User replaceable/upgradeable battery?

Fattdogs

Member
First Name
Bryce
Joined
Apr 30, 2025
Threads
1
Messages
5
Reaction score
2
Location
Charlotte, NC, USA
Vehicles
2023 Ford Maverick
I know it won't be as easy to modify as say the backseats/panels. But the one feature that would make me keep an EV forever would be being able to replace the battery pack reasonably easy in a garage maybe with some help.

I'm curious how complex this would be on the slate
 

E90400K

Well-Known Member
First Name
Francis
Joined
Apr 26, 2025
Threads
1
Messages
55
Reaction score
52
Location
Toledo
Vehicles
E90 & Mach E
You'd need training on handling the high voltage battery so as to not electrocute yourself. Have understanding of how to disconnect the battery cooling system, then reconnect the cooling system and bleed it free of air, which may require special equipment. And devise an apparatus to lift the battery out-of and in-to place. And then pay shipping to deliver the battery to you and take away the used battery. Again, specialized transport due to the high voltage risks.

For liability purposes, I doubt SLATE will publish the DIY instructions.
 
Last edited:

zipn

Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2025
Threads
1
Messages
16
Reaction score
18
Location
memphsi, tn
Vehicles
25 ford maverick hybrid awd, 91 mazda miata
Would be nice if the battery was in smaller cells and expandable in ~50 kWh chunks. Add 1,2,3 or even 4 to expand the range.
Anyone know if the batteries are actively cooled/heated?
 
OP
OP

Fattdogs

Member
First Name
Bryce
Joined
Apr 30, 2025
Threads
1
Messages
5
Reaction score
2
Location
Charlotte, NC, USA
Vehicles
2023 Ford Maverick
You'd need training on handling the high voltage battery so as to not electrocute yourself. Have understanding of how to disconnect the battery cooling system, then reconnect the cooling system and bleed it free of air, which may require special equipment. And devise an apparatus to lift the battery out-of and in-to place. And then pay shipping to deliver the battery to you and take away the used battery. Again, specialized transport due to the high voltage risks.

For liability purposes, I doubt SLATE will publish the DIY instructions.
I'm not saying that they should publish DIY instructions, but that the engineering behind it would be more user conscious. Unlike say Tesla where you have to rip out the entire interior to get to the batteries.

There's also quick disconnects for wiring and no leak quick disconnects for cooling lines.
 
OP
OP

Fattdogs

Member
First Name
Bryce
Joined
Apr 30, 2025
Threads
1
Messages
5
Reaction score
2
Location
Charlotte, NC, USA
Vehicles
2023 Ford Maverick
Would be nice if the battery was in smaller cells and expandable in ~50 kWh chunks. Add 1,2,3 or even 4 to expand the range.
Anyone know if the batteries are actively cooled/heated?
Heck, if there was battery extenders to just throw in the bed, I'd use those for longer road trips
 
First Name
Mike
Joined
Apr 28, 2025
Threads
1
Messages
5
Reaction score
1
Location
Deteoit, MI
Vehicles
Ford Mach-E
Would be nice if the battery was in smaller cells and expandable in ~50 kWh chunks. Add 1,2,3 or even 4 to expand the range.
Anyone know if the batteries are actively cooled/heated?
According to The Verge article by Tim Stevens, the Extended Range Battery is not a different Pack, it is an Add-On (additional) Pack. So they add a 2nd Pack.
Slate would not allow DIY High Voltage work, but every else thus far is fair game.
 

E90400K

Well-Known Member
First Name
Francis
Joined
Apr 26, 2025
Threads
1
Messages
55
Reaction score
52
Location
Toledo
Vehicles
E90 & Mach E
I'm not saying that they should publish DIY instructions, but that the engineering behind it would be more user conscious. Unlike say Tesla where you have to rip out the entire interior to get to the batteries.

There's also quick disconnects for wiring and no leak quick disconnects for cooling lines.
Quick disconnects for wiring and cooling lines adds cost to items that have low or no service intervals. How many mass production cars have you seen have no-leak quick disconnects for cooling hoses? None.
 

Cody

Member
First Name
Cody
Joined
Apr 26, 2025
Threads
6
Messages
12
Reaction score
20
Location
NY
Vehicles
Mini
I'm not saying that they should publish DIY instructions, but that the engineering behind it would be more user conscious. Unlike say Tesla where you have to rip out the entire interior to get to the batteries.

There's also quick disconnects for wiring and no leak quick disconnects for cooling lines.
It's possible. For example, the Mach-E battery is a relatively easy to drop / replace. Here's instructions:
 

Attachments

E90400K

Well-Known Member
First Name
Francis
Joined
Apr 26, 2025
Threads
1
Messages
55
Reaction score
52
Location
Toledo
Vehicles
E90 & Mach E
According to The Verge article by Tim Stevens, the Extended Range Battery is not a different Pack, it is an Add-On (additional) Pack. So they add a 2nd Pack.
Slate would not allow DIY High Voltage work, but every else thus far is fair game.
Want to calculate how heavy a 30kWh battery weighs 🤣🤣🤣

Around 800 pounds. That's not just getting thrown into the bed for times extended range is needed.
 

zipn

Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2025
Threads
1
Messages
16
Reaction score
18
Location
memphsi, tn
Vehicles
25 ford maverick hybrid awd, 91 mazda miata
There's already swappable batteries in China - drive up, swap out in a few minutes, drive off. It's technically possible to have a plug and play battery pack.
 
OP
OP

Fattdogs

Member
First Name
Bryce
Joined
Apr 30, 2025
Threads
1
Messages
5
Reaction score
2
Location
Charlotte, NC, USA
Vehicles
2023 Ford Maverick
Want to calculate how heavy a 30kWh battery weighs 🤣🤣🤣

Around 800 pounds. That's not just getting thrown into the bed for times extended range is needed.
Just gotta have to start hitting the gym! I got 18 months for those gains
 
First Name
Don
Joined
Apr 25, 2025
Threads
0
Messages
9
Reaction score
9
Location
Tampa
Vehicles
2001 Bullitt, 2004 Mystichrome Convertible, 2017 GT Premium
There's already swappable batteries in China - drive up, swap out in a few minutes, drive off. It's technically possible to have a plug and play battery pack.
Elon had promised this with the initial release of what became the Tesla P85 (the option was supposed to be the "ultimate quick charge" with a promised 15 minute execution time) - never happened AFAIK.
 
 
Top