While the technology behind electric vehicles and their batteries has unquestionably made significant strides, their reliability and cost haven't quite hit the sweet spot. This reality hit home when the owner of a 2022 Hyundai IONIQ had to write off his brand-new car because the battery replacement cost surpassed the $55,000 he initially shelled out for the EV.
From Western Journal:
Less than a year later, he had a small accident that led to some gouges and warping of the battery protector cover on the car’s undercarriage. That small amount of damage led to a shocking and disheartening situation for the car owner that is costing him thousands.
Hsu took the car to the dealership where he purchased the car and asked them to assess the damage. What they told him amazed and infuriated him and should serve as a warning to anyone looking to buy an EV.
The story is going viral after a couple who host the Motormouth video podcast, Zack and Andrea Spencer, posted a video about the EV owner’s wretched experience, according to the Vancouver Sun.
The dealership told Hsu that the damage to the undercarriage meant that his battery pack constituted a hazard and that the battery was under threat of exploding, so it had to be replaced.
But the quote to replace the battery came in at $61,000 (which is $46,000 in U.S. dollars). That is a cost of $6,000 more than what he paid for the car when it was brand-new.
To call that cost astronomical would be putting it mildly.
Sure, maybe a few folks can handle that kind of repair bill, but for most regular Americans, it's just not in the cards.
