Nobody worries about a hidden $10k cost for an engine replacement (which, after labor... is probably what it actually costs for many vehicles if you want a bran

Nobody worries about a hidden $10k cost for an engine replacement (which, after labor... is probably what it actually costs for many vehicles if you want a brand new engine) 10 years down the road either. I treat this as a similar thing. If you actually want to redo it, you buy a used battery with less miles on it for much less than a new battery. Just like an engine/transmission/etc. The only difference is you lose range as the car ages... although for a gas car, it probably gets less efficient with age too (but, this is much less noticeable thanks to refueling times)