One of the key components to making electric vehicles affordable is finding ways to reduce EV battery cost. Batteries account for nearly 40% of an EV’s overall expense, so finding ways to reduce their prices will significantly affect its final price tag.
Recently, automakers have begun switching to more cost-effective battery chemistries. Furthermore, they’ve implemented manufacturing improvements that reduce scrap rates and unexpected stoppages.
Battery Size
The battery is the most crucial element of an electric vehicle (EV), and its cost will be determined by its capacity. To meet certain criteria such as energy density, weight and size, power density and range, battery technology must be carefully designed.
Selecting the ideal battery for your electric vehicle is critical to ensure a pleasant driving experience and minimize maintenance expenses. Unfortunately, many drivers are unaware that battery prices vary based on size and how it’s used.
You might expect that the larger and heavier a battery is, the higher its production costs will be. That is why battery researchers and manufacturers strive to design batteries with maximum specific energy – that is, how much power can be delivered per unit of weight or volume.
This helps reduce the cost of an electric vehicle’s battery, thus cutting down on its overall price point. Furthermore, a larger battery increases how far an EV can travel without charging, thus increasing its range.
Another factor influencing the price of an electric vehicle battery is the type of cell it’s made from. Batteries can be constructed using various cell types, such as nickel-metal hydride (NMC), lithium iron phosphate (LFP) or large Li-ion cells.
NMC batteries offer the lowest specific energy and are often chosen in the automotive industry; however, LFP cells boast superior cycle life and can operate at higher states of charge. As a result, more LFP batteries are being developed than NMC to meet various electric vehicle (EV) applications.
Additionally, recent raw material market price trends are impacting EV OEMs and battery makers’ long-term strategies. This poses a major challenge as they must ensure their electric vehicles remain affordable enough for mass adoption.
To make this easier, they have created battery chemistries that enable them to manufacture smaller and more efficient batteries, thus decreasing their cost and increasing driving ranges. This development is essential for electric vehicle success in the future and promises to boost their success rate.
Battery Type
The electric vehicle battery is one of the key elements in its design. It consists of hundreds (sometimes thousands) of small battery cells connected in series and parallel, providing necessary voltage and current for operation of the electric motor.
The type of battery used in an electric vehicle (EV) has a major effect on its cost, so it’s essential to be informed about all available options and their pros and cons. Batteries can be constructed from lead-acid, nickel metal hydride or lithium-ion; each type having its own advantages and drawbacks.
Lithium-ion batteries are often chosen for electric vehicles (EVs) due to their affordability and high specific energy (how much power they can store per kilogram). But these batteries also come with some drawbacks; they’re inefficient when charging and discharging, plus they may experience high self-discharge if left unused for an extended period of time.
Though lithium-ion technology is the most common type of electric vehicle battery, other battery types like lead-acid, nickel-metal hydride and lithium-air are also viable options. While they have their own drawbacks, these alternatives tend to be much cheaper to manufacture than lithium-ion ones and offer longer lifespan.
The primary factor affecting the cost of an electric vehicle battery is the material used to manufacture it. The cathode, or electrode that stores and releases electricity, accounts for more than half of a battery’s overall price tag. Unfortunately, materials required to craft this part can be quite costly, often being in high demand as automakers scramble to secure supplies.
In addition to the materials required for making a battery, there’s also the cost of manufacturing. This includes expenses related to cathodes, electrodes and other components as well as overhead expenses and labor.
While electric vehicle (EV) batteries are more costly to manufacture than gasoline-powered cars, analysts anticipate they will become cheaper over the coming years. Analysts anticipate they eventually become as cost effective to produce as conventional cars – though this may take some time in countries where metals used in mining and refining lithium are scarce.
Charging Costs
Although electric car batteries are much more energy-efficient than gasoline-powered vehicles, they still require regular charging. How much this costs depends on several factors like the electricity rate in your region and how many miles you drive each month.
Most electric vehicles (EVs) come equipped with Level 1 chargers, which can recharge your battery overnight at 3 to 6 miles per hour (a kWh of electricity will recharge an EV battery from empty to full in 3 to 6 hours). Owners have the option to install faster charging equipment for maximum range possible.
Electricity rates can be very high during peak hours, but you may have the option to use a special rate plan that allows you to charge at a lower price. These options may be available only certain times of day or in locations with increased demand for electricity like shopping centers and office parking lots.
Charging fees for public charging stations vary between locations, though many are free to use. Prices are determined by local electricity rates and the property owner where the charger is situated; some providers charge either per-minute or kWh-based fees.
For example, a Level 2 charging station at a public shopping center or business parking lot might cost $1 to $5 an hour. You can find price details about each charger on its website or app.
Maintaining an electric vehicle (EV) battery during cold weather can be costly, as they lose around 41% of their power when exposed to cold. Furthermore, charging a car takes longer during winter due to slower car battery temperature increases.
Are you an electric vehicle (EV) owner and worried about the cost of charging your battery at home? Consider investing in a home-use battery charger. These units range in cost from several hundred dollars up to upwards of $10,000 depending on what type of equipment you choose.
According to the EPA, an electric vehicle (EV) with a 100-mile range will use approximately 28 kWh of energy per mile, translating into monthly costs of $417 in comparison with just $147 for gas vehicles that achieve 30 mpg.
Maintenance Costs
An electric vehicle battery is a costly piece of equipment. As it ages, however, repair costs may escalate exponentially; in certain instances though, warranty coverage may cover replacement costs for you.
Most EV batteries come with a lifetime warranty, but some will need replacing eventually. The cost of replacing an EV battery varies depending on the model and brand, but is usually comparable to replacing a midrange gas vehicle’s engine, according to Trotta.
At some point in an electric vehicle’s lifespan, its battery must be periodically checked and maintained. This includes topping off its fluid levels, rotating tires and performing various mechanical checks to guarantee optimal performance of both its system and battery.
With advances in electric car technology and increased production volume, the cost of an EV battery should decrease over time. This will enable EV owners to pay lower maintenance expenses than they would for conventional cars since their batteries will require fewer repairs.
Some electric cars require servicing at least twice a year, but most won’t. This is because most EVs feature regenerative braking systems which reduce the need for brake pads.
Furthermore, many parts in an electric vehicle (EV) are similar to those found in traditional gas-powered cars and can also be serviced. Expect to replace wipers and wiper fluid, change tires, and inspect suspension components as necessary.
The good news is that most electric vehicles don’t require regular oil changes, which can get expensive in an ICE vehicle. This is because an EV doesn’t have many moving parts, meaning fewer things to check on.
AAA estimates that an electric vehicle (EV) typically travels about 15,000 miles before needing maintenance, meaning EV owners can save up to $3,000 annually in comparison with those of non-electric vehicles.
On average, electric vehicle (EV) batteries last 10 to 15 years if their owner drives around 20,000 miles annually. Therefore, battery replacement won’t be necessary until after 100,000 miles have been covered on their odometer.