Key points
In an electric vehicle (EV), there’s no part more essential — or expensive — than the battery. Thankfully, EV batteries last for 10 to 20 years on average, and manufacturers cover them under warranty for at least eight years or 100,000 miles. That’s good news for most EV owners, who shouldn’t have to worry about replacing a costly battery out of pocket.
“Most EV drivers will not need to replace the battery in their electric vehicle,” said Chaya Milchtein, an automotive educator, journalist and author of “Mechanic Shop Femme’s Guide to Car Ownership.” “If there is a need to replace that electric battery, they are almost always covered by the warranty from the manufacturer, which is a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles,” Milchtein added.
Understanding how these batteries work, how long they last and how much they cost to replace can help you decide whether an EV is right for you. We spoke with automotive experts to answer these questions and more.
How many years do EV batteries last?
It’s hard to determine the average life span of EV batteries, simply because these vehicles haven’t been around that long. Based on available data, an EV battery’s life expectancy is at least 10 years.
“The average expected life for an electric vehicle battery is at least 10 to 20 years,” Milchtein said, noting that they could last even longer, but data is limited in this area.
Manufacturer car warranties can provide some insight into how long EV batteries should last, said Tim Rodifer, technical director at Moran Family of Brands, a company that franchises the automotive repair brands Milex Complete Auto Care and Mr. Transmission.
“Considering most EV manufacturers are offering an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty, you can expect that the battery should maintain good usage and good performance within that period,” Rodifer said.
What impacts how long EV batteries last?
While EV batteries last for 10 to 20 years on average, some factors can affect the battery longevity. These include charging methods, driving habits and climate.
Charging methods
How you charge the vehicle and how often you charge it can affect the battery’s life span. Both Rodifer and Milchtein recommend keeping the charge between 20% and 80%. If you’re consistently letting the battery drain to 0% and then charging it all the way to 100%, it can impact the battery life.
“If you’re running it completely down to nothing and then charging it for long periods, you’re teaching that memory in the battery not to last as long,” Rodifer said. “You’re cooking that battery.”
Additionally, be mindful of how often you’re using DC fast chargers, which are the ones you usually find at public EV charging stations. While convenient, DC fast charging can affect the battery life if it’s your primary charging method.
“Limit fast charging to the times when you really need it,” Milchtein said. “Instead, the goal is to charge your car at home. Most people charge their car at home while they’re sleeping.”
Driving habits
Besides charging methods, your driving habits are another controllable factor that can impact battery health. Frequent acceleration and fast driving speeds require the vehicle to use more energy, which can drain the battery more quickly.
“If you’re gunning it and always on and off the gas, driving aggressively, that really wears the battery out,” Rodifer said. “Don’t aggressively drive these vehicles.”
Climate
Outside of your control, the climate where you live can also affect the battery. Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can impact battery life. As an example, Rodifer said if two people in Arizona and Tennessee buy the same EV and drive it similarly, the EV battery will last longer for the Tennessee driver because they’re in a milder climate.
“And it’s not anything they’re doing wrong,” he said. “It’s just how the environment plays into how long these last.”
How often do EV batteries need to be replaced?
Battery failures are extremely rare. Excluding recalls, 2016 EVs and newer have a battery replacement rate of less than 1%, according to a study from Recurrent, a Seattle-based company that analyzes EV data. Factoring in 2015 vehicles and older, the replacement rate only increases to 2.5% across all years and models, the study found.
Among the electric car batteries that have failed, many would have been covered under manufacturer warranties. These warranties vary depending on the automaker, so if you’re considering an EV, it’s worth knowing what the warranty may or may not cover.
EV battery warranties
All manufacturers cover EV batteries under factory warranties. The standard EV battery warranty is 8 years/100,000 miles, whichever comes first. In comparison, the average powertrain warranty, which covers an engine and related parts, is 5 years/60,000 miles.
Some manufacturers offer longer EV warranties, extending this coverage for more years or miles. For example, Kia, Hyundai and Genesis have 10-year/100,000-mile warranties for EV batteries. Tesla offers extended warranty mileage limits on some vehicles, including the Model S, Model X and Cybertruck. These models come with an 8-year/150,000-mile battery warranty.
