2035

[fastpakr]

I don't think the factory designs are set up to make the process simple for an end user, no. But they're being assembled from a few pretty common cell types. 18650's, 21700's, and a few other larger ones that are just coming to the market. So a business with the equipment to break down a pack and test/replace could certainly do so. I'm starting to get interested in building a small pack as a test project for my son's motorcycle to begin the learning process. It's clearly going to be a useful skillset in the future.

 

[stmitch]

Right now, I can go order the larger extended range Mach-E pack for $23,648. Not the dealer cost, but as a retail customer.

LJ9Z10B759A - Ford Drive Motor Battery Pack Assembly | Lakeland Ford, Lakeland FL

Genuine Ford Part # LJ9Z10B759A (LJ8Z5811778B, LJ9Z-10B759-A, NJ9Z10B759A) - Drive Motor Battery Pack Assembly. Fits Mustang Mach-E. Ships from Lakeland Ford, Lakeland FL

parts.lakelandford.com

So no, nowhere near 40 thousand dollars.

And the idea that complete battery packs will be replaced as entirely new units is going away. Battery packs can be overhauled - remove the BMS, locate problematic cells, and replace them with working units. The sky is not falling here. Assuming you buy a new Mach E now and your battery pack fails down the road somewhere outside of the warranty period, the likely solution will not be to order a new unit but to either have your own unit overhauled or to order one that has already been through that process.

It looks like the same site offers smaller battery modules as well to avoid full battery replacement:

LJ9Z10D672U - Ford Array assembly - tra. Array service kit | Lakeland Ford Online Parts, Lakeland FL

Genuine Ford Part # LJ9Z10D672U (LJ9Z-10D672-U, LJ9Z10D672F, LJ9Z10D672Y) - Array assembly - tra. Array service kit. Fits Mustang Mach-E. Ships from Lakeland Ford Online Parts, Lakeland FL

parts.lakelandford.com

 

[Curious Hound]

They are definitely made of individual cells. How replaceable those are, is a toss up. Typically, mixing cells of different age/condition is not advisable. I don't know if newer battery technology is changing that.

 

[fastpakr]

The mixing cells bit is something I only have a vague understanding of at the moment. My first impression was that it involved testing the present capacity of the others in the same set and matching it with a new cell of that capacity rather than one rated at the original capacity of those cells.

 

[Curious Hound]

The mixing cells bit is something I only have a vague understanding of at the moment. My first impression was that it involved testing the present capacity of the others in the same set and matching it with a new cell of that capacity rather than one rated at the original capacity of those cells.

That would make sense. But it complicates the process and inventorying of cells.

 

[fastpakr]

For sure. Definitely something that would take patience to learn and do. But a huge improvement both environmentally and financially over just tossing an entire assembly as rubbish.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

That would make sense. But it complicates the process and inventorying of cells.

I am picturing "rebuilt" alternators.

They blow apart cores, sort all the good parts in buckets and then reassemble with used parts that tested good...

 

[fastpakr]

Pretty much. Disassemble the packs and flag the bad cells, then sort the good ones by capacity and type for later use. Or if it's just a couple of bad cells, grab replacements out of the parts bin and turn it around quickly.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Hopefully they work better than "rebuilt" alternators...

 

[fastpakr]

Like anything else, it'll depend on the quality of the shop involved. I'm not about to buy a battery pack from the local chain auto parts store. But a dedicated shop with a good reputation? Absolutely.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I'm still a bit confused as to where all these raw materials are coming from to build all these batteries?

Maybe someone answered that already and I missed it.

 

[cbxer55]

I thought Commiefornia originally set that lofty goal for 2030? And maybe they're realizing the futility of it. LOL!!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

MSN

 

[Uncle Gump]

Oh the irony...

 

[Curious Hound]

I'm still a bit confused as to where all these raw materials are coming from to build all these batteries?

Maybe someone answered that already and I missed it.

Well, you scrape away all the trees, grass, bushes, flowers, etc. From a few hundred acres of land. Then you dig up what's under that, process it with a bunch of toxic chenicals, using a bunch of electricity along the way....