Tesla Model S P85 Battery Replacement

A Tesla Model S P85 battery replacement will likely run you about $13,000 to $14,000—and that’s assuming your technician doesn’t run into any complications.
Written by Sarah Gray
Reviewed by Pat Roache
A replacement battery pack for a Tesla Model S P85 will set you back at least $13,000 to $15,000—a little less than half the vehicle’s current fair market value.
The Tesla Model S P85—also known as the Tesla Model S Performance—was built between 2012 and 2014 and outfitted with an 85 kWh battery pack. In other words, the P in P85 stands for Performance, and the 85 stands for (you guessed it) 85 KwH. 
The going rate for
full battery replacement
in a Performance P85 is at least $13,000, and the warranty on all P85 batteries from this time has expired. That means you’ll be footing the bill on your own since these replacements aren’t covered by
car insurance
—unless it was damaged in a covered accident.
If you think it might be time to replace your Tesla Model S’s battery, check out this guide to learn how much you should expect to pay. 

How much does it cost to replace a Tesla Model S P85 battery?

Battery prices are currently hovering around $135 per kWh. If you’re looking to replace an 85 kWh battery, you should expect to pay about $11,500—but that’s just for the battery. Replacing an EV battery is no DIY task, so you’ll be looking at labor costs, too. 
The average EV battery replacement takes anywhere from 3 to 13 hours, and Tesla Service Centers tend to charge $175 to $200 per hour. That’s an additional $525 to $2,600 on top of that base battery price. Add a couple of hundred extra dollars for miscellaneous parts, and it’s easy to see how you could wind up spending close to or upwards of $15,000 to replace your 2012 to 2014 Tesla Model S Performance’s battery.
At this point, you’re probably wondering whether this high replacement cost is worth it. The answer to that question depends on you. If you wanted to pick up a used Model S P85 from a private party,
Kelley Blue Book
estimates you’ll pay between $25,000 and $39,000, depending on the year you select and the vehicle’s condition. That means a new battery for that same car would cost you more than or about half the car’s value
So, should you just buy a new Model S? If you’ve got the cash, go for it! Even the base model offers a larger battery pack than the P85, so you’ll have a longer range. Plus it’ll be covered under Tesla’s EV battery warranty, which covers you for 8 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. But if you thought dropping $15k on a new battery was expensive, it’s actually dirt cheap next to a new
Model S’s MSRP range
of $105,000 to $136,000.   
So what other options do you have?
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Can you put a new battery in an old Tesla Model S P85?

New Tesla batteries are larger, so they offer more range than the 85 kWh battery you’ll find in the Model P85. So can you just pop one of the newer batteries into your older Model S? The answer, according to Tesla is yes, but also no. 
The higher kWh battery packs will fit, but the older Model S’s system wasn’t designed to handle the weight or power of the larger packs. According to Tesla, you can likely get away with upgrading to a 90 kWh pack, but to upgrade to the current 100 kWh pack would require structural reinforcements that would make the upgrade even more financially prohibitive than replacing these batteries already is.
And that brings up another point—the larger batter you buy, the more it’ll cost. Adding another 5 kWh to your new Tesla battery will also add about another $650 to the price tag. So, if you’re looking for ways to make replacing your Model S P85 battery cheaper, this isn’t one of them.

Tesla Model S P85 battery capacity and range 

The Model S P85 refers to a very specific Model S Performance trim built between June 2012 and November 2014. There was only one battery option for the vehicle, and the specs for it are outlined in the table below.
Model years
Battery capacity
Driving range
2012–2014
85 kWh
265 miles
MORE: Tesla Model S trunk space

How long does a Tesla Model S P85 battery last?

Your Tesla battery is built to last for at least 300,000 to 500,000 miles—well past the actual EV battery warranty. However, just because it’s built to last that long, that doesn’t mean it actually will. A lot depends on your driving style, how and how often you charge your Tesla, and the typical weather conditions you drive and store your Tesla. 
If you’re driving a Tesla Model S P85, your EV battery warranty is probably up, but there’s still plenty you can do to help your battery last as long as possible. Here are a few of the simplest ways to get the most out of any EV battery:
  • Avoid high temperatures. Battery-operated devices don’t like excessive heat any more than people do. Large as it is, your Tesla Model S P85 is still another battery-operated device. Keeping it cool by parking it in the shade or a cooled garage during warmer months can help you extend its battery life.
  • Skip the fast charger. This is one you probably don’t want to hear, but if you want to maximize your EV battery’s longevity, skip the fast charging stations. Charging affects your battery like driving affects your tires, and fast charging is a lot like doing a burnout. It doesn’t destroy your battery, but it wears it out much faster than a Level 2 or Level 1 charger.
  • Don’t shoot for 100%. Keeping your EV at a constant 100% charge or leaving it plugged in all the time while you’re not driving can fry your battery. If you don’t find yourself regularly using a large percentage of your Model S P85’s battery charge, aim to charge it to just 80–85% to help extend your battery’s life. 
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