While there are countless benefits to driving an electric or hybrid car, a major concern for most prospective buyers is the cost of replacing EV batteries. The cost of Chevrolet Bolt EV batteries would be around $15,000. So, how long do electric car batteries last?
Although the typical cost of replacing electric vehicle batteries is not as high as for the Chevrolet, it still amounts to a few thousand dollars. While most EV batteries come with an eight-year warranty, you might worry that the lifespan of electric car batteries is not that long.
So, if you’re considering buying an electric or hybrid car, read on to find out how long electric car batteries last in order to factor the battery replacement cost into your decision.
How much does EV battery replacement cost?
Battery replacement is a must on the electric car maintenance checklist.
It is generally accepted that the cost of replacing EV batteries ranges between $1,000 and $6,000. This is a significant expense, but prices seem to be slightly decreasing over time in recent years.
EV Battery Basics
The batteries used for electric vehicles are lithium-ion batteries, the same type as those used for your mobile phones and laptops.
Compared to ordinary batteries, they are much lighter. They also have a much higher energy density, meaning they can extract a greater amount of energy from a small battery. They are also less likely to lose their charge when not in use.
The capacity of an EV battery is measured in kilowatt-hours or kWh. The higher the power rating of a battery pack, the longer you can drive before needing to recharge the battery. This capacity is also referred to as the battery’s “range.”
How long do electric car batteries last?
Many factors affect the lifespan of EV batteries. In general, you can expect most electric vehicle batteries on the market to last at least 8 years or about 100,000 miles. Most batteries of electric cars sold in the United States also come with a warranty of at least 8 years or 100,000 miles.
Another statistic for your peace of mind from Consumer Reports, an independent nonprofit research organization. It estimates that a typical EV battery would last about 200,000 miles, or nearly 17 years of use if driven 12,000 miles per year. That’s double the average warranty for most electric car batteries sold in the U.S.
You can look for electric cars with batteries that have a longer-than-average warranty. To name just a few, Kia offers a 10-year warranty for all its electric car batteries. Hyundai goes even further by offering lifetime coverage for its EV batteries.
10 years is longer than the warranties on any other component of a car. In fact, 10 years is longer than the period most car owners would keep a car.
Notes on EV Battery Warranty
When purchasing an electric vehicle, make sure to carefully check the warranty details.
Typically, many manufacturers offer warranties for EV batteries if, during the warranty period, the battery’s ability to hold a charge deteriorates to a certain level, which is usually 60% to 70%. Brands like Nissan, Volkswagen, BMW, Chevrolet, and some Tesla models and a few others offer this type of warranty.
However, be aware that some electric vehicle manufacturers may only offer a warranty if the battery completely loses its ability to hold a charge, meaning if its charging capacity deteriorates to 0%. This is extremely rare, so you would not prefer this type of strict warranty.
So, you might wonder, what would cause EV batteries to completely lose their charging capacity? Or what factors would affect the lifespan of EV batteries?
What affects the lifespan of electric car batteries?
Charging and Discharging
Over its lifespan, an EV battery will degrade slightly with each charge and discharge. However, such loss is gradual and minor, and the depletion rate tends to decrease over time.
The Battery’s Operating Range
That said, it’s worth noting that older batteries generally have a shorter operating range, meaning they would discharge more quickly and thus require more frequent charging. The more frequent the discharging and charging, the faster the battery will lose its charging capacity and the shorter its lifespan will be.
Where You Drive
For gasoline-engine vehicles, city driving with a lot of traffic, i.e., slower speed with many stops, consumes more fuel than driving on highways at a consistently high speed without frequent stops.
In contrast, electric vehicles tend to consume more energy when driven on highways at a constant high speed, while they consume less energy when driving in the city.
Hot Climate
All batteries will achieve a maximum lifespan if used consistently in environments at 20°C (68°F) or slightly below.
Extremely hot weather is not the ideal environment for EV batteries to “stay healthy.” In general, it is reported that electric cars driven in hotter climates tend to suffer from faster battery depletion and thus a shorter lifespan.
This is because heat damages the lithium-ion chemistry or the chemical reaction occurring inside the battery. To counter this issue, you may want to look for a liquid-cooled battery.
Ultimately, you can expect your EV batteries to last at least 8 years or 100,000 miles, or even longer if you take proper care of them.
Knowing how long electric car batteries last may not seem important to potential buyers at first glance. However, if you’re considering buying a durable electric car model that will last a long time and you plan to stick with it long-term, the lifespan of EV batteries will significantly affect the cost of owning an EV.