Does Tesla offer free battery replacement?

Tesla Warranty Expired? Need A New Battery Pack? Check This Out

Tesla wanted $22,500 to replace this Model S’ battery pack. This guy saved 75%.

Sep 13, 2021 at 2:05pm ET

Right to repair is so important for cases like this. Aside from range, the lack of charging infrastructure in many areas, and the high upfront cost, many people are concerned about buying an EV due to battery degradation or battery-related issues. Folks know that batteries can have problems and will eventually degrade, and they also know they’re very expensive.

This Tesla Model S had an issue with its battery. Sadly, the car is out of warranty. According to Tesla, the battery pack needed to be replaced, and it was going to cost a whopping $22,500. Who better than Rich Rebuilds to come to the rescue? Rich and his team were able to fix the problem for 75-percent less than Tesla’s quote.

We’ve shared similar stories with you before. Gruber Motors has a process for repairing Tesla batteries that will likely save people a huge chunk of cash. Electrified Garage offers in-house training to teach people to fix their own Tesla vehicles. Moreover, Rich works with Electrified Garage and recently fix a Tesla Model 3 for just $700. Tesla had quoted $16,000 for the repair.

The video above is typical of any «Rich» video. It’s packed with comedy and silliness, though you have to watch closely to catch some of the antics and innuendos. Feel free to share them in the comment section.

At any rate, Rich makes it clear that Tesla is likely going to charge you an arm and a leg for out-of-warranty repairs. This is no secret or surprise, and we’ve seen it many times before. Out-of-warranty repairs are expensive in general, and this is especially true of repairs on expensive luxury cars. Fortunately, many repairs can be performed by owners at home. However, more difficult repairs, like those related to electric cars and their battery packs, likely need to be handled by a professional.

While Rich and the guys over at Electrified Garage may not come across as the usual «professionals» since they seem like typical car dudes just tinkering and having fun, they probably have more insight, experience, and know-how than almost anyone out there, especially when it comes to fixing Teslas.

We wouldn’t be surprised if these guys know more about some aspects of Tesla vehicles than many technicians working at Tesla Service Centers. In addition, it’s probably safe to say that Rich and his team may have more inside information about Tesla repairs than many of the mechanics dealing with collision repairs at Tesla-certified shops, though there are always exceptions.

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While there are only a handful of people out there that do work like Rich, and only a select few shops like Gruber Motors and Electrified Garage, hopefully, that will change in the future.

Without further ado, check out the video to learn more about the Model S battery repair and how Rich was able to save the owner loads of money. Once you’ve watched, don’t forget to drop us a line in the comment section below. We’d love to know what you think of Rich’s Tesla Bot.

Tesla will now send push notifications when 12V battery needs to be replaced

Tesla is seemingly now issuing push notifications when the vehicle’s 12V battery needs to be replaced.

Twitter user BLKMDL3 shared a screenshot of a notification he received from Tesla that informed him his 12V battery must be replaced soon. It also encourages him to schedule a service appointment to replace the battery.

“Really smart, hope they add push notifications when you have low tire pressure or other important alerts,” BLKMDL3 says in the tweet.

Since Tesla has access to virtually every piece of information on the vehicle, it certainly seems like a welcomed feature to notify owners if anything needs to be repaired or replaced, like windshield wipers, wiper fluid, or a headlamp.

The 12V battery in Teslas powers smaller motors and functions around the vehicle, including lights, power window motors, wiper motors, power lift gate, washer fluid pumps, ABS electronics, the main display and more.

Last year, Tesla switched away from using a 12V lead-acid battery to a lithium-ion battery. Lead-acid batteries perform well in gasoline-powered vehicles because they produce the high output needed to start the engine. However, that high output is not needed in an electric vehicle.

Lithium-ion batteries last longer, weigh less and are much better optimized for electric vehicles, as they will last the lifetime of the vehicle and never need to be changed.

Whether you have a lead-acid or lithium-ion low-voltage battery, they’re both charged through the vehicle’s main battery pack instead of an alternator like a traditional vehicle.

With Tesla at the forefront of battery technology, specifically for vehicles, a study conducted by Dr. Jeff Dahn and his team at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada, says that the Austin-based automotive company may be able to produce batteries that last 100 years. Dahn and his team has been working exclusively with Tesla since 2015 to develop new Li-ion batteries.

Earlier this year, Tesla started delivering Model Ys from their Austin, Texas Gigafactory with their new 4680 battery pack. These battery packs have already seen impressive charging rates and are showing very promising potential.

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Tesla To Showcase Semi Performance and Efficiency in ‘Run on Less’ Trucking Event

May 8, 2023
By Kevin Armstrong

One of PepsiCo’s Tesla Semis
Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District

Tesla’s Semi is set to participate in the Run on Less trucking industry event beginning September 11. In collaboration with PepsiCo, Tesla will showcase its innovative, sustainable approach to trucking as the first independent performance data for Tesla’s all-electric Class 8 semi-truck is unveiled during the three-week event. Tesla’s participation in the event is highly anticipated, given the company’s reputation for disrupting the automotive sector.

In an interview with Automotive News, Amanda DeVoe, sustainability and technology director of the fleet at PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay North America division, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying, «We’re really excited to participate in the run and allow the industry to have access to the insights and the learnings that we are getting from experiencing these vehicles.»

First independent performance data of Tesla’s Semi

The Run on Less event will closely monitor the performance of the Tesla Semi, providing invaluable insights into the electric truck’s real-world capabilities. This information will be of great importance to the trucking and freight industries, as Tesla’s revolutionary electric class 8 truck has the potential to redefine sustainable trucking.

Throughout the event, the Tesla Semi will be put to the test, operating with maximum payload and traveling up to 500 miles round trip. Data sets made public during the event will include distance traveled, the effect of speed and distance on a battery charge, and weather conditions encountered by the vehicles. With trucks operating from seven depots in California and one in New York, the event will offer a comprehensive look at the performance of electric trucks in various conditions.

Event to showcase the real-world capabilities versus the Competition

The Run on Less event will feature electric trucks from other brands, such as Nikola, Freightliner, and Volvo. However, the focus on Tesla’s Semi underscores the company’s significance in the electric vehicle market and the trucking industry’s eagerness to learn more about its revolutionary technology.

Tesla has already made impressive claims about the Semi, including a range of 300 to 500 miles and the ability to charge up to 70 percent of its range in just 30 minutes. Additionally, the electric semi-truck is projected to save $200,000 in fuel expenses over three years of operation, highlighting the potential for environmental and financial benefits.

As the trucking industry eagerly awaits the results of the Run on Less event, all eyes are on Tesla to showcase the future of sustainable trucking and the true capabilities of its electric Class 8 truck. This event marks an exciting step forward in Tesla’s ongoing mission to revolutionize the automotive and trucking industries.