Volkswagen To Basically Guarantee EV Batteries For The Life Of The Car

Volkswagen's Center of Excellence for Battery Cells chief Frank Blome said that the goal for the upcoming MEB-based electric car is to guarantee a minimum capacity of 70% for eight years or 160,000 km (around 100,000 miles).

The battery pack is expected to last as long as the cars. Because cars are generally used a lot longer than eight years, we assume that the base scenario is to use the original batteries as long as possible, despite gradual capacity fade, to the point when the car is too old/costly to maintain.

Blome said also that the new generation of models (I.D. family) are essentially cars built around the battery.

malba2367 - 5/1/2019 10:43:40 AM

+4 Boost

They are guaranteeing the battery for 8 years/100K miles...The average age of vehicles in the US is 11.6 years (probably something similar in Europe as well). I am not sure how this got spun into a guarantee for "the life of the car".

qwertyfla1 - 5/2/2019 8:21:40 AM

+1 Boost

— malba2367

It is the same guarantee as "Clean Diesel" and I'm sure the warranty is full of weasel clauses to deny payment in the event of any claims...

SanJoseDriver - 5/1/2019 10:56:17 AM

0 Boost

That is the same warranty Tesla has been offering since day 1 for the battery and motors: https://www.tesla.com/support/vehicle-warranty

EVs are also designed to last much longer than 100k miles, that is probably only half the life or less.

mre30 - 5/1/2019 11:09:23 AM

+1 Boost

Is there warranty coverage if the Tesla becomes a fireball?

SanJoseDriver - 5/2/2019 4:36:26 AM

+1 Boost

I've had one for 6, still going strong.

PUGPROUD - 5/1/2019 11:24:14 AM

+2 Boost

A 30% decline in capacity is significant reducing a claimed range of 200 miles to only 140 miles. It would be comparable to an ICE going from 20mpg to 14mpg. Definitely noticeable and cause a change in how you perceive and operate your vehicle.

SanJoseDriver - 5/2/2019 4:39:35 AM

+1 Boost

That's the point at which the warranty kicks in. Very few cars will get a 30% decline over 8 years. I've gotten about a 5% decline in range over 6 years on the Model S. Also 8 years from now batteries will be super cheap and likely solid state (more power, lighter, safer).

MDarringer - 5/1/2019 6:47:50 PM

-2 Boost

The life of a VW is about 50K miles before they go to hell and require massive repairs.