The Tesla Roadster — not the nonexistent one that Musk keeps delaying but Tesla still keeps taking reservation money for, but the original — is getting on in years. With the original having debuted in 2008 and production running through 2012, many of the Roadsters that are still around likely have battery packs that are well past their lifespan. Replacing one through Tesla can be a pricey endeavor, so there’s a new aftermarket company that can not only do it for less money, but also increase the Roadster’s performance.
InsideEVs reports that a Texas-based company has the backs of Tesla Roadster owners. Re/Cell specializes in battery pack replacement for all Tesla models, including the old Roadster, for which it offers two versions of a battery pack. The larger pack has less capacity than the cars original battery, 47 kWh compared to 53 kWh, but even with less capacity, Re/Cell says owners will get close to the car’s original range (Re/Cell estimates over 210 miles on a charge) and have improved performance thanks to less weight.
By installing the pack, the Roadster also gets a performance upgrade. Power goes up from the standard 288 horsepower (215 kW) to 382 hp (285 kW), and with the estimated weight savings of 275 pounds (125 kg), the vehicle should feel a lot quicker. The standard car could hit sixty from a standstill in 3.7 seconds, so the time should drop close to the 3-second mark with the new battery. Re/Cell offers a smaller battery that sheds 400 pounds (180 kg) of weight, but it has a lower capacity of 38 kWh and an estimated range of over 180 miles. It offers a lower power boost to 322 hp (240 kW).
The original battery pack in the Roadster, which Tesla referred to as the Energy Storage System, weighed almost 1,000 pounds alone. The price for replacement is nearly as big as its weight: InsideEVs says Tesla charges over $40,000 for a new Roadster battery. Re/Cell’s is just over half that. As long as the original battery pack is free of defects, owners can trade them in for an $11,500 credit, which brings the price of the packs down to $24,895 or $27,895 for the larger one.
Speaking to InsideEVs, founder and president of Re/Cell Chad Maglaque even threw a bit of shade at Tesla over their battery’s price and weight.
“Replacement packs for the Roadster are expensive and overburdened, with an unnecessary focus on straight-line performance and range. The focus should instead be on handling and speed, to match the racing pedigree of its world-class performance chassis. In short, it should be planted and nimble.”