Outlasting Expectations: Study Finds EV Batteries May Outlive Vehicles

Research: Don't worry about wear and tear, most batteries will outlive the electric vehicles they power

Concerns about battery wear and tear might deter some from buying electric vehicles, however, recent information suggests that in most instances, the batteries will survive longer than the vehicles they are used in.

Information is sourced from the "Taking Charge" study published this year by Geotab, a business specializing in providing telematics solutions and services, mainly to businesses managing vehicle fleets. Geotab states its conclusions are drawn from information gathered from 10,000 electric vehicles in use across North America and Europe.

Upon examining the data, Geotab observed an average annual decline in battery capacity of 1.8%, suggesting that batteries might endure beyond two decades with such a degradation rate. Certain cars demonstrated superior longevity, exhibiting a potential yearly battery wear of under 1%.

Noticed wear and tear on electric vehicle batteries as monitored by Geotab in

The figures have shown progress compared to a couple of years back. Back in 2019, data from Geotab indicated that the yearly average battery wear rate stood at 2.3% based on their collected data, but this dropped to 1.6% when the batteries were operated in optimal weather conditions and with proper charging habits.

The study highlights that increased electric vehicle (EV) usage isn't necessarily linked to more significant battery wear and tear. However, there appears to be a connection between extensive use of direct current (DC) fast-charging and accelerated battery deterioration, particularly in warmer regions. Car owners are generally advised to avoid regular usage of fast charging due to these concerns. Nonetheless, a 2023 study from battery analytics company Recurrent revealed that Tesla models tend to handle frequent fast charging better than others.

In the same vein, earlier studies by Recurrent have indicated that electric vehicle batteries tend to deteriorate more quickly in warmer climates. However, there are preventative measures that car owners can implement to slow this process, including opting to park in cooler areas like garages or shaded spots, and maintaining the battery's charge at around 50% during high temperatures. Moreover, it's improbable that such wear and tear from heat would result in drivers being stranded due to their EVs.

Chevy electric vehicles spotted at a Tesla charging hub

It's conceivable that adopting alternative methods might decrease battery wear and tear to a greater extent. Research indicates that starting with a high-power charge during manufacturing can greatly prolong the lifespan of electric vehicle batteries.

Geotab suggests that the minimal decline in battery performance seen in current electric vehicles (EVs) is a positive indicator for fleet operators considering the switch to electric. According to their study, a significant portion, 75%, of light-duty commercial vehicles have potential electric equivalents available now. Additionally, a switch to an EV could result in a substantial lifetime saving of approximately $15,900 per vehicle.

This could also create additional opportunities for repurposing the batteries in applications like storing power generated from solar and wind sources, helping to stabilize the electrical grid, and supporting various renewable energy initiatives.

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