Johnny Bacigalupo and Rob Hussey, residents of Edinburgh, were left stunned when they were informed that repairing their Tesla's battery would cost them over $20,000.
The culprit?
Rainwater infiltration, which, to their dismay, was not covered under the car's eight-year warranty.
The couple initially discovered the issue when their Tesla wouldn't start. They promptly arranged for the vehicle to be transported to a Tesla service center in Edinburgh. A few days later, they received a call informing them that water damage had compromised the battery.
"I was expecting a bill ranging from 500 to 1,000 pounds. When they quoted over 20,000, I was close to having a heart attack," Bacigalupo told Edinburgh Live.
Battery replacement costs on the rise
Elon Musk had previously estimated in 2019 that a Tesla battery replacement could cost between $5,000 and $10,000.
However, current figures suggest a different story.
According to Recurrent magazine, which specializes in electric vehicle battery status, the cost of replacing a Tesla battery in 2023 could range from $5,000 to $20,000.
This incident echoes a similar situation that occurred a year ago involving a Tesla owner in Canada. Mario Zelaya faced a $26,000 bill for a battery replacement for his Tesla Model S.
He shared his experience in a TikTok video, revealing that he eventually sold his Tesla. Zelaya had to spend an additional $32 to retrieve ownership documents locked inside the inoperable vehicle.
It's worth noting that electric vehicle batteries can degrade at varying rates due to multiple factors, including charging methods and daily driving conditions.
The experience of Bacigalupo and Hussey serves as a cautionary tale for electric vehicle owners, highlighting the importance of understanding the limitations of warranties and the potential costs involved in battery replacements.
