What is the Lifespan of Electric Vehicle Batteries?

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Last Updated: 21/7/2022

The global movement toward electric mobility is accelerating, to the point where experts predict that electric vehicles (EVs) are nearing the “tipping point” of rapid mass adoption. In fact, EVs are expected to account for nearly 50% of global sales by 2040.

So, what explains the rapid adoption of EVs? Simply put, EVs are more accessible, affordable, and appealing than ever before. Much of this progress is due to advancements in EV batteries—the most expensive component of an EV.

Thanks to rapid advancements in battery technology in recent years, prices have dropped by 6% since 2021. Additionally, with proper maintenance, you can extend the lifespan of your EV battery for several years.

So, how long will your EV battery actually last? And what steps can you take to prolong its longevity?

Read this article to learn everything you need to know about battery lifespan and the best practices to follow to ensure you get the most out of your EV for years to come.

EV Batteries Require Less Maintenance

The battery, along with many other components of an electric vehicle, requires significantly less maintenance than their gasoline counterparts. Since electric motors have far fewer moving parts than internal combustion engines—more than two dozen fewer automotive components—there are fewer parts that can fail or need replacement.

Moreover, with fewer fluids, such as engine oil, and regenerative braking technology that reduces brake wear, EV drivers simply have less to worry about.

This fact alone concerns dealerships and mechanics, who fear reduced margins on EVs. Maintenance and servicing account for nearly half of an average dealership’s revenue, and EVs are expected to outlast gasoline vehicles, meaning many customers won’t replace them as frequently. However, while some are concerned, Lawrence Burns, former Vice President of R&D at General Motors Co., states that “fundamentally, it’s just a better way to design and develop a car.”

What is the Lifespan of EV Batteries?

According to current estimates, most EV batteries will last between 10 and 20 years before needing replacement.

However, according to a Cox Automotive survey, many potential EV buyers have concerns about battery lifespan and the associated replacement costs.

For many considering purchasing an electric vehicle, nearly half believe the average battery lifespan is less than 105,000 km.

What is the Cost of an EV Battery?

The aforementioned concerns are understandable: an EV battery is by far the most expensive part of the vehicle and can cost an average of €5,000, or even up to €15,000 per battery in some cases.

Nevertheless, according to a BloombergNEF survey, battery prices have fallen over the past decade. For example, the average price per kilowatt-hour—the standard measure of battery pricing—has dropped from €1,100 per kWh in 2010 to just €130 today.

This price is expected to decrease further, stabilizing at €90 per kWh by 2031, at which point it is widely believed that manufacturing EVs will cost as much as manufacturing gasoline cars.

Most manufacturers offer a warranty of five to ten years on their batteries or up to 100,000 km.

Batteries are designed not to fail completely but to gradually lose their charging capacity over time. This degradation happens slowly, with many reporting a loss of only a few percentage points over several years.

However, as with many components in older vehicles, the battery will eventually degrade. To quantify this, considering the average decline across all vehicles, the loss is minor, at 2.3% per year. This means that if you buy an electric vehicle today with a range of 240 km, you will have lost only about 27 km of accessible range after five years.

Does EV Charging Affect Battery Range?

In short, yes. Charging a battery does affect the lifespan of your vehicle’s battery.

One of the innovations that has driven the rise of electric vehicles over the past decade is the lithium-ion battery. Traditionally, most vehicle batteries were made of lead-acid and were only intended to start the vehicle’s engine with a brief burst of energy, which was then recharged while the vehicle was driven by an onboard alternator. However, these were not ideal for discharging more than a few percent of their power and are often referred to as SLI (starting, lighting, and ignition) batteries.

In contrast, lithium-ion batteries are designed to handle much higher energy density. Your phone and laptop both use lithium-ion batteries, and just as technological advancements in these devices have progressed over the past two decades, lithium-ion batteries have increased the potential for electricity use in vehicles. And these advancements are only set to continue.

However, even though an EV battery loses its ability to fully charge over time, it is unlikely to fail completely. There are some best practices you can adopt to extend the lifespan of your EV battery.

Best Practices for Charging EV Batteries

Improvements in lithium-ion batteries over recent decades have been significant. These advancements have extended battery lifespan, increased safety, and reduced the weight and cost of battery packs. However, like all technological components, if you care for them properly, you can extend their longevity and increase your return on investment.

Don’t Charge Your Electric Vehicle Every Night

Whether you charge the battery by just a few percent or fully charge the vehicle, every time your battery charges, you put stress on it. As a result, the battery’s capacity is reduced by a fraction. To prevent this from worsening over time, you should not plug in your vehicle every night. If you only charge your vehicle when necessary and avoid plugging it in as soon as you get home, you can extend your battery’s lifespan.

Keep the Charge Level Between 20% and 80%

Just as you shouldn’t plug in your vehicle every night, you also shouldn’t charge it to 100% when it’s not necessary. A lithium-ion battery is designed to store large amounts of energy with a charge that fluctuates. However, draining the cells too often or fully charging them can, over time, reduce the battery’s overall capacity. The advice is to keep the charge between 20% and 80% and never let the battery fully discharge.

Maintain Optimal Battery Charge During Long-Term Storage

Finally, leaving your EV parked for too long with a full (or empty) battery also contributes to degradation. To avoid this, if you plan to be away from your vehicle for an extended period, it’s recommended to keep it charged between 25% and 75%. There are smart charging stations that can help ensure your battery stays within these limits.

Everything You Need to Know About EV Charging

While battery lifespan and range capacity are among the main concerns for those considering switching to electric mobility, drivers have other questions about electric cars and charging. What is the cost of charging at home, how long does it take to charge an electric car publicly, what is fast charging, and how does it work? Which cable should I use? Read our comprehensive guide on EV charging to learn everything about charging electric vehicles.