When you are considering buying an electric car, there are some important questions you need to ask. How much does it cost to change the battery and how long will the battery last?
In this article, we focus on the BMW i3, a popular model of electric cars and you will find an estimate of how much a replacement battery will cost. We will also explain how long the battery can be expected to last and how to maintain your battery to get the most out of it.
Read on to find out all you need about BMW i3 batteries.
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How Much Does a BMW i3 Battery Replacement Cost?
Depending on whether your battery is still under warranty or not, the replacement can cost you from nothing up to $20,000. The average cost for the 2013-2016 models is about $16,000. This is a lot of money, but still less than replacing your car. You can save by choosing a cheaper battery, but this might not be cost-effective in the long run.
A battery module for the BMW i3 costs between $1,715 and $1,805 from BMW. There are eight modules in the BMW i3 battery pack, making the total between $13,720 and $14,440. That is the price before the labor cost. If we look at the average cost of $16,000 per kWh, the cost for a BMW i3 22 kWh battery pack is $727/ kWh.
You can find reconditioned batteries, for example, on eBay starting from $2,500. However, when buying second-hand batteries, you need to be aware that they may not come with any warranty. They are also likely to need replacing again sooner than a new battery.
How is The Cost of Battery Replacement Determined?
The BMW i3 is designed to be eco-friendly. However, eco-friendliness can often come with a higher price tag, meaning that replacing the battery is not likely to be cheap. Exactly how much it will cost depends on various factors.
Some of these factors include your location, whether you are using a third-party technician, an authorized dealer, or changing it yourself. The cost of the battery can also vary a lot depending on which battery you go with.
Before you start pricing the battery, you should first check if your BMW is still under the manufacturer’s warranty. If it is, then you should be able to get it serviced at no cost to you. You should also note that you may void the warranty if you change the battery yourself.
How Does The Cost of BMW i3 Replacement Battery Compare to Other Brands?
If you are considering buying an electric car, you might be interested in knowing how the BMW i3 compares with other electric and hybrid car models.
Chevy Volt: a high-voltage battery replacement costs between $9,209 and $9,334. However, there have been reports of car owners being charged a lot more, up to $30,000.
Hyundai IONIQ EV: this plug-in hybrid has some of the cheapest replacement batteries around. They will cost $118 – $216.
Nissan LEAF: the replacement batteries range from $5,000 to $7,000 for the 24 kWh battery and around $10,000 for the 40 kWh battery pack.
Tesla Model 3: the battery replacement costs between $7,000 and $11,000. With Tesla, the labor costs vary hugely from $525-$2600, depending on who you use and where you are.
Tesla Model S: the replacement battery is $13,000-$20,000 and as with the Model 3, the labor costs vary.
VW e-Golf: a new battery costs from $12,000 to $15,000. However, with labor and parts, you could be looking at over $20,000.
Battery Prices Are Decreasing
The good news for electric car owners is that the cost of battery packs is declining. There was a 16% decline between 2007 and 2019. So if that trend continues, the price of a replacement battery for the BMW i3, like for all hybrid and fully electric vehicles, could be a lot lower by the time you need to replace your battery compared to now.
How Long is Your Battery Guaranteed Under Warranty?
The high-voltage battery used in the BMW i3 comes with a three-year unlimited mileage warranty. In addition, the warranty covers it for up to 100,000 miles or eight years, depending on which milestone is reached first. While under warranty, you must take your car to a BMW-authorized mechanic or you will void the warranty.
Why Will The Battery Need Replacing?
The batteries in electric vehicles, like any batteries, have a shelf life. Batteries are designed to handle a certain number of charge cycles. Each cycle is made of a charge and discharge. When the battery reaches the maximum number of charging cycles, it will not hold the charge anymore or might not charge at all.
Batteries may also need replacing if they get damaged, for example, through a leak in the battery pack or misuse. There are ways you can keep your battery healthy for longer so you can get the maximum number of charge cycles out of it. We will explain ways to do this later in the article.
How Long Can You Expect The Battery to Last?
Different factors can affect the lifespan of a car battery. However, the expected lifespan of the battery used in the BMW i3 is an impressive fifteen years. Of course, the actual battery life depends on your driving habits, how often the battery is charged, and how well the battery is maintained to reduce early battery degradation.
Taking Care of Your Car Battery
If you want to ensure that your car battery lasts as long as it is intended and keeps working at optimal levels, there are some key things you can do. These are brief pointers. You can always refer to your owner’s manual for more details on maintenance and recommendations for the specific battery in your car.
- You should never let your car battery discharge completely or below the recommended depth of discharge. Neither should you let your battery overcharge. Letting your battery run empty and overcharging can both damage the battery and therefore shorten its life.
- It is also best to avoid fast charging your car. A high-energy charge can accelerate damage and the aging process of your battery. Frequent, small charges are better than infrequent, large charges.
- Keeping your battery at room temperature when charging is better for your battery’s health.
- You should not charge the battery immediately after you have finished a long drive but let it cool down first.
- Use your car frequently, preferably every day. If this is not possible and you will not be using your car for a long period of time, try to keep the battery charge between 30% and 80%.
- If possible, park your BMW in a garage where it is more protected from extreme temperatures. If you don’t own a garage, then park your vehicle in the shade during hot, sunny weather. This will help keep the battery cooler.
- Have your car and battery checked and serviced by an authorized dealer at least once a year. This will ensure that potential issues are caught early on.
- Accelerating slowly and avoiding excessive speeds will also help your battery last longer.
Signs That You May Need a Battery Replacement
When your battery is getting weaker either because of damage such as from corrosion on the battery terminals or over/undercharging or simply because it is old, there are some signs to look out for.
When your battery is dying, you may notice a clicking sound when you are starting your car. You may also notice that your headlights are not as bright as they used to be, the electrical systems in your car might not work or the engine cranks slowly.
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should get your car battery checked.
Can You Change The Battery Yourself?
Yes, it is possible to save money and change the battery yourself. However, you should know that this may affect any warranty on the battery or the car itself. You will also need a range of tools and equipment to first change the battery and then register the new battery.
If you would like to know more about changing the battery yourself, you can check out this video.
Conclusion
If you have bought a BMW i3 with a new battery, you should not expect to have to replace it for a long time. The batteries are designed to last for around fifteen years, depending on various factors. If you have issues with the battery during the warranty period, you should get it serviced or replaced for free.
Outside the warranty, the average cost for a replacement battery from BMW is around $16,000. There are cheaper alternatives. However, you may not get a very long warranty if any, and they might die sooner than more expensive ones so you would need to replace the battery again sooner.
Hopefully, you have found all the answers you were looking for regarding the cost of the BMW i3 replacement battery. If you have further questions, you can write them in the comments box.