Top 10 most purchased EVs and their battery replacement costs

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Employees work on the Renault Zoe electric automobile assembly line at the Renault SA factory in Flins, France, on Wednesday, May 6, 2020. European car sales were almost wiped out in April after governments around the continent closed auto dealerships and other businesses to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Photographer: Christophe Morin/Bloomberg
Christophe Morin/Bloomberg

One significant aspect that sets electric vehicles (EVs) apart is the disparity in repair costs compared to traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Unlike conventional vehicles, which often require maintenance for their mechanical systems, EVs have simpler systems with fewer moving parts. However, while this may reduce the frequency of repairs, the repair costs for EVs can be notably higher due to the intricate and costly nature of their battery systems. In the event of battery damage, replacement costs can soar, significantly impacting overall ownership expenses. 

Research from Thatcham shows that replacing EV batteries is expensive; on average, claims for replacing batteries are about 25.5% more expensive than claims for combustion vehicle repairs. A Solera study that uses data from the organization's global claims database found that EV repair costs are 29% higher than ICE vehicles globally and EV parts, including high-voltage batteries and control units, are 48% more expensive.

Here are the battery replacement costs for the most purchased EVs of 2023, according to Business Insider. 

Tesla Model Y

Battery replacement cost is approximately between $13,000 and $15,000, according to Recurrent Auto.

Tesla Model 3

Because the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y have similar configurations and battery packs, the Model 3 battery replacement will also run you approximately between $13,000 and $15,000.

Chevrolet Bolt

Recurrent Auto lists the battery replacement cost is approximately between $16,000 and $16,250.

Ford Mustang Mach-E

The price for a new battery for the 2023 Mustang Mach-E can be found on the Ford Parts website and can vary between $31,000 and $39,000 depending on the standard or extended pack. However, Ford created a battery pack that is designed to be serviced module-by-module. Module replacements can run between $6,000 to $7,000.

Volkswagen ID.4

The manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the ID.4 battery costs $27,000. Its 82 kWh pack is larger than the average EV battery according to the Find My Electric website.

Hyundai Ioniq 5

The battery replacement cost is approximately $11,000, according to Find My Electric. The battery is designed for module servicing, however, and each module costs roughly $500 for repair or replacement.

Rivian R1S

While there is not much information available yet on the replacement costs for the R1S battery, Car and Driver shared that Rivian recently introduced a smaller standard battery pack that drops the vehicle's base price by $9,100 to $76,700. The standard pack has a usable capacity of 106 kWh.

Ford F-150 Lightning

The standard MSRP for the F-150 Lightning is roughly $37,000, according to the Ford Parts website. The long range battery MSRP runs around $50,000. The battery pack, like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, can be serviced module-by-module, however. Module replacements can run between $4,000 to $5,000.

Tesla Model X

Find My Electric estimates a battery replacement cost for the Model X between $10,000 to $12,000.

BMW i4

Battery replacement cost may be between $13,000 to $15,000 for the vehicle's 83.9 kWh battery pack according to Find My Electric.