- EV batteries degrade by 1.8% per year, retaining 64% range after 20 years.
- Failure rates in EVs produced in the past decade remain below 0.5% across 10,000+ vehicles.
- Higher degradation with heat and frequent fast charging, though modern EVs are more resistant.
Turns out, the biggest myth about electric vehicles (EVs) might be running out of charge itself.
A new study has confirmed what many industry insiders and long-time EV owners already suspected: modern EV batteries are built to last, and then some.
Battery bother? Not really
According to data from UK-based telematics firm Geotab, the average EV battery degrades at just 1.8% per year.
That means even after 20 years - well beyond the average vehicle lifespan in most markets - you’ll still have around 64% of the original range available, assuming nothing catastrophic occurs.
To put that into perspective, most petrol vehicles on the road today don’t even make it to their 15th birthday. That an EV won't last beyond a few years is a claim often made by many sceptics. But this research, which draws from over 10,000 vehicles, might finally put that tired notion to rest.
How to keep your EV’s battery happy
The study also highlights a few battery care basics. Degradation isn’t completely linear: batteries tend to lose a bit more capacity in the early years and near the end of their life, with a relatively stable phase in between.
Climate matters too, as warmer environments can increase wear, so parking in the shade and avoiding repeated fast charging (which slightly increases wear) are smart moves.
Most modern EVs already manage battery temperatures with active cooling systems, but drivers can still do their part.
For example, nickel-based chemistries like NMC and NCM benefit from keeping charge levels between 20% and 80%. Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) packs are more tolerant but may see reduced longevity if consistently topped up.
Built to last, and quietly doing it
EV battery failure does happen, but it’s incredibly rare. Data shows a failure rate of under 0.5% for vehicles built in the past decade. That means the vast majority of EV owners will never encounter a dead battery in the way many fear.
Sure, all batteries degrade over time (whether used or not) but so do hoses, belts and fuel systems in combustion engines.
The difference? EVs are quietly proving they’ve got staying power, and this latest study speaks for itself.