Should I replace the battery on a Tesla Model S with Free Lifetime Super Charging? The short answer? No.
First generation, Gen 1, Tesla Model S from 2012-2017 were sold with lifetime free Super Charging that is connected to the Vin#, the car, rather than the owner, as is the case with later models. With Super Charger rates between $13 and $30 to charge, a 2017 Model from 20-80% owners with free charging might save $100/month in charging fees or $1,200/year.
A 2017 Model S will cost on average about $25,000. And while you can likely buy a replacement battery pack for as low as $12,000, a new battery for that vehicle will cost as much as $18,000 from Tesla plus as much as $3,000 in Tesla labor. In addition, Tesla says they have to do the work in order to pair the new battery with the BMS, or Battery Management System, in order to get that free charging for life extended. And you just spent $47k for a nine year-old EV and none of the other components have been replaced. Also, the tech in a 2017 Model S, while updated, is limited to the hardware that was built into the vehicle nine years ago. Would you buy a nine year old iPhone? Likely not even if it came with a new battery.
The price for a new Rivian R2 starts at $45,000 and the new Slate, the Blank Slate EV pickup, starts at $25,000. $47,000 would also buy two good used EVs like the Hyundai Ionic 5, Kia EV 6, or a Tesla model 3. To say nothing of what charging at your home would cost if your own your home.
Not everyone agrees including this EV repair shop owner who has done the work. View his thoughts on his channel,Out of Spec Renew. But keep in mind the host of this channel repairs Tesla’s for a living including the one he’s reviewing for battery replacement which he owns. For DIYer SAMCRAC the other issues for an out-of-warranty Tesla are not worth it even without replacing the battery as he notes in this video in this video.
But for our money, for the non EV repair shop owner, investing almost $50k for a Gen 1 Tesla Model S just to take advantage of lifetime free Super Charging is bad math, a bad investment, and a bad idea.
One other disclaimer: High voltage electric vehicles are extremely dangerous and unqualified DIY’ers risk thermal runaway, battery fires, and even death. These vehicles are extremely dangerous. Avoid repairs if you are unqualified.
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