How long do electric car batteries last?

Generally, electric car batteries last for as long as the rest of the car. But like with your phone or laptop battery, they degrade over time. Ultimately the cells should still be providing at least 70 percent of their capacity even after 200,000 miles, which is the sort of mileage that few cars ever reach, whether they’re ICE or EV.

Can EV batteries last longer?

However, while secondhand prices for EVs have been plummeting, evidence is building that their batteries could last longer than the eight-year warranties most come with. In fact, they could still be very usable even after 20 years, potentially giving full-electric cars a longer useful life than many fossil-fuel equivalents.

How long does a lithium ion battery last?

The truth is that when treated correctly most modern lithium-ion units are likely to last the lifetime of the car. Even so, most firms cover the battery with a separate, extended warranty. Most car warranties are around three years and 60,000 miles, but this is increased for the battery element in EVs.

How often do EV batteries degrade?

The company says how, with a sample size of 5,000 EVs representing 1.5 million days of ownership, the average battery degrades by 1.8 per cent per year. Some electric cars, the company says, have batteries that degrade by just one per cent each year.

How long do EV battery warranties last?

However, most EV battery warranties come with an important caveat; the maximum charge capacity of the battery can fall to a certain percentage in those eight years, without it being considered broken. This is usually pegged at 70 percent.

Do EV batteries deteriorate over time?

That means the car could still cover around 250 miles per charge – which is plenty for many, many drivers, give the average daily mileage in the UK is about 25 miles. So, while EV batteries do deteriorate over time – that’s just how the chemistry of lithium batteries works – age or milage aren’t reasons enough to be fearful of older electric cars.