A new study conducted in Britain has provided insights into the longevity of electric vehicle (EV) batteries, revealing that these high-voltage batteries tend to preserve their capacity much more effectively throughout their lifespan than previously anticipated. The research, undertaken by Generational, assessed the condition of batteries from 8,000 electric vehicles, ranging in age from brand new to as old as 12 years, and monitored the usage of these vehicles, with some having driven up to around 260,000 kilometers.

The study utilized the State of Health (SoH) metric to evaluate battery capacity, indicating the percentage of remaining capacity compared to that of a new battery, which is regarded as 100 percent. The findings revealed that the average remaining capacity across all vehicles studied was approximately 95 percent, an impressive statistic that underscores the durability of electric car batteries. Older models, specifically those between 8 to 12 years old, showed a median battery capacity of 85 percent, demonstrating that even as they age, these batteries can perform quite well.

Moreover, the research indicated that even the lowest-performing batteries in this age category had retained at least 82 percent capacity, while the highest performers managed to hold onto about 90 percent of their capacity. This study sheds light on an important aspect of electric vehicles that could enhance consumer confidence in their longevity and reliability, and it could encourage more widespread adoption of electric vehicles as a sustainable transportation option. Furthermore, the average warranty provided by car manufacturers for EV batteries typically lasts for eight years or up to 160,000 kilometers, but these findings suggest that the batteries may last well beyond these benchmarks, potentially reshaping warranty expectations and influencing future battery technology advancements.