Buying an electric car, new or used, may be intimidating. Unlike a daily ICE mannequin that has an engine which will include protection on its mechanics, you additionally wish to be certain that your electrical automotive, truck, or SUV has some kind of cushion or safety for a couple of years (or longer). Battery warranty coverage is often overlooked by many, with folks not stopping to contemplate if their mannequin provides it and why safety is necessary.

After all, your EV relies on its battery the identical method a traditional automotive is determined by its engine. If the battery fails as a consequence of a producer error or poor manufacturing situations, you wish to know if somebody will restore it without spending a dime or at a a lot decrease value than market worth. Brands like Tesla, Rivian, Ford, Hyundai, and extra supply different ranges of battery protection to electrical automobiles they promote, which provides you peace of thoughts your automotive might be lined if there is a hiccup.

However, how much coverage this is depends on the brand, mannequin, and situation of the car you purchase. If you’ve gotten a pre-owned EV you are taking a look at, it’s extremely possible protection could have expired. That places you in a difficult state of affairs within the occasion one thing dangerous occurs to the automotive’s battery. This article will cowl common auto manufacturers and their warranties on EVs, so keep tuned!

In order to provide the most modern and correct info potential, the info used to compile this text was sourced from Tesla, Rivian, and different authoritative sources, together with Energy.gov, CarEdge, and J.D. Power.

Why Battery Coverage On Your EV Matters

The subsequent time you wish to purchase an electrical automotive, truck, or SUV, it’s worth knowing what level of coverage it may or may not have on the battery. Generally, you’ll be able to anticipate a battery on a brand new car from the vendor to supply about 10 years of producer protection within the occasion of an error that’s their fault.

For occasion, if an EV battery will not be made correctly and it fails after a couple of years of normal driving, Tesla, Rivian, Hyundai, Kia, and so forth., could be accountable to interchange it or make repairs. In the United States, all auto brands are required to offer at least eight years of coverage on their EVs, which incorporates whole battery care throughout that interval. Unless you drive in unsafe situations or abuse the battery in your automotive, truck, or SUV, you should have a shoulder to lean on if one thing happens.

Not All Manufacturers Are The Same

Although eight years appears to be the naked minimal for EV gross sales within the U.S., that does not imply you solely see that quantity of guarantee protection. As of 2024, many automotive producers supply complete packages for batteries lasting 10 years or up to 100,000 miles. There could also be a caveat to this safety relying on the corporate, nonetheless, so be certain that to inquire about this earlier than signing the dotted line.

An ideal instance of this authorized mumbo jumbo is Chevy’s battery warranty, which lasts for eight years with the situation of the battery falling under 60 p.c capability throughout that timeframe. Most manufacturers do 80 p.c because the fall-off requirement, in order that’s a awful factor on GM’s half.

How The Big-Name EV Makers Cover Their Batteries

Depending on which EV model you store with, your battery guarantee and protection will range. As we mentioned, that is NOT the identical for everybody. For instance, for those who store by Hyundai, you see an industry-leading 10-year, 100,000-mile battery warranty, with the caveat being your battery has to fall under 70 p.c capability throughout possession to qualify for a substitute.

Kia has a similar offering, outpacing even Tesla. Federal requirements require eight years however do not dictate all the necessities for a substitute altogether, which is one thing to notice. Some manufacturers do the correct factor, whereas many others don’t. Welcome to purchasing a automotive, buddies.

• Hyundai battery guarantee: 10 years, 100,000 miles (battery capability underneath 70 p.c)
• Kia battery guarantee: 10 years, 100,000 miles (battery capability underneath 70 p.c)
• Industry common: ~8 years, 100,000 miles

Popular EV Models And Their Battery Warranties

(Data sourced from respective auto model)

So, you’ll be able to see these manufacturers meet federal necessities, and that is it. You have eight years and as much as 100,000 miles to say one thing is unsuitable, I need assistance, after which after that, it is your challenge.

Tesla And Rivian Offer Decent Battery Warranties

Two of the most well-liked EV manufacturers proper now are Tesla and Rivian, with both companies solely manufacturing battery-powered vehicles. For Tesla’s battery warranty, you see the next protocols and necessities for substitute and restore:

• Tesla Model S and Model X: 8 years or 150,000 miles.
• Tesla Model 3 Long Range, Model 3 Performance, and all Model Y variants: 8 years or 120,000 miles.
• Entry-level Tesla Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive: 8 years or 100,000 miles.
• Ensures at the very least 70 p.c battery capability retention all through the guarantee.

Rivian is extra common, with the brand offering eight-year coverage or as much as 175,000 miles on its fashions. You additionally wish to know that Rivian requires the battery capability to fall under 70 p.c for a substitute. That’s fairly customary.

Budget EVs Tend To Boast Better Battery Coverage

Interestingly sufficient, now we have discovered that inexpensive manufacturers like Hyundai and Kia supply a number of the {industry}’s finest battery warranties for purchasers. This may very well be as a consequence of cheaper components than luxurious fashions, however it goes to point out extra money = extra issues.

With battery warranties often only meeting federal guidelines and by no means exceeding them, it is refreshing to see a few additional years of protection added to common electrical fashions. Of course, you could face out-of-pocket bills a number of the time for battery repairs, even when lined, however they will not be wherever close to market worth for components and labor.

The Average Car Battery Costs $4,000-$20,000

One of the not-so-fun components of auto possession is knowing how a lot the very important techniques of a automotive, truck, or SUV value. When discussing electric vehicles, for example, it might be good to know their batteries can retail for anywhere from $4,000 to well over $20,000, making them practically inconceivable to get with out going into debt. This is why most drivers trade-in or promote their EVs earlier than eight years/100,000 miles, as a result of who needs to take care of that? Not us. Not anyone.

Please Read The Fine Print, EV Shoppers

Even although we hate telling you what to do, shopping for an electrical automotive isn’t any simpler than an ICE mannequin. Because your vehicle relies on a well-built battery to energy it by all roads and situations, it’s essential to guarantee it comes with at the very least eight years or 100,000 miles of guarantee protection.

Not solely is that this important, however it can save you thousands, if not $20,000+, on a future substitute. EV batteries are not cheap by any means, so be certain that to inquire about protection with the salesperson of your automotive and keep away from older pre-owned fashions. Not well worth the instant financial savings.