As electric vehicles and other vehicles powered by electricity (EVs) get more and more popular, many people looking to switch are interested in knowing the duration of the battery in an EV lasts?
While battery lifespan varies depending on the manufacturer and the battery’s age, it is possible for new batteries to be competitive and sometimes surpass the life span of drivetrain components in Internal combustion engines (ICE) vehicles.
EV Batteries The Basics
Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries power electric vehicles with a higher energy density than the lead-acid batteries used inside an internal combustion engine or rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries found in hybrids. The battery’s energy density means it can produce more power than its size, making it ideal for electric cars.
Since EVs are powered by batteries alone, they are a lot simpler and more productive than ICE vehicles. Because lithium-ion batteries have slowed in price by 97% in the past 30 years, experts believe that EVs will soon be as inexpensive to make as ICE vehicles.
What Happens When EV Batteries degrade?
EV batteries usually decline because of cycles, temperature, and length. Operating temperatures and storage temperatures can significantly impact EV battery life; generally speaking, warmer climates adversely impact the life span of the EV battery.
When the battery is subjected to charging cycles — being that is, it is discharged during driving and then charged again when plugging in the battery slowly loses the maximum power. However, just because you’re not charging or using your battery for electric vehicles does not mean that it will last forever. The decline in the calendar is when the battery loses its life as time passes.
In contrast to the lithium-ion batteries found in laptops or phones, they use complex BMSs (BMS), which regulate the way battery cells are recharged and discharged to extend their lifespan. So, your battery from EV is the most likely to suffer from temperature or even calendar degrading.
How long does the Electric Car Battery Last?
That leaves the question what is the length of time you can think your battery from an EV will last? For consumers, the federal government requires EV manufacturers to guarantee the battery for up to 8 years and 100,000 miles, and California gives that warranty for one year or 100,000 miles.
As battery packs for electric vehicles become less expensive, companies can create bigger batteries with greater energy potential that, in turn, increase their range of miles. Furthermore, the new technology helps reduce the degrading of batteries, which means in time, the highest potential remains closer to the new battery.
Also, since the latest batteries have significantly increased their range of mileage, even as they get older, they’ll keep a longer range of mileage than the batteries of just a few years back. Additionally, since lithium-ion batteries consist of many cells, you seldom have to replace the whole battery if it is degrading. Instead, you can save money by changing dead cells.
How long does the battery life of an EV Comparatively to ICE Vehicles?
The required warranties (8 years 100,000 miles) for batteries for electric vehicles are far over the average ICE warranty for the drivetrain on a vehicle of five years, or about 60,000 miles. The average lifetime miles for an ICE car is approximately thirteen thousand miles. Experts estimate that an average EV battery lasts about 200,000 miles; a few companies have promised much greater.
The news keeps getting more exciting: Tesla has their sights on a million-mile battery and says they are on the verge of reaching this goal. The average battery for EVs will only lose capacity at 2.3 percent of their maximum capacity every calendar year. Therefore, with the right treatment, you can count on your electric vehicle’s battery to last for as long or longer than ICE components in the drivetrain.
How to Increase Battery Life
Although the batteries of EVs are sturdy, there are specific actions that owners can do to increase the lifespan of their batteries.
Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for EVs
The first step is to adhere to your vehicle’s specific guidelines to ensure the best battery performance and ensure that your vehicle’s software is up to current. Since each EV manufacturer uses various cooling and battery chemistries as well as techniques, each one will have its own set of best working and charging guidelines.
Maintain Moderate Temperatures
Electric vehicles with liquid-cooled batteries have greater battery longevity because they have lower operating temperatures. It is generally recommended to store and operate your vehicle in mild conditions to prolong the life of your battery. Even if you reside in a warmer climate, parking your car inside a garage or a well-lit space is beneficial since most of a car’s time is in a garage.
Reduce Rapid Charging
Although sometimes using DCRC or direct current (DCRC) to provide power to your vehicle is acceptable, if you reduce how often you use this process, you will likely have less battery damage. It’s good news that EV Connect offers a range of chargers to provide various reliable solutions for your car. Remember: Don’t be afraid to utilize your electric vehicle since frequent use isn’t the primary element in the degradation of batteries.
A Second Life for an EV Battery
The most exciting feature associated with EV batteries degrading for environmentally conscious consumers can be the realization that they may still serve a possible use after the time they have left your EV. Although they are less efficient in powering a car (usually around 70 percent of their maximum charge capacity), these strong EV batteries can still have enough power to be paired with solar power and act as energy sources for your home.
Some manufacturers take back or purchase old batteries to generate power for different projects like sports venues. You can feel confident that the longevity of your electric vehicle’s energy source continues for a long time after it has left the vehicle.
The EV batteries will continue to fall in price and can travel further miles on a single charge and last longer. Experts are already predicting they EV batteries will outlast the lifespan of ICE components as technology advances each year. This is a good thing: Your battery from the EV will be able to meet your needs for a long time to come and could even be recycled sustainably when it is no longer running your vehicle.
