Ignore degradation, batteries will outlast EVs in most cases

• The study found that the average EV battery degrades at a rate of 1.8% per year
• That means EV batteries can last more than 20 years, or longer than the EV itself
• New methods are being developed to reduce degradation even further

Battery damage can be a concern for potential electric vehicle owners, but new data shows that most batteries will outlast the EVs they are installed in.

The information comes from the “Billing” report released earlier this year by Geotab, a company that sells telematics systems and services, mainly to shipping companies. Geotab said it based its findings on data from 10,000 EVs operating in North America and Europe.

Analysis of that data showed an average battery a decline of 1.8% per yearaccording to Geotab, which noted that batteries can 20 years or more at that rate. Some cars have done even better, with battery degradation estimated at less than 1% per year.

Both numbers are an improvement from a few years ago. In 2019, Geotab saw an average annual battery degradation of 2.3% in its sample, although that dropped to 1.6% under ideal weather conditions and charging patterns.

The report emphasizes that high EV usage does not mean a high reductionbut the power is very chargeable. Geotab noted a correlation between heavy use of DC fast charging and faster-than-average battery degradation—especially in vehicles in hot climates. Owners are often warned about the usual fast charging for this reason, although a 2023 analysis by the battery data company Recurrent showed that Teslas did better in this regard.

Similarly, previous analysis from Recurrent showed that EV batteries degrade quickly in hot weather, but owners can take steps to prevent that, such as parking in a garage or in the shade, and leaving the battery half-charged in hot weather. Any ravages of hot weather are also unlikely to go away people are attached to EVs.

Chevrolet EVs at a Tesla Supercharger station

It could also be the battery destruction can be reduced even more so with different processes. Some studies have found that a high-capacity initial charge can significantly extend the life of an EV battery.

The low rate of battery degradation seen in EVs already on the road should give fleet managers more confidence in electrification, Geotab said. In its report, the company estimates that 75% of light commercial vehicles can be replaced with similar EVs today, and an EV can provide cost savings of $15,900 per vehicle over its lifetime.