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What is the (real) lifespan of electric car batteries?

Manufacturers claim that electric car batteries have a lifespan of 20 years, but is this true? A study reveals the true longevity of this key element of connected vehicles, which represents between 50 and 70% of their value.

Less than 8% of electric cars over 10 years old required battery replacement

According to a report published by the website Recurrentauto.com, which took into account the opinions of more than 15,000 electric car users, barely 8% of connected vehicles over 10 years old have had to replace their battery with a new one. Regarding the most affected models, the study highlights the Chevrolet Bolt and the Hyundai Kona, although it should be clarified that in both cases they were equipped with defective batteries from LG Chem.

A lifespan estimated between 15 and 20 years by manufacturers

If manufacturers were asked about the lifespan of the batteries in their electric cars, the general answer would be between 15 and 20 years. This is a prediction because plugged-in vehicles have not been on the market long enough to know with certainty the average lifespan of this element.

The Recurrentauto.com report takes into account the experience of electric vehicle drivers, who were asked if they had had to replace the original battery with a new one since purchasing their electric car. The responses provided show that, overall, lithium-ion batteries are a very reliable item, since only 1.5% of the 15,000 people surveyed had to bear this expense.

Non-linear battery degradation

The report also reveals that the degradation of electric car batteries is not linear. It is during the first 50,000 kilometers that the battery loses the most capacity, while after 120,000 km the degradation is slower and more stable.

Thus, most of the battery changes made by the respondents took place during the battery warranty period, which did not result in expenses for owners.

Tips for extending battery life

Finally, the report's authors provide a series of tips for extending the life of electric car batteries. In this regard, one of the most important recommendations is not to overuse high-power DC charging, as this accelerates the degradation of the chemical microstructures of cells.

It is also advisable not to exhaust the autonomy and, wherever possible, to recharge when the level has not fallen below 20% and without exceeding 80% of the total capacity.

By following these recommendations and considering the results of this study, electric car owners can be reassured about the reliability and longevity of their vehicles' batteries, a key element for the sustainability of this sustainable mobility technology.

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