[lukevp]

With Prius batteries, there’s a whole refurb scene where people buy the whole pack, crack it open, find the underperforming cells, and replace those. And that’s for a very small battery. So I would guess the same will be done for EV packs, since “most of the time” the cells will wear unevenly and the whole pack won’t be bad at once. If you do need a pack replacement after 10 years though, you probably get more power and range and lighter weight, so you get an upgraded car at the same time.

[rdtwo]

I doubt car manufacturers would let that happen. They will drm the batteries because safety and you will be forced to buy a new one.

[blacksmith_tb]

Likely true, though the forbidden refurb batteries could be reused in conversions like these[1]. I am tempted to try a conversion of some silly old car (like my high-school Opel GT) but on the downside you don't get airbags, crumple zones etc. to go with your 21st-century electric motors and batteries...

1: https://electrek.co/2019/08/27/startup-electric-retrofits-te...

[diggernet]

I always thought that would be a perfect car for an electric conversion.

[sidewndr46]

I forget the exact model, but the manufacturer told some guy who owned a hybrid he needed a new battery. The cars on board diagnostic was saying the battery had no remaining capacity.

He carefully disassembled it, cleaned all the internal junctions, put it back together and the car worked fine afterwards.