An EV battery warranty typically covers parts, repairs and labor for defects in materials or workmanship. If the battery fails, the manufacturer will repair or replace it, ensuring it has the same or better capacity as before the failure.
Some automakers go one step further to guarantee the battery capacity during the warranty period. For example, the Tesla warranty will pay to replace the battery if it drops below 70% of its original capacity.
EV battery warranties usually transfer to subsequent owners, so if you buy a used EV, it should come with the remainder of the factory warranty.
“Eight years or 100,00 miles is the warranty on the EV system in an electric vehicle, and it does not matter if you’re the third, fourth or 10th owner of the vehicle,” Milchtein said. “That warranty stays with the car.” However, she recommends checking on the warranty’s transferability if it goes beyond 8 years/100,000 miles.
While an EV battery warranty offers broad protection, it typically won’t cover the following situations:
EV battery replacement cost
It won’t be cheap if you need to replace an EV battery once it’s outside the warranty or not covered for a reason listed above. Our experts estimated the cost of a new EV battery begins around $5,000 or $6,000 but can go all the way up to $20,000.
“The average range for replacing an electric vehicle battery is usually somewhere between $6,000 and $20,000,” Milchtein said. “But it’s really hard to say what the actual price is, because it ranges.”
The cost of a replacement EV battery depends on the type of vehicle and the battery’s energy capacity, Rodifer said. A standard-range battery for an economical vehicle, such as a Chevrolet Bolt or Nissan Leaf, may cost around $5,000. But a long-range battery in a Tesla, he said, will cost much more.
“It’s a big window,” he said. “It could be $5,000 to $6,000 on the cheap end to $18,000 to $20,000 on the high end. It’s not cheap by any means.”
What are the signs your EV battery needs to be inspected?
If you’re worried about the high cost of an EV battery replacement, pay attention to the following signs:
What preventative maintenance can you do for an EV battery?
Follow the manufacturer’s recommended car maintenance schedule to keep the battery working its best. Typically, this maintenance includes routine battery inspections, as well as tire rotations and fluid replacements. It’s also necessary to replace the cabin air filters for battery health.
“In these vehicles, changing cabin air filters isn’t an option,” Rodifer said. “The moment that airflow is being compromised, then you’re affecting the longevity of the battery.”
Not only will routine maintenance keep the battery in good shape, but it will also ensure the warranty remains active. If there’s a problem with the battery and you haven’t kept up with maintenance, the manufacturer might deny your claim due to neglect.
“With any manufacturer warranty, you have a responsibility of maintaining your car,” Milchtein said. “If you neglect your car and a part fails, they are no longer obligated to fix it, because it wasn’t caused by normal wear and tear.”
How do EV batteries work?
Most EVs on the road today have lithium-ion battery packs. They’re the same batteries found in smartphones and laptops — just with a lot more power.
A lithium-ion battery contains multiple cells. Each cell has a positive electrode (cathode) and a negative electrode (anode), separated by a chemical called an electrolyte. When driving, electrons flow from the anode to the cathode through the electrolyte, and ions flow in the opposite direction. This flow produces electricity, which powers the car’s electric motor.
Eventually, this flow slows down, and the battery needs to be recharged. When you plug in the EV, the process reverses to restore the battery’s power.
Compared to your smartphone, which may start to lose significant battery power after a few years, an EV battery should keep its charge much longer. Like all batteries, however, it won’t last forever. Typically, EV batteries degrade at a rate of 1% to 2% each year, according to Recurrent.
What’s next?
EV car batteries typically last between 10 and 20 years, so most drivers won’t need to replace them during their ownership. New EVs come with a minimum 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty, which should provide peace of mind.
If you’re considering a used EV, Rodifer recommends paying attention to the vehicle’s age, mileage and previous location, especially if it was driven in an extreme climate. Also, it’s a good idea to make sure the EV warranty is transferable and ask the seller when it ends.
If your EV warranty is close to expiring or you want additional protection, consider purchasing an extended warranty for the vehicle. Explore our picks for the best extended car warranties, including CarShield, our choice for the best EV extended warranty.
Article by: usatoday.com
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