How Long Does An Electric Car Battery Last?

One of the most instrumental parts of an EV is its battery. However, the electric car battery life degrades with usage.

In this article, we discuss how long an electric battery lasts but let’s first see what is meant by EV battery degradation.

What Is EV Battery Degradation?

It is a gradual phenomenon that irrevocably diminishes the battery’s ability to store and deliver power.

The battery capacity of EVs is usually designed higher than the requirements of the powertrain. Thus, even when the battery degrades, a loss in power is not observed while driving.

However, the most common problem associated with EV battery degradation is the loss of range over time.

How Much Charging Capacity Is Lost?

The ability of batteries to hold a charge is indeed lost over time. However, when we go into the details, we realize that this loss is not that substantial.

Research suggests that an average EV battery annually loses just 2.3% of its ability to hold a charge. To take into perspective what this means, take the example of an EV battery that had an initial range of around 241 km.

So, over the next five years, here is how much range would be left in the vehicle:

• After 1^st Year: 235.4 km;
• After 2^nd Year: 230 km;
• After 3^rd Year: 224.7 km;
• After 4^th Year: 219.6 km;
• After 5^th Year: 214.5 km.

This means that over the 5 years, the EV battery will lose just 26 kilometres of the range which is pretty insignificant. Such a small number is not going to matter much in your everyday life.

Average Battery Lifespan Before Needing A Replacement

The average EV battery lasts for over a decade before it needs a replacement. However, this is directly dependent upon the usage and conditions under which the battery is used.

What Warranties Do Automakers Offer For EVs?

Like ICE vehicles, automakers also provide warranties to customers for their peace of mind. These are usually in terms of miles or kilometres as well as the number of years.

For example, both Tesla and Nissan offer a 100,000-mile warranty for their electric vehicles. However, Tesla offers 8 years warranty whereas Nissan offers 7 years.

Kia presents a 7-year warranty for its EV batteries and VW provides a warranty for its EV batteries maintaining 70% charge even after 7 years.

What Affects Battery Life?

Here are some of the factors that affect the electric car battery life:

• Temperature

Heat damages batteries. Thus if you operate your EV on very hot days, its battery life will take a hit.

• High Electric Current

Using Level 3 DC Fast Charging also reduces the life of your EV’s battery.

• Duty Cycles Aka Usage Of The Battery

The more you use your battery, the more duty cycles it will use. As batteries have a specific number of energy cycles, so the more you use them, the quicker is the loss of battery life.

• Operating At High Or Low Charging State Of The Batteries

If you drain your battery to the end and then recharge it, your EV battery is likely to drain quickly.

Tips For Extending The Lifespan Of Your EV Batteries

By following these simple tips, you can considerably increase the electric car battery life

• Avoid charging your EV every night;
• Maintain charging between 20% and 80%;
• When planning to park your EV for a long time, maintain charging between 25% and 75%;
• Don’t use the fast chargers too often, they can damage your car’s batteries;
• Avoid parking the car in direct sunlight. Climate conditions also contribute to faster battery degradation.