Tesla drivers unsettled: LG batteries from China with surprisingly high failure rates

Renowned Croatian repair shop EV Clinic has expressed "serious concerns" about the LG NCM811 battery packs used in Tesla's Model 3 and Model Y. While Panasonic batteries are expected to reach the end of their lifespan after 400,000 kilometers, the Chinese LG EV batteries appear to provide just over 250,000 kilometers.

EV Clinic cites the exceptionally high internal resistance of the LG battery cells as the primary problem. Even upon delivery, the resistance is at a level that would be considered a cell defect in Panasonic battery packs. According to the Croatian battery repair shop's report, a Panasonic cell typically has an internal resistance of 10 milliohms, while a new cell from LG Nanjing has 28 milliohms or more.

Defective batteries usually need to be replaced

EV Clinic also warns that LG battery packs cannot be repaired by simply replacing cells in more than 90% of the cases received by the battery repair shop. This is because several cells are affected by extremely high resistance values. Due to cascade effects, the defect spreads and so the only option is to replace the entire battery pack with one from Panasonic.

EV Clinic currently estimates the loss incurred by testing whether defective LG batteries can still be repaired at more than $20,000 per month. Hence, the specialist workshop describes the Chinese LG battery cells of type NCM811 as "catastrophic". In addition, EV Clinic now charges a fee for testing whether the LG battery pack can still be repaired at all.