How long will an EV last before it has to be replaced? A guide to electric car battery life

Welcome to The Switch, Euronews Next's new mobility series for people considering making the switch to an EV.

As the pace of electrification quickens amid a growing climate crisis and an uncertain economic outlook, we'll be your companion as you make the transition from your fossil-fuelled car to electric. 

Each week, we’ll offer guidance and insights from industry experts as well as aim to demystify the process and dispel misinformation.

As electric vehicles (EVs) continue to gain popularity, the role of the circular economy in reusing and recycling their components is becoming increasingly important. 

EV batteries have a finite lifespan and gradually undergo degradation - a process of chemical and physical changes that reduce their ability to hold a charge over time. 

As a result, battery performance diminishes with age, raising important questions for potential buyers of new or used battery EVs regarding battery longevity, the durability of their components, and the options when it reaches the end of its life.

Modern EVs are designed to last 15-20 years, comparable to or even longer than traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. 

The key factor in their longevity is the battery. EV batteries are typically considered at the end of their life when they drop below 70 to 80 per cent of their original capacity. 

However, advancements in battery technology suggest that many EVs now sustain their performance well beyond this capacity threshold, so using this benchmark to determine the end-of-life for lithium-ion batteries may well become outdated in the future. 

Many car manufacturers offer warranties for an average of eight years or 160,000 km, but real-world data shows that batteries often last much longer.

Battery