Electric vehicles are often lauded for their mechanical simplicity when compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Nevertheless, EVs are certainly not immune to their own unique issues, as demonstrated by a recent case involving a brand-new Chevy Silverado EV.
According to CTV News, Toronto resident George Filtsos says that he was forced to bring his brand-new 2024 Chevy Silverado EV RST in for a battery replacement after roughly 2,000 miles of use.
Filtsos purchased his new Silverado EV last November for approximately CA$140,000 ($97,383 at current exchange rates). Filtsos works in the green energy sector and was drawn to the truck’s impressive 724-kilometer (450-mile) range, but after driving just 3,300 kilometers, the vehicle began to display a series of battery error codes.
The diagnosis revealed a defective main battery, which was replaced under warranty. This replacement, valued at roughly CA$30,000 ($20,863 at current exchange rate), was covered by General Motors, but the truck remained in the shop for two months, leaving Filtsos frustrated and without his vehicle. During this period, he continued to make monthly payments of CA$2,000 ($1,391 at current exchange rates). Compounding the issue was the absence of any sort of lemon law, offering him little recourse. “If I have a lemon, I just want a new truck,” Filtsos remarked.
Thankfully, Filtsos eventually received a CA$4,000 ($2,782 at current exchange rates) reimbursement for the two months of payments and eventually got his truck back. While the repair process was lengthy, Filtsos expressed relief and gratitude, crediting the resolution to media attention brought by CTV News.
The report also underscores the growing need for specialized EV mechanics, given a shortage of trained technicians that often results in longer repair times. However, as GM Authority covered previously, Canada’s Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles (iZEV) program, which once offered up to CA$5,000 $3,477 at current exchange rates) in federal incentives for EV purchases, has been paused due to budget exhaustion.
As a reminder, the Chevy Silverado EV rides on the GM BT1 platform and is produced at the GM Factory Zero plant in Michigan.
79 workers affected.
Utilizing existing American manufacturing.
No other incentives offered on next-gen three-row crossover.
With a remedy currently in development.
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The vehicle costs $97,383 and the incentive program credited $3,477. That's 3.6% of the MSRP. How does a subsidy this small for a vehicle this expensive make any sense?
That's a federal rebate. Several provinces -- but not Ontario anymore thanks to a Conservative government -- have rebates as well that are stackable with the federal rebate.
Well that is Indeed pathetic.
This vehicles still have teething problems....and with demand there always is a chance of backorder. Cannot avoid it anymore afte Covid....
Anyways, good he got it resolved. Shows the dangers of buying a model with teething pains....
The average engine costs maybe $5k total to replace!!! yet, it cost $30K to replace this battery??? Who in their right mind is going to be able to afford to replace the batteries on these in 5, 10, 15 years!!!!!!!
Apples to apples please TNT. It doesn't cost 5k to replace a new engine at a dealership, you'd be hard pressed to get that number 3rd party with a used small NA four cylinder motor from a shop. This article clearly states it was 20k US for pretty much the largest batter in an EV sold today. Go see how much a new Diesel engine is to replace at a dealer, I bet you aren't far off; that is more apples to apples. They won't need replacing often, plenty of degradation shown out there for 200k+ miles on Teslas and others still showing around 90% left. So the same can be said when an engine craps out who can afford to replace that in 5, 10, 15+ years? And like engines, there are/will be 3rd party shops and aftermarket options and like a rebuild there will be refurbished setups. Again, apples to apples please....
@TMI
"Replacing an engine at a dealership can typically cost between $5,000 and $10,000 on average, but this can vary significantly depending on the vehicle make and model, engine type, and the dealership's labor rates; expect to pay on the higher end for a new engine replacement at a dealership, potentially reaching $12,000 to $15,000."
My father was a mechanic for 30+ years and could rebuild the top end of a small block chevy for $1500 just a few years ago!! So yes, it can be done. One does not have to take to a "stealership", since it's already out of warranty. People can take it to local shops and get better service, more qualified/honest mechanics that will do the job right and have integrity when doing it!!!
Also, $10k, $12k, or $15k is still cheaper than the $30k the video stated it costed to replace this battery.
I think as battery vehicles are more...the cost might go down. They still are in their early stages- am referring to the EV Silverado.
The electronics OTHER THAN THAT.....well.
Remember after you drive it an EV off the lot 90% of the public would never buy it as a used vehicle. In other words WORTHLESS!
I would apply the same label to your comment.
Wouldn’t have this issue if he had the diesel.
My new Sierra EV required a battery replacement after 1000 miles. Took 3 weeks and didn't require media attention to get it fixed, though maybe presence of a stringent CA lemon law helped. Still love the vehicle tho.
Agree it sucks to deal with these premature new EV theeting issues. However gm needs to expedite the training of EV technicians and tools to diagnose ASAP. (unlike Tesla EVs where each EV comes with 100% complete Diagnosis Software in each of their EV computers - Enabling remote diagnosis - How hard is that gm and others just follows the suit ? ) Is this due to poor execution or lack of vision about what really A true Software-Defined-EV-Architecture should be and It is a disgrace to wait two months to get proper diagnosis and wait for Parts for a NEW EV Trucks, while Car Loan Payment & Insurance costs does not pause !!!! these Silverado EV were sold in low 10,000 units in 2024. and yes, there are some with Battery issues, some leak ATF from their Electric Drive Train, Rear Camera issues, PowerBase issues, and many other Unresolved and Undiagnosed issues where service departments had no clues and in some cases and once properly diagnosed EV stuck in shop for months due to lack of spare parts the issue...This is only hurting these brands and erode the customer trust - hope gm takes these feedbacks seriously. Time will tell.
CANBUS usual Glitches (common in all Brands ) OLD, Very Noisy, Low Bandwidth Serial CANBUS protocol is the main culprit and the root cause of what is AKA Germline needs to be retired -and not to overload CANBUS with ever more and more sensors to overload this very noisy old protocol pushing it off the cliff, leading customer to get stranded on the side of the roads.
gm Please get rid of CANBUS 100% in favour of Automotive Multi-Giga Ethernet communication network. Improve upon the likes of GM Global-B or Tesla Etherloop with Fault tolerant communication capablity for Critical subsystems in all your cars and trucks ICE and EVs.
New technologies are risky. Early adopters sometimes pay the price. Every company must adapt themselves to unaware problems. A friend of mine waited eleven long months juste to get a lower chassis member for a Tesla X Founders Edition after an accident.
Such pricy vehicules should have a premium threatment from the constructors.