How long does an electric car battery last?
South Africa is rather unique in that we tend to keep cars longer than most. This results in many older cars still happily serving motorists every day but with the electric future that we're facing, how long will the battery systems in these electric vehicles last?
Whether you're subscribed to the notion that our follies fuel reserves are running dry or not, whether you believe in global warming or don't, there's no denying that the world of nobility is switching to electrification as an alternate means of propulsion. Very few manufacturers don't have an electrification plan in place, and even smaller, less mainstream entities are being forced to make provisions.
Related: Can electric car batteries be replaced?
Electric vehicles (EV) and electrified cars (hybrids/BEV/PHEV) are a little different to regular internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles despite manufacturers doing their utmost to make the shift as seamless as possible. At their very core, their operation is different with electric motors being powered by batteries, rather than internal combustion engines being powered by petrol or diesel. This brings with it a few unknowns for the general population.
How long does an electric car battery last?
This question can be taken one of two way; many are still wondering how far you can drive on a full charge while others are wondering about the overall lifespan of the batteries.
The first question can be answered rather simply. In the same way that not all ICE vehicles have the same range, EVs don't all have the same potential range. The smaller the battery, the less mileage it is able to do. Smaller battery systems found in small hatchbacks (MINI SE) will yield approximately 200 km from a single charge while larger SUVs with larger battery systems will be able to do in excess of 400 km from a single charge.
The second question is the one you're probably looking for; what is the lifespan of an EV battery?
While the technology is still relatively new when one looks at the entire timeline of the automobile, researchers and engineers have been able to assess the degradation of these battery systems and calculate their expected lifespan. EVs have been around for long enough for us to see that even the older technology employed in battery designs have given them usable lifespans of over 10-years. Newer batteries are expected to last longer than this with 320 000 km expected from a battery system, if not more.
Manufacturers are so confident in this that they are prepared to offer an 8-year warranty on the battery packs, ensuring that they will still have as much as 80% usable capacity after this time.
