Battery longevity is one of the main issues for prospective EV buyers. People frequently link battery degradation to issues like shorter battery life from overcharging or frequent fast-charging, which are common with laptops and cell phones. Therefore, it makes sense to wonder if EV batteries suffer the same fate. Fortunately, things are far better than they seem.
According to a study by the UK-based vehicle telematics company Geotab, most EV batteries have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years and degrade at an average rate of 1.8% annually under moderate driving circumstances. The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that the average gasoline-powered car in the United States lasts 12.6 years, which is actually longer than this.
Electric vehicles used to have a serious problem with battery deterioration, but thanks to advances in technology, current EVs have much longer estimated ranges. For instance, in 2015, many top EVs had a maximum range of under 90 miles. These batteries’ range would drop to absurdly short distances as they deteriorated. Newer models, such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5, can now travel up to 318 miles on a single charge. Even with some deterioration over time, it will still be able to travel more than 200 miles after 20 years.
For nickel-based batteries, experts advise maintaining a state of charge between 20% and 80% to extend the life of your EV’s battery. Although contemporary EVs with liquid-cooled batteries and preconditioning features help lessen this effect, it is still preferable to avoid fast-charging when the battery is too low or too high because it can slightly accelerate degradation.
All things considered, EV batteries do deteriorate over time, but not quickly enough for most drivers to experience serious problems. The worry about battery deterioration is gradually disappearing as EV batteries typically last longer than those of a conventional gasoline-powered vehicle.
