A scarcity of requirements for restore and alternative of EV battery packs could result in larger insurance coverage premiums, based on a latest Reuters report (through Automotive Information).
Battery packs can characterize as much as 50% of an EV’s price ticket, usually making it uneconomical to interchange them, based on the report. And whereas there isn’t a commonplace process for addressing broken battery packs, it is extra widespread to interchange quite than restore. In some instances that would result in comparatively new autos being “totaled” by insurance coverage corporations over minor harm.
Automaker insurance policies on repairability of battery packs fluctuate, the report discovered. Ford stated particular person battery modules may very well be changed, and stated it had developed a neater method to substitute the battery pack tray if the skin is broken. Nissan and Renault additionally stated modules may very well be changed with out junking the entire pack, however indicated this might solely be achieved at dealerships or different manufacturer-associated services.
Polestar 2 battery pack
Stellantis stated it doesn’t restore batteries after crashes the place the airbags deploy, whereas the structural pack in newer variations of the Tesla Mannequin Y, utilizing 4680-format cells, cannot be repaired, based on the report.
Repairability may additionally be a difficulty with cell-to-pack tech that skips the modules for efficiency and energy-density features. Chinese language battery agency CATL is beginning to provide it to automakers, beginning with Geely’s Zeekr model, and doubtlessly increasing to future Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis fashions. Chinese language startup Beta Auto goals to advance the idea with cell-to-chassis functions, though thus far no firm has introduced plans to make use of both configuration in U.S.-market autos.
GM electrical pickup silhouette – from 2020 Ultium platform preview
Basic Motors stated its new Ultium battery packs are designed to be repaired on the module stage, and it has beforehand boasted that its wi-fi battery administration system and pack construction will permit new cell designs with out redesigning the pack—and it’d allow less complicated pack restore.
Whereas automakers cannot agree on whether or not a battery pack ought to be repaired or changed, they’re progressively coalescing round recycling these packs and their valuable supplies once they have really reached the tip of their helpful lives. GM has named Canada’s Li-Cycle as official recycler for Ultium battery cells, whereas Ford, Toyota, and the Volkswagen Group’s Audi and VW manufacturers have partnered with Redwood Supplies.