How long does an electric car battery last?

‍Life expectancy in numbers

Battery life is determined by two factors:

Calendar Age: Modern electric car batteries have an expected life of 8—15 years, but with today's rapid technological development, many can last for 20 years or more.

Cycle Age: Batteries can withstand an average of 1,000 to 2,000 full charge cycles, which is equivalent to 150,000—200,000 kilometers of driving. A full cycle counts as 100% charge, whether it occurs at one point or is accumulated through multiple partial charges.

Data from thousands of electric cars show that the degradation rate has improved markedly. The average annual loss of capacity has decreased from 2.3% (2019) to only 1.8% (2024). This means that an average battery still has over 80% capacity after 12 years.

What affects the demotion?

Although batteries are robust, there are factors that accelerate aging:

• High state of charge: Keeping the battery fully charged (100%) for extended periods creates chemical stress
• Temperature stress: Extreme heat or cold accelerates degradation, especially if the BMS does not deal with it effectively
• Fast charging: Frequent DC fast charging generates more thermal stress than AC charging
• Deep discharge: Allowing the battery to reach 0% is harmful and may void the warranty

Manufacturers' warranties

The standard warranty is usually 8 years or 160,000 km and ensures that battery health does not drop below 70— 75%. But remember: the guarantee is a conservative safety net. The actual lifespan is often significantly longer.

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