EVs are becoming popular, and a lot of people who want to switch want to know how long does an Electric car battery last? Different brands and older batteries have different life spans, but in general, new batteries will last as long as or longer than motor parts on internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
The Basics of EV Batteries
Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries power electric cars. These batteries have more energy per unit weight than rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries in some hybrids or rechargeable lead-acid batteries in cars with internal combustion engines. The high energy density of a lithium-ion battery means that it makes more power for its size. This makes it perfect for an electric car.
ICE cars are more complicated and use more gas than EVs because EVs only have a battery to power them. The price of lithium-ion batteries has dropped by 97% in the last 30 years. Interestingly, many experts think that soon it will be as cheap to make EVs as gasoline cars.
How do EV batteries break down?
Temperature, cycles, and time can all cause EV batteries to lose power. Temperatures at storage and use have a big effect on how long an EV battery lasts. In general, warmer areas make EV batteries last less long. Batteries slowly lose their power as they are charged and drained while plugged in. But just because you don’t use or charge your EV battery doesn’t mean it will last forever. This is calendar degradation, and it happens over time.
EV batteries are different from lithium-ion batteries in phones and laptops because they have complicated battery management systems (BMS) that control how the batteries are charged and discharged to make them last longer. That means your EV battery is most likely to lose power due to temperature or time.
What duration does the battery in an electric car last?
The question still stands: How long do you think the battery in your EV will last? For the benefit of customers, the government requires EV makers to guarantee batteries for 8 years or 100,000 miles. In California, this promise is raised to 10 years or 150,000 miles.
As the cost of making EV battery packs goes down, companies can make bigger cells with more energy storage space. Better technology also slows down the aging of batteries, which means that over time, the greatest potential stays close to that of a brand-new battery. And, because the mileage of batteries has already grown a lot, they have a much longer range. Finally, because lithium-ion batteries are made up of many separate cells, you don’t have to change the battery often. You can save money instead by just changing cells that are dead.
How Long Do EV Batteries Last Compared to ICE Cars?
The required warranty periods for EV batteries are 8 years and 100,000 miles, which are much longer than the typical ICE car warranty of 5 years or 60,000 miles. An ICE car usually goes about 133,000 miles in its lifetime. The normal EV battery is thought to last about 200,000 miles, but some companies have already promised much longer.
Finally, there’s good news: Tesla wants to make a battery that can go a million miles. EV batteries only lose 2.3% of their full capacity every year on average. This means that if you take good care of your EV battery, it should longer than ICE drivetrain parts.
How to Make EV Batteries Last Longer?
Even though EV batteries are already very strong, owners can take certain steps to make them last even longer.
Follow what the EV manufacturer says.
First, to get the most out of your EV’s battery, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions and keep the software on your car up to date. Because different EV makers use different battery chemistries and cooling methods, each will have its own best ways to charge and use the battery.
Keep the temperatures moderate.
EVs with liquid-cooled batteries have longer lives because the batteries stay cooler while they’re working. Generally, keeping your EV and driving it in mild weather is a good way to make the battery last longer. Even if you live in a warmer area, putting your car in a garage or a well-shaded spot is still a good idea.
Do not charge too quickly.
When you need to power your car, using direct current rapid charging (DCRC) is fine sometimes. But if you can cut down on how often you use this charging method, your battery will last longer. Fortunately, EV Connect has a number of charging sites so you can find the best one for your car. Remember: Don’t be afraid to use your EV; using it a lot doesn’t hurt the battery very much.
How an EV Battery Can Be Used Again?
For environmentally-conscious buyers, one of the most exciting things about EV batteries breaking down is that they can still be used for something else. Even though these powerful EV batteries lose some of their power when used to power a car (around 70% of their full charge potential), they still have enough life left to work with solar panels and provide backup power for your home. There are even companies that gather or buy back used batteries to power other projects in a more environmentally friendly way, like sports arenas. If you own an electric vehicle, you can rest easy knowing that its power will last long after it leaves your car.
EV batteries keep getting cheaper, they last longer, and they can go farther on a charge. EV batteries last longer than ICE parts, and the technology gets better every year. All of that is good news. EV batteries last for years, and they retire in a way that doesn’t hurt the environment when they’re no longer needed.
