As EVs are still new to many consumers, it’s natural for customers to have concerns, especially regarding battery packs, which are expensive to replace if out of warranty.
In a recent case, a Tata Tigor EV owner had a dead battery pack repaired for ₹55,000, instead of replacing it for ₹6 lakh.
Service Center Charges 6 Lakh To Replace Battery of Tata Tigor EV; Startup Charges ₹55,000
The case was shared on LinkedIn by Romesh Gupta, founder and MD of Yanti, a startup that specializes in AI-powered EV Battery Intelligence & Revival.
The customer approached Yanti with a completely immobile Tata Tigor EV.
Upon inspection, the team found that the charging port was showing zero volts, suggesting a possible battery failure.
Initially, they assumed the battery would need replacement, with Tata Motors quoting ₹6 lakh for it.
How Did They Change The Battery Within ₹55,000
For safety, the team isolated the battery before further diagnosis. They found that internal battery strings still had voltage and activity, giving hope for revival. A severe imbalance between cell groups was observed, likely causing the issue.
The team conducted controlled charging and slowly increased the voltage to 76.65V across a 21-cell string. No abnormal or thermal behavior was detected during charging.
They used a 15A active balancer to correct voltage discrepancies between cell groups. Cell voltages were successfully balanced to their designated upper cut-off levels. The battery was then left to rest and was later checked to confirm minimal voltage drift.
The next day, the team conducted a capacity test and recovered 84% of the battery’s original capacity. The revived battery was then reconnected to the vehicle’s BMS (Battery Management System) and tested under real-world conditions.
The battery cleared all performance benchmarks and was deemed fit for use.
The total cost of repair was ₹55,000, offering significant savings compared to replacement. This successful case highlights that repairing EV batteries can be a cost-effective solution for out-of-warranty cases.
Concerns About Taking EVs To Third Party Startup
However, there are concerns about taking EVs to third-party startups like Yanti for critical repairs. There’s uncertainty about liability if a repaired battery fails or catches fire.
If such an incident occurs, the manufacturer might avoid responsibility, blaming the customer for using unauthorized services.
It’s advised not to take vehicles under warranty to third-party workshops, as it may void the battery warranty.
Many EV manufacturers now offer lifetime warranties on batteries, which provides added assurance to customers.
