Replacing the battery in an electric car can be 50% cheaper at independent repair shops.

The fear of replacing the battery has a fundamental reason. In certain older cars, replacing the entire battery pack can cost more than the car itself on the used market. The range of prices varies greatly depending on the brand, which adds to customer confusion. This is especially frustrating when the rest of the car is still in good condition to be driven. However, replacing the entire battery with a new one isn’t always the only solution, and the growing availability of used parts can expand options.

It is also important to distinguish between a battery that has lost capacity and one that has suffered a failure. Having less range than when it left the dealership does not necessarily mean it is time to replace it. And when a failure occurs, the possibility of repair depends on both the affected component and the design of the battery pack as well as the facilities available at the repair shop.

Until now, one of the obstacles has been finding the right replacement parts outside the official network. The increase in used electric vehicles on the market, along with the disassembly of units taken out of service, is beginning to create an supply that was virtually non-existent before. This is where salvage yards, repair specialists, and platforms connecting battery buyers and sellers come in.

Used batteries to extend the life of electric vehicles

Models such as the Renault Zoe and Nissan Leaf are among the key players in this new phase. Their first generations have been on the road for years, with some units reaching the end of their useful life while others require repairs to continue functioning. Just because a car is retired doesn’t necessarily mean its battery is no longer useful—it can retain value as a replacement part or for other applications.

According to Felix Wagner, head of Circunomics, as quoted by Auto Plus, the variety of spare parts can benefit the repair market. A workshop can disassemble a Tesla in the morning and a Renault in the afternoon, obtaining very different components. This diversity makes it difficult to supply large storage projects that require large quantities of identical modules, but it can be useful for repairing specific models.

In addition to these offerings, there are also surplus batteries from manufacturers. These are batteries that were produced or purchased but have not yet found a use. Storing them does not stop them from aging, so finding a market for them makes economic sense. That said, a surplus battery does not automatically become a valid replacement—it must be compatible with the vehicle it is intended for.

The market is already taking concrete steps. Circumomics reported that by the end of September, its platform had gathered nearly 90 listings with a total capacity of almost 2 GWh. The offerings included new batteries, surplus units, used packs, modules, cells, and storage systems. These figures are from this single platform, not the entire European market, but they show that an organized supply is beginning to emerge.

For drivers, the most interesting outcome would be having several options and solutions available when a breakdown occurs. Repairing the affected component, installing a refurbished pack, or opting for a compatible used one can help keep a car that would otherwise be discarded due to the cost of a new battery. Wagner estimates that a more significant phase for this independent market will arrive between 2030 and 2032, though this is just a prediction.

How much money are we talking about? According to available data, the approximate costs range from 4,500 to 12,000 euros for a complete replacement including labor, with prices reaching between 20,000 and 23,000 euros for high-performance or luxury models. These are not universal rates: battery capacity, pack architecture, the replacement part used, and the workshop can all significantly affect the cost.

The same publication states that certain module replacements cost between 1,500 and 4,000 euros, and mentions savings of 30% to 50% when opting for used or refurbished packs compared to a new one. It’s necessary to check what each offer includes, its warranty, and the certified condition of the battery. However, the point raised is interesting: having more repair options can make a difference between continuing to use an electric car or retiring it early.