If you’re considering transitioning to an electric fleet, you likely have questions regarding vehicle range and battery life.
The good news is that modern EV batteries are designed to last with advancements in technology making them more reliable and efficient than ever.
If you’re worried about battery degradation, EV batteries should continue to work for well over a decade, if looked after, outlasting the average lifespan of a petrol or diesel equivalent.
With government incentives, net zero targets and cutting-edge battery technology, there’s never been a better time to switch. Whether you’re planning a complete fleet transition or seeking to trial EVs, understanding battery longevity is key to making an informed decision.
Below, we break down everything you need to know about EV battery lifespan, what affects their longevity, and how to keep them in top condition for years to come.
EV battery life expectancy
One of the most common concerns for potential EV owners is the lifespan of an electric battery. Most EV batteries are designed to last between 10 to 20 years, with manufacturers typically offering warranties covering 8 years or 100,000 miles.
How long do EV batteries last?
Battery longevity depends on several factors, including usage habits, charging patterns, and climate conditions. However, thanks to improved battery chemistry and intelligent thermal management systems, degradation happens much more slowly than it did in earlier EV models.
Many EV batteries retain 70–80% of their original capacity even after 150,000–200,000 miles, making them highly durable and an important asset that can maintain residual value.
EV maintenance
One of the key advantages of EV ownership is lower maintenance requirements compared to petrol or diesel vehicles as they have fewer moving parts. That said, they still require careful management to maintain their shelf-life and performance.
Common EV maintenance needs
- Brakes: Regenerative braking reduces wear and tear on brake pads and discs.
- Tyres: Can wear slightly faster due to instant torque but require standard rotations and replacements.
- Coolant systems: Some EVs have liquid-cooled battery systems that require periodic checks.
- Software updates: Manufacturers frequently provide digital updates to optimise efficiency and battery performance.
Compared to internal combustion engine vehicles, EVs are cheaper and easier to maintain, helping extend battery lifespan and overall reliability.
Maintaining battery health
In addition, a well-maintained EV battery can last significantly longer. Key best practices include:
- Optimised charging: Keeping charge levels between 20% and 80% helps reduce stress on battery cells, while charging the vehicle according to their planned route can help protect the battery too.
- Minimising fast charging: While convenient, continued rapid charging can impact long-term battery health, due to generating excess heat.
- Storing at optimal temperatures: Extreme heat or cold accelerates battery degradation.
- Using smart charging technology: There are many EV smart charging solutions help improve efficiency and battery longevity.
- Collecting battery data: understanding battery health and usage data is key to making informed decisions about how to protect their long-term performance.
Recycling and second -life of EV batteries
As EV adoption grows, concerns over battery waste and sustainability have become more prominent. Fortunately, many can be repurposed and recycled to extend their usability.
Battery recycling
Most EV manufacturers are investing in recycling programmes to recover valuable materials such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. They have introduced closed-loop recycling systems to reduce environmental impact and improve supply chain sustainability.
Second life applications
Before reaching the end of their life, EV batteries can also be repurposed for energy storage solutions. Some applications include:
- Grid storage: Used EV batteries can store excess energy from renewable sources like solar and wind farms
- Commercial energy storage: Fleet operators are using second-life EV batteries to cut energy costs and support sustainability initiatives by using them as an additional on-site energy storage.
With advancements in battery recycling technology, the environmental footprint of EV batteries is expected to shrink, making electric transportation even more sustainable.
So, while the exact lifespan varies, most EVs are designed to last 10-20 years with warranties covering at least 8 years or 100,00 miles. Compared to petrol or diesel engines, EV batteries should be viewed as an asset that needs to be maintained to preserve its performance, shelf-life and residual value.
How long battery life lasts can depend on driving and charging behaviours, like minimising heavy acceleration or fast charging, and environmental conditions and temperatures. Should they be cared for, EV batteries can be repurposed to provide additional energy storage to power your fleet or site operations or re-sold onto other fleet operators or drivers at a premium price-point.
When considering the future of EV fleet management, investing in your EV battery life is an increasingly practical and cost-effective choice for the future of sustainable transport.