How Long Do Batteries Last in Electric Cars?
For many potential electric car owners, the shift to EVs represents a new frontier in driving. Among the numerous questions that arise, one of the most critical concerns the lifespan of the battery. Many drivers worry about the long-term viability and associated costs of owning an electric vehicle.
Rumors and anecdotes of expensive battery replacements, or even cars becoming worthless due to battery failure, are not uncommon. Given the experiences people have had with mobile phones and laptops, it’s easy to see how these concerns arise. Over a relatively short time, the batteries in these devices can lose efficiency, requiring more frequent charging.
In extreme cases, such degradation can render a device unusable unless it’s constantly plugged in, which isn’t ideal for an EV. Battery technology can also come at a high price, and replacing the cells could cost more than the car is worth.
So, how serious is the issue of electric car battery life? The good news is that as more EVs hit the road, evidence increasingly shows that the power pack will often last the vehicle’s lifetime.
Even better, you can follow numerous tips and strategies to ensure your car’s batteries outlast most.
Electric Car Battery Lifespan
Generally, electric car batteries are built to last as long as the rest of the car. Just like your phone or laptop battery, they do degrade over time.
Ultimately, the cells should retain at least 70% of their capacity even after 200,000 miles – a mileage that few cars ever reach.
As an example, several Tesla Model S taxis operating from Gatwick Airport logged over 300,000 miles each in three years, and all retained at least 82% battery health.
Why Electric Car Batteries Degrade
Batteries inherently degrade over time and with use, gradually becoming less efficient and offering a shorter range.
Advances in battery technology may reduce the rate of degradation. However, even the latest lithium-ion cells have limitations, with several factors playing a role.
Perhaps the most significant contributor to battery degradation is the charging cycle. Frequent draining of the cells followed by a full charge can damage the battery’s ability to maintain optimal energy storage.
That’s why manufacturers generally advise charging to only 80% and never letting the range drop to zero miles.
Rapid charging is also a factor, as the high electrical energy and speed generate high temperatures within the battery pack.
While liquid cooling systems help to mitigate this, frequent rapid charging over time will still damage the lithium-ion packs.
In a similar, but less pronounced way, cars used in warmer climates tend to experience a slightly greater performance reduction than those in cooler conditions.
How Long Do Tesla Batteries Last?
Tesla claims its batteries can last between 300,000 and 500,000 miles. For a Tesla Model 3 Long Range with a 436-mile WLTP range, that equates to between 700 and 1500 battery charge cycles.
Used Teslas in our fleet have similar life expectancies. A four-year-old used Tesla Model 3 that had covered approximately 40,000 miles experienced only a 2% battery degradation.
Hundreds of other examples indicate the same, so it is safe to say that Tesla batteries, and other EV batteries, can last for an extended time and maintain their capacity.
How to Care for Your Electric Car Battery
Fortunately, there are measures you can take to preserve your battery’s power and efficiency. One of the primary ways to protect the cells is to carefully manage the charging and discharging cycles. In an ideal world, try to avoid letting the charge drop below 20% and don’t charge above 80%. These limits are when batteries tend to get hottest, which takes a toll on their delicate chemistry.
Most EVs allow you to program your car’s charging schedule, giving you control over when electricity flows and, importantly, setting a limit on the amount of energy that goes into the cells.
It’s also best to avoid completely draining the battery. Most EVs ensure a minimum energy level remains, even if it won’t allow the car to move. However, storing your car for long periods and allowing electricity to drain away should be avoided.
Speaking of charging, it’s best to use DC rapid chargers sparingly. Although helpful for topping up on long journeys or in emergencies, a by-product of rapid chargers is the increased temperatures within the battery, which can damage lithium-ion cells.
If the car is used in extreme heat or cold, always keep it plugged in to charge, with the maximum limit set to 80%. This trickle-charging technique allows the battery’s thermal management system to keep the cells at an optimal temperature for longevity.
Finally, the way you drive your EV can affect its battery life. Similar to rapid charging, accelerating quickly can damage the cells, leading to reduced efficiency and range over time.
Ultimately, driving faster and frequently using an EV’s instant torque for quick getaways cause damaging heat build-up in the battery. It’s best to drive steadily if you want longevity.
Electric Car Battery Warranties
Manufacturers are aware that the possibility of early and expensive battery failure could deter prospective EV buyers. Although, when cared for correctly, most modern lithium-ion batteries are likely to last the vehicle’s lifetime.
Even so, most firms provide 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.
For instance, Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Nissan, and Renault cover the cells for eight years and 100,000 miles. Hyundai ups the mileage limit to 125,000.
Tesla has the same eight-year timeframe but a mileage limit of 150,000 on the Model S and Model X, 120,000 on the Model 3 Long Range, and 100,000 on all other versions.
Most warranties, aside from Audi and Tesla, include a maximum permissible capacity (between 70% and 75%) for the battery. If it diminishes below this figure during the warranty period, a replacement will be triggered.
