One enterprising mechanic took on the challenge of removing the Tesla Model 3 battery pack. The video makes it clear that the process is not for the faint of heart and clearly requires a lift, given the weight of the battery.
Walking through the process makes it clear that the Model 3 was not designed with battery swapping in mind and requires the removal of dozens of bolts, numerous high-voltage cables, and 7 or 8 coolant lines that run into and out of the battery pack.
The video shows that, while the pack largely maintains the flat profile that we have come to expect from today’s modern skateboard-style electric vehicles, it also has a significant bump that pushes up under the seats.
The video does not reveal why this vehicle was having its battery pack removed, but it appears to have had some front end damage prior to coming in for the pack removal. The guys on the video indicated that they were not able to find much information about the removal of the battery pack so were just feeling their way through it.
To get the pack out, a series of bolts that anchor the side rocker panels to the car had to be removed. After pulling that cover, another series of bolts was revealed that actually hold the rails of the pack to the frame. On the inside of the car, they had to remove the seats, and after pulling up the carpet, there were another 15 bolts, including 4 heavy-duty bolts that anchor the rear of the pack directly to the chassis under the rear seats.
The video does not indicate what they are planning to do with the pack, but we have already seen a number of electric vehicle conversion shops take the modules from the Tesla Model S battery pack to use in custom EV builds and even custom stationary energy storage installations, so one could presume this pack could be used for such an application — if it isn’t going right back into the car after some bodywork or other repairs.
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