The Volt battery is 16 kWh and weighs 435 pounds and the published estimated cost is $8,000 to $10,000.
fyi Ping.
When this car is 5 or 6 years old, who in his right mind will want to sink $15000 into a 5 or 6 year old car to replace the battery?
~ $20/lb.
A Prius-driving friend told me @ 3 years ago that its replacement battery would be $10K+. Don’t know if the cost has gone up during that time. So far they haven’t needed a new battery.
They did, however, need some other part I think of as costing around $400, but cost them $1200 for the Prius. You’d have to do an awful lot of fuel-efficient driving to compensate for those costs.
That sounds like a great transportation energy solution <0.o>
“One of the auto industry’s most closely guarded secrets, the enormous cost of batteries for electric cars, has spilled out.”
Um....everyone and their dog already knew what the replacement costs are so....what’s the “secret” that spilled out?
http://www.nascar.com/news/120416/ford-focus-electric-pace-car-richmond/index.html
A bunch of cautions and a full three GWC’s and we may see it die on the track. ;)
Let’s do some math based on those commants:
Cost of Focus with gas engine: $22,000
Cost of Battery: $12,000 to $15,000
(Let’s assume $15,000 and say that this number includes the extra electronics and such).
Price of car should be: $37,000
Price of car actually is: $39,200
Extra profit: $2,200.
Note as well, this was the price of an all-electric car as compared to a gas-powered car... in other words, Ford is also saving on the cost of the gas engine. I would guess that’s probably another $2000 in their favor.
[Ford is clearly counting on the tax subsidies: $2500 for Californians; $7500 Federally]
And in any of these high gas mileage automobiles—why have they not mentioned safety??????? If you drive one pull along side of and 18 wheeler you ar looking at the tire and rim.....if you get hit by a larger car-—you will have serious if not fatal injuries...course you could say its your time to go......
The battery in Hyundai’s Sonata Hybrid is guaranteed for life.
That doesn't include dealer mark up, special shipping cost (delivery truck with full sized forklift), installation, and disposal/shipping cost of the old battery. When the battery needs to be replaced an electric automobile is essentially totaled. Econoboxes do not do well in accidents vs. SUVs and now there's a 700 pound mini-SUV pushing from the inside. The thin metal and squishy passengers between the two heavy masses have no chance.
One little consideration about batteries in general, and very likely applying here: They wear out as they are charged and discharged. So even if they last as long as promised, the vehicle might be down to a range of 40 miles on a good day, and 20 miles on a bad day.
It’s no different than having your gas tank shrink over time, and starting with a very small tank at that!!