How long do EV batteries last? A breakdown of electric car battery life

Electric vehicles (EVs) are no longer the novelty they once were. They are now a common sight on New Zealand roads.

But for those who are considering investing in an EV, one of the first questions is about how long the batteries last, both in terms of driving range and total lifespan.

In this article, we'll explain everything you need to know about EV battery life in 2024.

Factors that affect electric car battery life

Factors that affect both the range and the longevity of EV batteries include:

• Battery technology: Battery technology is always advancing, improving charging times, efficiency, range and lifespan along the way. 
• Battery design: Batteries work better and last longer when they're kept at an optimal temperature through thermal management systems and modular cells. 
• Battery health: By maintaining regular charging habits and moderate levels of charge (ideally 20-80%) you can extend the lifespan and preserve the health of the battery.
• Battery degradation: All batteries, EV or otherwise, will lose some of their capacity over time. Even when left unused and kept in ideal conditions, most will typically degrade by 1-2% per year through simple chemical wear. 
• Battery range: Higher-capacity batteries generally offer longer ranges, but high-speed driving and frequent fast charging can accelerate battery wear and tear, reducing that range over time. 
• Battery replacement: If a battery has degraded significantly, you may need to replace part or all of it. 
• Battery warranty: Most EV manufacturers offer a minimum warranty of eight years or 160,000 kms.

EV battery life: How long do batteries last in electric cars?

Good news: you can reasonably expect your EV battery to last 10-15 years. As mentioned above, most manufacturers offer a minimum eight-year warranty on batteries.

But if the lithium-ion battery technology found in EVs is the same as that found in your phone, why don't your EV batteries only last a couple of years like a phone does?

There are a few reasons. EV batteries are bigger, they're charged less frequently and more strategically (using complex battery management systems), are built to better regulate temperature, all of which helps to extend the life of the battery significantly.

How do EV batteries degrade?

Battery degradation is inevitable. A few key ways in which EV batteries degrade include:

• Calendar degradation: All lithium-ion batteries will naturally lose 1-2% of their capacity every year through chemical wear. 
• Temperature: Exposure to extreme temperatures can prematurely degrade the battery. 
• Charging cycles: As the battery is charged and then discharged over and over again, its maximum potential is slowly reduced. 
• Charging speed: Excessive fast charging can degrade the battery faster than slow charging at home. 
• Usage: How you drive can affect your battery's lifespan - driving aggressively can shorten it, and driving sensibly can lengthen it.

How to extend the battery life of your EV

Given the reasons for degradation listed above, the following tips can help you extend the life of your EV battery:

• Charge strategically: Don't charge your EV every night but do aim to keep the level of charge between 20-80%. 
• Drive sensibly: While electric cars can offer incredible levels of performance, try to leave the F1 driving to the F1 drivers.
• Keep it covered: If possible, keep your car in a garage, or at least under shelter, to protect it from temperature extremes. 
• Minimise fast charging: Charge your car at home whenever possible. 
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions: EV brands know how to treat their batteries well, so follow their instructions.

Battery charging cycles

The lithium-ion batteries in an EV can usually be charged over 1000 times, and up to 2000 times in ideal conditions before they reach the end of their service life (when they fall to 70% of their maximum charge potential).

This is a far greater number of cycles than the lithium-ion batteries in consumer electronics, which can generally be charged 300-500 times before they reach the end of their service life.

How much does an electric car battery cost?

EVs can almost be seen as a battery with wheels attached. The battery is easily the car's largest, heaviest and most expensive component, and they don't come cheap.

The good news is you'll rarely need to replace the whole thing. EV batteries are made up of thousands of individual cells, across several modules. When the battery degrades, you can simply switch out the dead or most degraded cells or modules to give an instant and economical boost to your battery life.

What happens to the old battery?

As mentioned above, EV batteries are generally replaced when they fall to 70% of their original capacity. But while they may no longer be suitable for use in cars, they still have plenty of life left in them for other uses, like home and public energy storage.

And if you don't have a use for it, most manufacturers will be happy to recycle the battery for you.
 

The information in this blog is of a general nature and does not constitute financial or other professional advice. Policy limits and exclusions apply - refer to the policy wording for full terms and conditions.