ultraturtle
Well-known member
I'd appreciate any help I can get interpreting just what BMW's 8 year, 100,000 mile (certain to be higher in CARB states) USA battery warranty will cover:
I get that if the battery pack fails to produce any power at all during that time/mileage window, it gets replaced, but would like to know if there is any documented capacity degradation value that would also be covered under warranty.
There is an assertion on a Tesla forum (near the bottom of http://www.teslamotors.com/forum/forums/battery-warranty-model-s) that "On the BMW i3 homepage you will find "The high-voltage battery is guaranteed for eight years or 100,000 km for 70% of the charging capacity"", but I have been unable to find the reference. I seem to recall that one of the European Nations (perhaps UK?) requires such a capacity warranty for all BEVs, so it may exist, but be limited to the few nations that have established such a requirement by law.
For reference, there apparently is no such federal requirement in the USA. As an example, despite a bunch of urban myths throwing 70% and 75% numbers about, Tesla specifically declines to provide any capacity guarantee, stating in its warranty:
Trying to plan for the long term, as I do not normally operate cars for less than 10 years, and am hoping to keep this one for decades.
I'll be ordering a REx, because my wife's daily commute is 58 miles round trip (65% at 70mph) which will probably be possible to accomplish on electrical power at moderate temperatures for the first 62,000 miles or so, but not after the battery capacity degrades beyond approximately 80% of its initial capacity. I'm hoping that a 70% warranty number will equate to a 80% or better design number. Luckily, that usage will take her about 8 years, at which time (given current trends of double energy density every ~8 years and halving costs per kwh every ~10) I will likely be able to replace the battery pack with one of similar capacity at half current cost, or roughly double capacity at the same cost.
I get that if the battery pack fails to produce any power at all during that time/mileage window, it gets replaced, but would like to know if there is any documented capacity degradation value that would also be covered under warranty.
There is an assertion on a Tesla forum (near the bottom of http://www.teslamotors.com/forum/forums/battery-warranty-model-s) that "On the BMW i3 homepage you will find "The high-voltage battery is guaranteed for eight years or 100,000 km for 70% of the charging capacity"", but I have been unable to find the reference. I seem to recall that one of the European Nations (perhaps UK?) requires such a capacity warranty for all BEVs, so it may exist, but be limited to the few nations that have established such a requirement by law.
For reference, there apparently is no such federal requirement in the USA. As an example, despite a bunch of urban myths throwing 70% and 75% numbers about, Tesla specifically declines to provide any capacity guarantee, stating in its warranty:
- "The battery, like all lithium-ion batteries, will experience gradual energy or power loss with time and use. Loss of battery energy or power over time or due to or resulting from battery usage is NOT covered under this Battery Limited Warranty" (http://www.teslamotors.com/sites/de...roadside_assistance_safety_and_warranty_0.pdf)
Trying to plan for the long term, as I do not normally operate cars for less than 10 years, and am hoping to keep this one for decades.
I'll be ordering a REx, because my wife's daily commute is 58 miles round trip (65% at 70mph) which will probably be possible to accomplish on electrical power at moderate temperatures for the first 62,000 miles or so, but not after the battery capacity degrades beyond approximately 80% of its initial capacity. I'm hoping that a 70% warranty number will equate to a 80% or better design number. Luckily, that usage will take her about 8 years, at which time (given current trends of double energy density every ~8 years and halving costs per kwh every ~10) I will likely be able to replace the battery pack with one of similar capacity at half current cost, or roughly double capacity at the same cost.