How Long Do Electric Vehicle Batteries Last?

The adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is accelerating globally, and experts believe we are reaching the “tipping point” of fast mainstream acceptance. In fact, more than two-thirds of all passenger car sales worldwide are expected to be electric vehicles by 2040, according to popular surveys.

So what’s driving EV adoption so quickly? Simply said, EVs are more widely available, reasonably priced, and appealing than ever before. And the evolution of EV batteries the most costly component of an EV is largely responsible for these advancements.

Battery prices have dropped by 89 percent since 2010, owing to rapid advancements in battery technology over the last decade. EV battery cells are much more durable than you may believe, much like the batteries in your laptop, tablet, and smartphone. Additionally, you may prolong the battery life of your EV for a very long time with the right maintenance.

But how long do electric car batteries last? What actions may you take to lengthen its lifespan, and what might those actions be? Learn all you need to understand about battery performance in the subsequent sections, along with the best techniques you can employ to make the most of your EV for many years to come.

What are EV batteries?

An electric car battery acts as an energy storehouse in order to transmit power to an engine that runs on alternating or continuous currents. But this is only a small part of its significance. The cars’ sustainability and freedom from reliance on fossil fuels are both a result of the battery. The distance a car can go before needing a charge, the amount of time it takes to charge an EV, and the cost are all dependent on batteries. Due to their high energy density in relation to weight, lithium-ion, and lithium-polymer batteries are the most popular battery types in contemporary electric cars. Lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, zinc-air, and sodium nickel chloride batteries are further types of rechargeable batteries utilized in electric cars.

You might be interested in knowing the battery’s weight now that you are familiar with its fundamentals. So, an EV battery typically weighs around 1,000 pounds. Some batteries are over 2,000 pounds in weight. The Hummer EV battery, which weighs over 2,923 pounds, is the heaviest EV battery. The weight is determined by the battery’s size, type, and manufacturer.

Batteries have a number of environmental drawbacks, starting with the fact that charging batteries requires electricity, which may be produced by coal-fired or nuclear power plants. Additionally, having a negative influence on the environment, mining for battery chemicals can result in harmful materials leaking into rivers. Cobalt, a vital component of batteries, presently originates from quarries in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where rights violations and the exploitation of child labor have been recorded by organizations like Amnesty. This means that the batteries have a human cost as well. While there are still few chances for battery recycling, some industry observers fear that cobalt supplies are already running low and won’t be able to keep up with demand.

How long do EV batteries last?

According to current projections, the majority of EV batteries will last between 10 and 20 years without needing to be changed. However, a poll found that many prospective EV purchasers had concerns about battery longevity and the cost of battery replacement. Just under half of those who are thinking about buying an electric car believe that the battery will last for fewer than 65,000 kilometers on average.

Companies may produce larger batteries with higher energy potential as EV rechargeable batteries become more affordable to produce, which in turn enhances their mile range. Additionally, the more advanced technology reduces battery deterioration, which keeps the full capability of the battery closer to that of a brand-new battery over time. Because the mileage range of contemporary batteries has already improved significantly, even as they age, they will continue to have a larger mileage capacity than batteries from only a few years ago. A lithium-ion battery seldom has to be replaced in its whole as it ages since it is made up of several separate cells. Instead, merely replacing dead cells will save you cash.

Considering current trends, we can be certain that a significant shift from conventional to electric vehicles will occur in the near future, owing to advancements in EV charging technologies. Over the past several years, numerous new solutions have been introduced to the market, including smart EV charging management features, automated battery heating, quick charging, and many more.

EV Battery’s Second Life

The life of electric car batteries is challenging. Lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles deteriorate significantly within the initial five years of usage and are often intended for a decade of usable life despite being subjected to severe temperature applications, several partial cycles annually, and fluctuating leakage currents. Even if they no longer fulfil the performance requirements for EVs, which generally call for retaining 80% of total usable capacity and attaining a resting self-discharge rate of just 5% over a 24-hour period, these batteries can nevertheless have a second life. Such batteries can still function well enough to support less demanding applications, including stationary energy storage, after being remanufactured.

Manufacturers have three alternatives when an EV battery approaches the end of its useful initial life: discard it, recover the precious metals, or reuse it. Packs are most commonly disposed of if they are outdated or if they are located in areas without the requisite market infrastructure. If electrodes are made of extremely valuable metals like cobalt and nickel, recycling may make sense. The entire development of new methods that recover additional material is still pending.

