A recent study by Geotab, examining nearly 5,000 electric vehicles over 1.5 million driving days, found that modern EV batteries degrade at just 1.8% per year down from 2.3% in 2019 meaning they retain about 64% capacity after 20 years, comfortably outlasting the typical lifespan of a car.
Data from InsideEVs highlights that the average car on U.S. roads is 14 years old, and EV batteries often exceed that lifespan. Actual failure rates are statistically negligible, and degradation while common is gradual and slows after the first year.
Real-world evidence supports this: staff at used EV dealerships report retained battery capacity of 90% after 90,000 miles, and 85% capacity even after 130,000 miles. Most batteries show only around 10–15% degradation well past the 200,000-mile mark.
Battery longevity is influenced by chemistry, cooling systems, and temperature. Active cooling systems, as seen in Tesla, show lower degradation (around 1–2% annually), while passive systems, like those in the older Nissan Leaf, degrade faster—around 4% per year.
Experts also note that EV motors and brake systems tend to last longer than their gas-powered counterparts, with fewer moving parts and regenerative braking reducing wear on components like pads and rotors .
Battery degradation is best managed by avoiding extremes keeping the charge between 20–80%, parking in shade, and avoiding excessive fast charging. With proper care, EV batteries offer long-term reliability and low running costs, dispelling the myth that EVs can’t rival gas cars in longevity.
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