How long do electric car batteries last? [May 2023]

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Electric Vehicle Batteries: More Durable Than You Think

Today, electric vehicles are more popular than ever before. In 2022, global EV sales surpassed 10 million units, and sales in Q1 2023 have continued to rise, indicating strong growth throughout the year. Despite this surge in popularity, many potential buyers still harbor doubts, particularly regarding battery life. According to our recent Mobility Monitor research, range anxiety remains a major concern, but another significant worry cited by 33% of potential EV drivers is the fear that the battery will degrade too quickly.

While understandable, this concern is largely unfounded. Unlike consumer electronics like phones or laptops, EV batteries are specifically engineered to withstand prolonged use. Research suggests that most EV batteries will likely outlast the vehicle they power, and even when they do eventually wear out, they can often be repurposed or recycled.

This article delves into common misconceptions about EV battery longevity, examines their actual lifespan, and offers practical advice on how to prolong their useful life.

Misconceptions About EV Battery Life

We encounter batteries daily in our phones, laptops, and various gadgets. Over time, these batteries lose capacity, which is why we’re familiar with the frustration of a device not holding a charge as well as it used to. Naturally, this leads to concerns about the durability of EV batteries.

However, EV batteries differ significantly from smaller consumer electronics. They are built to endure extensive use and come equipped with advanced protection systems to minimize degradation. For instance, EV batteries rarely need to be charged to full capacity daily, and many models include sophisticated battery management systems (BMS) that regulate charging cycles to preserve battery health.

What Are EV Batteries Made Of?

A typical EV battery consists of thousands of rechargeable lithium-ion cells connected together to form a battery pack. These batteries are renowned for their high energy density, allowing them to store more energy in a compact space. They also require minimal maintenance and are highly efficient at discharging energy.

Although lithium-ion batteries are durable, they aren’t indestructible. Like all components, they degrade gradually with use. Over time, the cells can hold less energy than when they were new, leading to a gradual decline in overall battery capacity. Still, compared to smaller devices, EV batteries are designed to maintain performance for much longer.

Lithium-Ion vs. Phone Batteries

Unlike personal devices that may lose up to 20% of their capacity within just a few years, EV batteries are crafted to last much longer. Their design incorporates numerous safeguards to prevent excessive wear and tear. For example, EV batteries don’t need frequent charging, even with moderate usage. In the EU, a typical EV can operate for several days without requiring a recharge.

Moreover, EV batteries feature battery management systems (BMS) that monitor and optimize charging and discharging cycles. The BMS ensures that energy is distributed evenly across all cells and reserves a portion of the battery’s capacity to protect against extreme conditions.

 

How Long Do EV Batteries Last?

Industry experts project that EV batteries will last between 100,000 and 200,000 miles, or roughly 15 to 20 years. Even as batteries age, their large initial capacity and relatively small annual capacity loss—around 2.3% per year—mean that the degradation is barely noticeable. For example, if you buy an EV today with a 240-kilometer (150-mile) range, you’ll likely only lose about 27 kilometers (17 miles) of accessible range after five years.

Real-world data supports these projections. Nissan, which has been producing EVs for over a decade, reports that nearly all of its early batteries remain in active use. Similarly, Tesla claims its vehicles achieve an average mileage of around 200,000 miles in the U.S. and 150,000 miles in Europe. This exceeds the average lifespan of conventional cars, which is only about 12 years. Additionally, most EV manufacturers offer warranties covering 8 to 10 years or 100,000 to 150,000 miles for their battery packs, ensuring customers are protected against premature failure.

Extending the Life of Your EV Battery

Over the past few decades, lithium-ion battery technology has improved dramatically. These advancements have enhanced durability, safety, and affordability. However, proper care is essential to maximize battery life. Here are some practical tips:

Best Practices for Charging EV Batteries

1. Avoid Charging Every Night

Every time you charge your EV, even partially, you place stress on the battery, causing a slight reduction in its overall capacity. To mitigate this effect, avoid plugging in your vehicle every night unless absolutely necessary. Charging only when required can significantly extend your battery’s lifespan.

2. Maintain a Charge Between 20% and 80%

Similar to avoiding nightly charging, it’s advisable not to charge your EV to 100% unless absolutely needed. Frequent full charges can accelerate battery degradation over time. Instead, aim to keep your battery level between 20% and 80%. It’s also important to avoid letting the battery deplete entirely.

3. Optimize Battery State During Long Storage

Leaving your EV parked for extended periods with either a fully charged or fully depleted battery can accelerate degradation. If you plan to be away from your vehicle for a long time, it’s recommended to charge the battery to around 50% before storing it. Some advanced charging stations can automatically manage this process, ensuring your battery stays within safe limits.

The Cost of EV Batteries

Currently, the most expensive component of an EV is its battery, costing approximately $10,000 to $12,000, depending on size and technology. This high cost stems from the scarcity and difficulty of sourcing raw materials like lithium and cobalt.

Fortunately, battery prices have declined steadily due to technological advancements and economies of scale. Today, manufacturing accounts for about 20% of total battery costs, down from over 30% a decade ago. However, cell production costs rose slightly in 2022 due to increased material prices and higher electricity costs.

Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) predicts that battery prices will drop again starting in 2024 as new extraction facilities come online, easing pressure on raw material supplies. By 2026, BNEF forecasts average pack prices will fall below $100/kWh.

Are EV Batteries Recyclable?

When EV batteries finally reach the end of their useful life, there are several options for handling them. Recycling is often seen as the primary solution, but before reaching that stage, many batteries can find secondary uses, such as stationary energy storage. This helps address the intermittency challenges associated with renewable energy sources like solar and wind power.

Second-Life Applications for Used EV Batteries

One prominent use case for retired EV batteries is energy storage for homes and businesses. For instance, The Mobility House has implemented a bidirectional smart charging system using old Nissan Leaf batteries to balance electricity demand at the Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam, reducing peak loads on the grid.

Recycling EV Batteries

Eventually, batteries may reach a point where they can no longer serve their original or secondary purposes. At this stage, recycling becomes crucial. While recycling lithium-ion batteries presents technical challenges, growing demand for raw materials is driving innovation. Some methods now recover up to 95% of valuable materials, minimizing waste and environmental impact.

Learn More About EV Charging

Battery longevity is undoubtedly a key consideration for anyone contemplating an EV purchase. In reality, modern EV batteries are designed with long-term durability in mind and are likely to outlast the vehicle itself. If you're thinking about transitioning to electric mobility, you may have additional questions about EV charging. Check out our comprehensive EV charging guide to learn everything you need to know.

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