Also Read: Different Types of Electric Vehicle Charging Connectors

Electric vehicles’ battery lifespan

Electric car battery life expectancy is what we discuss in this section. The manufacturer’s warranty offers the most straightforward method of determining an electric car battery’s lifespan without resorting to guesswork. No manufacturer wants to be saddled with the expense of upgrading a battery pack because they misjudged the pack’s resilience and durability. As a result, the battery’s limited warranty offers information about the minimal life expectancy that the manufacturer believes to exist for the average pack.

A battery guarantee with a minimum of eight years and 100,000 miles is standard on all EVs sold today. According to the model, Tesla, for example, provides a battery guarantee that lasts eight years and covers up to 100,000 to 150,000 kilometers.

By adding to a battery storage system, an EV battery that is no longer able to power a car may be used to power a house or other structure. The energy from batteries is stored in a battery energy storage system so it may be used later.

You may even combine it with an EV battery if you power your house with sustainable energy sources like solar or wind. You can save it for later use at night or in low-light conditions. even during the daytime, in addition to solar or wind power. You may cut back on your grid usage and save money on your energy bills by using this form of energy production.

How to Make EV Batteries Last Longer

Although EV batteries are inherently robust, there are several steps owners may take to extend battery longevity.

1. Adhere to EV Manufacturer Recommendations

To start, it’s crucial to adhere to your EV’s unique instructions for the best battery performance and to keep the software on your car up to date. Each EV manufacturer has its own set of recommended charging and operation procedures because they all employ various battery compositions and cooling techniques.

2. Keep the temperature reasonable

Due to reduced operating temperatures, EVs with liquid-cooled cells see longer battery life maintenance. An effective strategy for extending battery life is to store and use your EV in temperate climates. As a car spends the majority of its life parked, putting it in a garage or a place that gets plenty of shade can assist, even if you live in a warm environment.

3. Reduce Quick Charging

It’s acceptable to sometimes use direct current rapid charging (DCRC) to charge your car, but if you can reduce the frequency of this charging technique, your battery is likely to last longer. Fortunately, EV Connect provides a range of charging points to ensure a number of effective choices for your car. Also, keep in mind that using your EV frequently is not the main cause of battery degeneration.

Also Read: Best Electric Vehicle Charging Apps in the USA

Frequently Asked Question

1. What transpires while an EV battery is not used for long?
With existing EVs seeing an average range loss of 2% per year, EV batteries will gradually lose capacity as time passes. The driving range may clearly decrease after a long period of time.

2. How many batteries do electric cars have?
In electric cars, there are two batteries. Both the power generating and electrical operations are handled by separate batteries in electric vehicles. Most electric and hybrid electric cars require a conventional battery to initiate movement, regardless of the range they offer. That is an ordinary lead-acid 12-volt battery.

3. What voltage is the battery in an electric car?
Each electric vehicle’s battery is a different voltage, however battery packs typically range from 400 to 800 volts (V). Battery voltage has been the subject of numerous recent conversations, and EV specialists have been disputing the distinctions between 400V and 800V rechargeable batteries. Most often, 800V car batteries have been added to expensive EVs to speed up Level 3 direct current rapid charging.

4. What is the most up-to-date EV battery technology?
The chemical liquids included in current Li-ion batteries would not be used in battery cells; instead, a ceramic electrolyte would be used. For an EV battery’s operation, this has significant ramifications. In addition to allowing for more energy-dense rechargeable batteries with a longer lifespan and even turbo charging, it significantly lowers the possibility of fire.

Conclusion

For environmentally aware consumers, one of the most intriguing parts of EV battery deterioration is the possibility of continued battery use after they have left your EV. These strong EV batteries have enough life to couple with solar energy and provide backup energy for your house even as they lose their ability to power a car (often at 70% of their full charge capability). Even discarded batteries are gathered or purchased by certain manufacturers to operate other projects, such as sports arenas, responsibly. You may rest easy knowing that your EV’s electricity is sustainable for a very long time after it leaves the car.

The cost of EV batteries is dropping while they also last longer, can cover more distance on a single charge, and are more durable. With each passing year, technology advances. Experts already predict that EV batteries will last longer than ICE components. The good news is that your electric vehicle (EV) battery will meet your demands for many years to come and that it can even be recycled sustainably once it has powered your car.