A new study by Geotab revealed that electric vehicle (EV) batteries are likely to outlast the vehicles themselves, challenging long-standing concerns about EV battery longevity.

According to Geotab’s research, which analyzed data from nearly 5,000 fleet and private EVs, the findings provide that battery technology has significantly improved in recent years.

The study found that EV batteries now degrade at an average rate of just 1.8% per year, a notable improvement from Geotab’s 2019 analysis, which reported a 2.3% annual degradation rate. At this current rate, EV batteries could last 20 years or more, with most batteries expected to retain over 80% of their original capacity after 12 years of use.

Given that the average vehicle lifespan is around 15 years, these findings suggest that the vast majority of EV batteries will outlive the vehicles they power.

Interestingly, the study identified significant differences in battery degradation rates among different EV models, with the best-performing models showing degradation rates as low as 1.0% per year. Environmental factors also play a role in battery health, with EVs in hotter climates experiencing slightly higher degradation rates. This highlights the importance of effective battery cooling systems in EV design.

While frequent DC fast-charging was found to have a minimal impact on battery health, there was an observable difference between vehicles regularly using Level 2 charging versus those using Level 1 charging. Surprisingly, high-use EVs did not exhibit significantly higher battery degradation.

David Savage, Vice President for the UK and Ireland at Geotab, expressed on the findings stating, “With these higher levels of sustained health, batteries in the latest EV models will comfortably outlast the usable life of the vehicle and will likely not need to be replaced.”

For fleet operators, the findings suggest that EVs offer better value the more they are driven, which could accelerate EV adoption in commercial settings.

Longer-lasting batteries also contribute to the overall sustainability of EVs, reducing the need for battery replacements and supporting the circular economy through potential second-life applications.

From an economic perspective, Geotab’s “Taking Charge: On the Road to an EV Future” report suggests that fleets could save an average of £13,279 (around $17,640) per vehicle over seven years by transitioning from internal combustion engines (ICEs) to EVs. This potential for significant cost savings, coupled with the improved longevity of batteries, presents a compelling case for widespread EV adoption.

With comprehensive telematics data in understanding and optimizing EV performance, access to accurate state-of-health information allows both individual owners and fleet operators to make informed decisions about their vehicles, maximizing value throughout the EV lifecycle.

Read More: New High-Current Charging Technique Could Extend EV Battery Life By 50% 

With batteries now expected to outlast the vehicles they power, the findings not only reinforce the reliability of EV technology but also highlight the rapid advancements being made in the field, paving the acceleration to electric mobility.

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