles because of their low electricity cost and environmental protection. However, the maintenance cost and attenuation of the battery have become a problem for many car owners. Car owners are worried that once the battery fails or decays, the repair cost will be a significant expense. So, is EV battery repair really that expensive?
Repair costs and attenuation of batteries
In fact, the cost of repairing an EV battery is really not to be underestimated.
The battery replacement price of some mainstream electric models in China is generally high, and some are even close to half of the price of new cars. This is mainly due to the relatively high cost of manufacturing and R&D of batteries.
There are still some issues and challenges with EV battery repair and replacement.
1. The maintenance of the battery is difficult, and in many cases the entire battery pack needs to be replaced, which increases the maintenance cost and difficulty.
2. There is still some uncertainty in the decay degree and performance of the battery, which makes it difficult for car owners to accurately predict the life and performance of the battery. Because it directly affects the range and use experience of electric vehicles.
The attenuation of the battery is also the focus of attention of car owners.
As a consumable, the capacity of a battery will gradually decay with increasing use. According to network data, the batteries of 64 pure electric models around the world attenuated by an average of about 2.3% per year from 2012 to 2019. This means that an electric vehicle with an original range of 400 kilometers may have a significant reduction in range after a few years of use. For example, my colleague's Nezha X, which has been used for less than two years, has a battery attenuation of more than 20%.
With the continuous progress of power battery technology, the battery decay rate of new cars has slowed down. According to the national standard, the initial capacity of a qualified battery can still be maintained at a high level after completing a certain number of charge and discharge cycles. This means that under normal use, the life and performance of electric vehicle batteries can be better guaranteed.
In order to alleviate car owners' concerns about the cost and life of battery repairs, many car companies have also launched various warranty programs and services. These measures have undoubtedly boosted consumer confidence in electric vehicles.
For example, some car companies offer a lifetime warranty on the battery for the first owner, or provide a free battery replacement service for a certain period of time.
However, the specific terms and conditions are often more demanding. For example, some warranty plans require the owner to drive no more than a certain amount of mileage per year, or have strict requirements for the degree of battery degradation. As a result, some car owners may not be able to enjoy free battery replacement services.
Response
For EV owners:
1. Understand the performance and life of the battery, as well as master the correct use and maintenance methods.
2. Check the status and performance of the battery regularly, and find and deal with potential problems in time.
3. Pay attention to the charging and discharging methods of the battery to avoid damage to the battery caused by overcharging and discharging.
The cost and longevity of EV battery maintenance is one of the most important challenges in the EV sector today. We need to continuously improve this issue through technological innovation and service enhancement to make electric vehicles a more reliable and practical means of transportation. At the same time, car owners should also enhance their understanding and awareness of electric vehicle batteries, and master the correct use and maintenance methods to prolong the service life and performance of the battery.
For car companies:
1. It is necessary to continuously improve the battery technology and manufacturing process to improve the life and performance of the battery.
2. It is necessary to strengthen the construction of after-sales service and quality assurance system to provide more convenient and efficient maintenance and replacement services for car owners.
With the continuous expansion of the electric vehicle market and the intensification of competition, car companies also need to pay more attention to the quality and performance of batteries. Only by continuously improving the quality and reliability of batteries can we stand out in the fierce market competition. At the same time, the government and all sectors of society should also strengthen the support and guidance of the electric vehicle battery industry, and promote the continuous innovation and development of battery technology.
Conclusion
The cost and longevity of EV battery repair issues are complex and long-term. In the future, with the advancement of technology and the development of the market, these two problems will be better solved.
On the issue of batteries, as long as they meet the national standard when they leave the factory, it is almost impossible to rely on the car factory to replace the battery for free. However, if the quality of the battery is not up to standard, then it may be possible to gain something by protecting rights through 12315 or legal means. For the majority of car owners, the cost of replacing the battery is indeed expensive, sometimes almost equivalent to the price of half a car. But the good news is that as long as the battery is used normally, the rate of decay is quite slow, so there is no need to worry too much.
For second-hand car owners, the situation is a little different. Not only can you not enjoy the lifetime warranty service of the first owner's battery, but also because of the certain wear and tear of the battery, it is often difficult to get a high price when selling the car. However, on the other hand, the used car market also offers options for those with limited budgets. After all, the price is more affordable and the battery wear is acceptable, so the decision to buy a car is quite sensible.
Today's automotive market is changing rapidly, with rapid technological changes and a gradual depreciation in the value of vehicles. When buying a car, consumers should understand the automobile market, think calmly, and make an informed choice based on their own needs and financial capabilities.
If you're worried about the cost of your car, or you're worried about losing too much money when you sell your car, then you should probably choose a model that better suits your spending power from the start. After all, a car is just a means of transportation, and it can meet the needs of daily travel.