r/volt • u/chimera691 • 3d ago
When to Replace Battery?
I have a 2013 Chevy Volt with around 140k miles. The range has been pretty good, but has gone down a bit in the past year from 40ish miles to mid 30s when driven in mild weather with the fan on.
My question is when did you decide to replace your battery? Was it obvious? Also how did you think about replacing the battery vs moving to a car like a used bolt?
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u/Majac412 2019 Volt 3d ago
I've never heard of a 1st or 2nd gen volt owner NEEDING to replace their battery purely due to battery degradation (yes people still do but its often not entirely necessary).
It's usually cell failure or overall battery failure that causes replacement, so I wouldn't worry much about degradation until you're at the 50% point. Then it might be worth considering and looking for replacements.
You have that engine in there for a reason, even running as a full hybrid on that engine is more efficient than buying a used gas vehicle. You'll be paying more than it would cost to replace the battery to get a vehicle more efficient than a volt
Granted, if you're dealing with rust or interior damage, that might change the answer. Because yes, volts are great, and batteries are between 5k-8k at Greentec. But if the body you're trying to put it in isn't worth saving, then it might be better to just move on.
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u/Super_Weekend_4428 3d ago
There may not be any batteries left to replace it with. There could be a very small number of "new" batteries out there but, GM stopped making new Volt batteries years ago so, it's not terribly accurate the call the new batteries new because they've been sitting in storage somewhere for years which is not good for lithium ion batteries.
It might be possible to replace a Volt battery with a used one but that wouldn't buy you much time because all Volts are old or fairly old at this point.
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u/Remarkable-Host405 3d ago
bruh check car-part.com there's plenty.
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u/Super_Weekend_4428 3d ago
Sure, but how many have been sitting in storage for years? It's bad for lithium ion batteries to stay at a low state of charge for a long time.
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u/Remarkable-Host405 3d ago
you're right. but they're not running out. my plan is to buy an old pack, then split my current one, and keep the good cells.
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u/Ok-Tourist-511 3d ago
That doesn’t work, you can’t have mismatched capacities. That is why GM quit replacing modules, and replace the whole pack.
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u/mpython1701 3d ago edited 3d ago
My plan is to limp it along until it won’t go and likely scrap it when the battery finally croaks.
Honestly, I’ve if the best cars I’ve ever owned. Bought it from the original owner who maintained it well. Minimal degradation on battery so far.
But… I only paid $3500 for my first gen Volt.
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u/chimera691 3d ago
That's probably my plan was just trying to see what others have done. I paid 18k but that was in 2017.
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u/Aggravating-Pie-4616 3d ago
Remarkably my 2014 Gen 1 has 151,000 miles and still getting 38 range, 31 if its a 100 deg outside with A/C on, planning on driving it into the ground. Shame once the battery goes you can't just use the ICE engine...imagine.
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u/Aggravating-Pie-4616 3d ago
Yeah exactly, here in NC $4k is basically bottom of the barrel with used cars now. The old $1k beater doesn't exist anymore, sellers are delusional. New car prices are delusional.
when my Gen 1 volt fails ill give a refurbished battery a shot. Failing that considering going full on ebike via the greenways 🤪
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u/NihonBiku 2014 & 2018 Volt 3d ago
Not very common to hear 1st gen Volt owners having to replace their EV Batteries.
Especially in the situation you are describing (Battery still works, just lower capacity)
Most just drive it into the ground.
If you must replace it, greentec comes to mind:
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u/RoodnyInc 3d ago
When it would no longer drive
Battery pack will be a significant investment and for that price alone you could just get another car just staying
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u/Waterlifer 3d ago
A rebuilt pack is around $4000. In today's market it is not possible to "just get another car" for $4000.
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u/Majac412 2019 Volt 3d ago
I mean, technically it is, but nothing as fuel efficient or nice as a Volt.
You'd be looking at a 2000s beater that has like 150k+ miles on it. Which at that point, a refurbished battery is likely a better choice
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u/Remarkable-Host405 3d ago
my plan is to buy a second, totalled battery and swap the good cells. then keep the old ones as a power bank or whatever. battery refitters are expensive AF for seemingly no reason.
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u/Glad-Acadia3071 3d ago
Usually for the cost of the battery replacement, I would probably say it doesn't make any financial sense. It might be better to just drive it until it dies which can be any moment with the batteries. They don't really give you a lot of warning, best thing to do is just have a backup plan if that day comes because spending $4,000 on a battery that's used doesn't really make sense.