[dm2]

The Model S 85kW battery pack is estimated to cost $12,000 and is estimated to last 10+ years.

The SolarCity Battery field-test uses 10kW Tesla batteries and is leased for $1,500 upfront and $15 per month. So, if the batteries degrade, it's Tesla/SolarCities responsibility to fix or replace them.

The Gigafactory will likely reduce costs significantly.

http://www.theverge.com/2015/2/13/8033691/why-teslas-battery...

Essential problem solved?

[Sir_Substance]

The list price for that pack according to these people is 44k.

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1096801_tesla-model-s-ba...

It looks like you drank the tesla dealers coolaid:

http://my.teslamotors.com/forum/forums/tesla-model-s-85kw-ba...

Bad luck.

[dm2]

This clearly states that the cost for a replacement 85kW battery will be $12,000.

http://www.teslamotors.com/blog/2013-model-s-price-increase

"We have received many requests for a Battery Replacement Option. We are happy to now offer this option for all three battery variants. This option will provide you a new battery anytime after the end of the eighth year at a fixed price. Prices are as follows: $8,000 for the 40 kWh battery, $10,000 for the 60 kWh battery, and $12,000 for the 85 kWh battery. You will be able to purchase this additional option through your MyTesla page in the near future."

I can't imagine that they would raise the price by 4 times. Where is the source for the $44,000 listed on the article you mentioned?

If there are 7,000 18650 batteries in a Tesla S battery pack and it's reasonable to assume that Tesla can produce (Gigafactory) these for $1 then the $12,000 seems perfectly reasonable. The current estimate for the cost of 18650s for Tesla is less than $2.

It's already been stated that the cost of a battery pack is less than a quarter the cost of the car, so the $44,000 is nothing but false. http://www.technologyreview.com/news/516961/how-tesla-is-dri...