Chevy Bolt Battery Replacement: Cost & Logistics To Keep In Mind
Chevy Bolt by Kevauto — CC-BY-SA-4.0
If you’re interested in getting on board the electric car movement, there’s no better time than now. EVs are previously considered luxury vehicles that come with an expensive price tag. However, as the EV market grows, more models are introduced, which is always a win for consumers who want more options. Thus, if you’re in the market for a budget-friendly all-electric vehicle, the Chevy Bolt is undoubtedly worth the look.
Since its debut in 2016, the Bolt has become more popular as a small electric hatchback with a strong value proposition. One of the primary qualities that made the Bolt EV a standout is its tempting starting price. With an MSRP of below $30k, the Bolt EV is a much more accessible package than other small EVs like the Hyundai Kona Electric and Tesla Model 3.
However, the Chevy Bolt battery replacement cost is one of the people’s biggest concerns. How much will it cost to replace a Chevy Bolt battery? How long do these batteries last? What can you expect from a Chevy Bolt battery replacement? We’ll answer these questions and more below.
Chevy Bolt Battery Replacement: What’s the Cost?
The Chevrolet Bolt EV (not to be confused with the Bolt EUV) rose to popularity with its attractive starting price. However, like many of its all-electric contemporaries, the Bolt EV uses substantially larger batteries that also cost considerably more.
According to Recurrent Auto, a Chevy Bolt battery replacement may cost you between $16,000 to $16,500 for a 65 kWh battery pack – quite a shock to the wallet. That comes down to $250-$271 per kWh. Therefore, you’re essentially paying for more than half of the price of a brand-new Bolt EV. Apparently, Chevy split the Bolt battery pack into ten separate battery stacks. This means drivers can replace the bad stacks for less money. However, this isn’t the best solution since the rest isn’t far behind once a pack or two goes bad.
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This is hardly surprising since the raw cost of replacing an EV’s battery pack has generated a lot of controversy over the last few months. These outrageous prices are due to many factors, including the supply chain issue that many automakers are still coming to grips with.
On the other hand, industry experts predict that EV batteries will become less expensive. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance or BNEF, the average price of battery electric vehicle (BEV) packs will level down to $100/kWh by 2023. The publication also added that by 2030, EV batteries would cost at least $6,200 to replace.
What’s the Lifespan of Bolt EV Batteries?
The Bolt EV houses a Lithium-ion battery which is the most common because it offers plenty of power for its weight, a long lifespan, and holds its charge for a longer time. In addition, the Bolt comes with a battery size of between 60 - 66 kWh, depending on the model.
To determine the lifespan of Bolt EV batteries, we look at the warranty offered by Chevy. With that said, Chevy offers a warranty of 8 years or 100,000 miles for the Bolt EV (whichever comes first), which is in line with many mainstream electric cars. The warranty terms mention that capacity degradation during the warranty term should be between 10-40%.
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Chevy Bolt Battery Replacement: What to Expect?
Replacing the battery of your Bolt EV can be a straightforward process, but don’t expect that it’s as simple as removing the battery and replacing it with a smartphone or smoke alarm. Instead, the process is in the same vein as a car engine replacement. EV batteries have quite some weight and hold a lot of electrical power. Therefore, proper handling and installation are a must, so battery replacement is a job that’s best left to the pros.
Once you have scheduled an appointment with your local dealership or mechanic, you can bring in your Bolt EV for the battery replacement. The replacement process should be relatively straightforward for the technicians. There’s a good chance they’ll have to perform a software update to ensure the computer recognizes the new battery pack.
Replacing the battery of your Bolt should take at most a day. However, actual experiences may vary based on several factors, including the availability of the mechanic and parts. Sometimes, parts need to be ordered, and with the ongoing supply chain disruptions, your replacement may take longer than expected.
Also, it’s worth pointing out that not all replacement jobs have to replace the complete unit outright. Sometimes, technicians only have to identify and replace broken modules or worn-out individual battery cells.
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How to Extend the Lifespan of Your Chevy Bolt EV Battery
Extending the lifespan of your Bolt EV battery is all about proper maintenance and a couple of charging best practices. Below are some tips on how to make your EV battery last longer:
- Mind the battery capacity: Refrain from overcharging your battery and charging it fully. Please pay attention to the battery capacity gauge and keep it between 20% to 80% for the best results. A good rule of thumb is to only charge your Bolt up to 80% to prevent rapid degradation. In addition, you should also avoid running down the battery to 0-10% because it will also degrade the battery faster.
- Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures: Lithium-ion batteries do not play well with extreme temperatures. Due to the lack of active thermal management, warmer temperatures will cause added stress to the batteries and shorten their lifespan. Similarly, lithium-ion batteries also don’t fare too well in colder temperatures. The best practice is always to park or store your car under shaded conditions or inside the garage.
- Limit the use of fast chargers: While it’s tempting to use fast chargers, only use them when you need them, like in emergencies. Rapid chargers generate a lot of heat which may affect the battery’s lifespan. Furthermore, it’s easy to overcharge the battery using a fast charger.
With proper maintenance and thoughtful charging practices, your Bolt EV batteries can last as long as ten years.
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