Electric vehicle battery replacement costs and climate impact

As the first major waves of electric vehicles reach the 8-to-15-year age mark, the cost of battery replacement is becoming a significant factor for owners. According to a price guide from leasing actor Go-Electra, replacement costs vary widely by model. A Smart EQ battery costs approximately 56,000 DKK, while mid-range models like the VW ID.3 or ID.4 range between 75,000 and 112,000 DKK. Tesla Model 3 and Model Y replacements fall between 70,000 and 134,000 DKK, while high-end Tesla Model S and X units can reach up to 175,000 DKK. To mitigate these costs, many manufacturers now offer module-level repairs, which can cost between 11,000 and 37,000 DKK, potentially halving the total expense.

Separately, research from the University of California published in the journal Science challenges the notion that keeping internal combustion engine vehicles on the road is better for the climate. While EV production carries a higher initial carbon debt due to energy-intensive battery manufacturing, the study concludes that EVs achieve a climate advantage after only a few years of use due to their significantly lower fossil fuel requirements.