The battery is the heart — and the most expensive part — of an electric car, so “how long will it last?” is the question every EV owner asks. The reassuring news from real-world data is: probably longer than you’ll own the car.
What the data actually shows
A 2025 study by fleet-telematics firm Geotab analysed real battery-health data from more than 22,700 EVs across 21 makes and models. The headline findings:
- Batteries degrade about 2.3% per year on average — a projected lifespan of 13 years or more.
- After eight years, the average battery still holds around 82% of its original capacity.
- Only about 2.5% of all EVs have ever needed a battery replacement — and for 2022-and-newer models, just 0.3%.
In other words, for most owners the battery simply isn’t the fragile, short-lived component it’s rumoured to be.
What speeds degradation up
The same data shows the factors within your influence:
- Charging method. Frequent high-power DC fast charging (more than ~12% of sessions) pushed degradation up to about 3.0% per year, versus roughly 1.5% for drivers who mostly used slower AC charging.
- Climate. EVs in hot climates degraded around 0.4% faster per year than those in mild conditions — heat is hard on batteries.
How to make yours last
You don’t need to baby it, but a few habits help:
- Charge mostly on AC (home or workplace) and save DC fast charging for trips.
- Keep everyday charging in a moderate band — many manufacturers suggest roughly 20–80% for daily use, charging to 100% only before a long drive.
- Avoid leaving the car sitting at very high or very low charge, especially in extreme heat.
- Follow your manufacturer’s specific guidance — settings and recommendations vary.
Most EV batteries are also covered by a long warranty, commonly around 8 years or 160,000 km (100,000 miles).
Keep an eye on it over time
Battery health changes slowly, which makes it easy to ignore — until resale, when it matters a lot. Logging your car’s range and charging behaviour over months gives you a real feel for how it’s holding up, and a documented history helps at sale time. Track it alongside your servicing and charging costs in the maintenance reminders feature. Open the app to start your EV’s record.
Read next
- Do electric cars need maintenance?
- Regenerative braking: why EV brakes last longer
- Switching to an EV: a new owner’s checklist
Frequently asked questions
How long do EV batteries last?
A 2025 real-world study of over 22,700 EVs found batteries degrade about 2.3% per year on average, which works out to a projected lifespan of 13 years or more — retaining roughly 82% of capacity after eight years. Only about 2.5% of EVs have ever needed a battery replacement, and far fewer among newer models.
Does fast charging damage the battery?
Heavy reliance on high-power DC fast charging speeds up degradation somewhat — the 2025 data showed up to about 3.0% per year for frequent fast-chargers versus around 1.5% for those who mostly charge on slower AC. Occasional fast charging on trips is fine; making it your only charging is what to avoid.
What's the best way to care for an EV battery?
Charge mainly on slower AC when you can, keep the daily charge in a moderate band (many makers suggest around 20–80% for everyday use, 100% only before long trips), avoid leaving it at very high or very low charge in extreme heat, and follow your manufacturer's guidance. Batteries also generally outlast the rest of the car.
How Kotselog helps: Never miss an oil change, tire rotation, or brake service again. See the maintenance reminders feature →
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