As electric cars and other electric vehicles (EVs) become more common, many people who are thinking about switching are curious about how long the batteries last. Batteries vary in how long they last depending on the brand and how old they are, but new batteries should last at least as long as motor parts in cars with internal combustion engines (ICE).
EV Batteries: The Basics
Lithium-ion batteries, which power electric cars, have a better energy density than nickel-cadmium batteries, which are used in some hybrid cars, or lead-acid batteries, which are used in cars with internal combustion engines. Electric cars should use lithium-ion batteries because they have a high energy density and can produce more power than their size.
Because they run on batteries alone, EVs are much easier to use and more fuel-efficient than ICE cars. The cost of making EVs will soon be the same as making ICE cars, say experts, since the price of lithium-ion batteries has dropped by 97% in the last 30 years.
How do EV batteries break down?
Temperature, cycle, and time are the main things that weaken EV batteries. Keeping and using an EV battery at different temperatures has a big effect on how long it lasts. Batteries that are kept in warmer places tend to last less time. As the battery goes through charge cycles, it loses power slowly. While driving, the battery is totally dead, but when it is plugged back in, it is fully charged. However, just because you last used or charged your EV battery a while ago doesn’t mean it will last forever; cycle degradation is the slow loss of battery life over time.
EV batteries need complex battery management systems (BMS) that control how they are charged and drained so that they last longer. The lithium-ion batteries in phones and computers are different from this. This means that the weather or calendar is more likely to be to blame for your EV battery’s decline.
How long does the battery in an electric car last?
So, the question still stands: How long do you think an EV battery will last? Luckily for customers, EV makers are required by law to offer a battery warranty that lasts for eight years or 100,000 miles. In California, the warranty can be extended to ten years or 150,000 miles.
As the cost of making batteries goes down, companies may make bigger batteries with more energy capacity. This will allow electric car battery packs to go farther. Better technology also slows down battery degradation, which means that over time, the greatest potential stays close to that of a brand-new battery. Also, newer batteries will have a longer mileage range than cells from a few years ago, even when they start to break down because their mileage range has already grown so much. Lastly, lithium-ion batteries rarely need to be replaced as a whole as they age because they are made up of many separate cells. You could also save money by replacing dead cells.
How long do EV batteries last compared to those in ICE cars?
In an internal combustion engine (ICE) car, the warranty on the drivetrain lasts for five years or 60,000 miles. For electric vehicle batteries, the warranty lasts for eight years or 100,000 miles. On average, an ICE car will go about 133,000 miles in its lifetime. As a general rule, an EV battery will last 200,000 miles, but some makers have already offered warranties that are much longer.
The good news keeps coming: Tesla says it is almost there with its goal of making a battery that can go a million miles. EV batteries only lose 2.3% of their full capacity every year if they are properly cared for. This means that they should last as long or longer than ICE drivetrain parts.
How Can EV Batteries Last Longer?
Even though EV batteries are naturally strong, owners can do things to make them last longer.
Follow the steps that come with your electric vehicle
To get the most out of your EV’s battery, you should first follow the manufacturer’s instructions and make sure the software is always up to date. Because different EV makers use different battery chemistries and cooling methods, each will have its own best charging and running conditions.
Keep the temperature at a reasonable level
EVs with batteries that are cooled by liquid have batteries that last longer because they work at lower temperatures. Generally, one of the best ways to make your battery last longer is to store and drive your electric car in a cool place. Since a car spends most of its life in a garage or a well-shaded place, parking there is better, even if you live somewhere warmer.
Cut down on the need to charge quickly
Direct current rapid charging (DCRC) is a good way to charge your car sometimes, but you should try to limit how often you use it so the battery doesn’t die too quickly. For your convenience, EV Connect has a number of charging stations, giving you a number of good choices for your car. It would help if you weren’t afraid to use your EV either since regular use doesn’t hurt the battery too much.
The Second Life of a Battery for an Electric Car
One of the coolest things about EV battery decline for people who care about the environment is that batteries can still be useful after you take them out of your car. Even though these powerful EV batteries lose some of their power when used to power a car (usually up to 70% of their full charge capacity), they last long enough to work with solar power to make extra energy for your home. Some companies take back or collect old batteries to use them to power other projects in an environmentally friendly way, like sports arenas. You can be sure that your EV will still have power long after you take it out of your car.
Electric vehicle (EV) batteries are getting cheaper, last longer, and can go farther between charges. They think that EV batteries will last longer than ICE parts, and every year, the technology gets better. Glad to hear that your EV battery can last for a long time. And when it does, you can recycle it in an environmentally friendly way.
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