EV Batteries Last 13 Years Before Hitting 75% Capacity

If you've been holding back on buying an electric car because you're worried the battery will die in a few years, here's some reassuring news.

Geotab, a Canadian fleet management company, just analyzed real-world data from more than 22,700 electric vehicles across 21 different makes and models. What they found should make anyone considering an EV feel a lot better about their investment.

The batteries are degrading at just 2.3% per year on average. That means after 13 years on the road, your EV's battery would still hold about 75% of its original capacity.

Here's the best part: Americans typically own their cars for only 8 years. So even with some battery wear, most EV owners will sell or trade in their vehicles long before degradation becomes a real problem.

The study tracked real vehicles being driven every day by regular people, not pristine test cars in laboratory conditions. These are EVs being charged at home, zapped with fast chargers on road trips, and driven in hot summers and freezing winters.

Geotab did note that certain habits speed up battery aging. Using DC fast chargers frequently causes more wear than slower home charging because they heat up the battery more. Climate and driving patterns also play a role, with some models holding up better than others.

The Ripple Effect

This finding matters beyond individual car buyers. Fleet operators for delivery services, ride-sharing companies, and government agencies can now confidently invest in electric vehicles knowing they'll get solid performance for over a decade.

The environmental case for EVs gets even stronger too. Previous research shows electric cars start reducing their carbon footprint within just two years compared to gas vehicles. Now we know they'll keep delivering those environmental benefits for well over a decade of reliable service.

New semi-solid-state batteries coming to market promise even longer lifespans, which means future EVs could stay on the road longer and hold their value better when it's time to sell.

The shift to electric isn't just about cutting emissions anymore—it's becoming the smarter financial choice too.