EV Batteries Last 13 Years Before Major Degradation

One of the biggest fears holding people back from buying electric cars just got crushed by real-world data.

Geotab, a Canadian fleet management company, analyzed battery health 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 taking the leap.

The batteries lose just 2.3% of their capacity each year on average. That means after 13 years of driving, an electric car's battery still holds about 75% of its original charge.

Here's the best part: most Americans only keep their cars for eight years anyway. So for the typical driver, an EV battery will outlast ownership by five full years.

The study tracked real drivers in real conditions, not perfect lab settings. These vehicles faced different weather, charging habits, and driving patterns. Some owners relied heavily on DC fast chargers that juice up cars in minutes, while others used slower overnight charging at home.

Fast charging does speed up battery wear because it heats up the battery more. But even accounting for that, the numbers remained reassuring across the board.

Geotab's previous study in 2024 actually showed an even lower degradation rate of 1.8% per year. The slight increase in 2025 came from tracking more vehicles and seeing more people use fast charging, which reflects how EVs are actually being used in everyday life.

The Ripple Effect

This research arrives at the perfect moment. As the world moves away from gas-powered cars, anxiety about battery longevity has been a major roadblock for potential buyers.

Now fleet managers can confidently invest in electric vehicles knowing they'll serve reliably for over a decade. Individual car buyers can stop worrying their expensive battery will die right after the warranty expires.

The environmental wins stack up too. Previous research shows EVs start reducing their carbon footprint within just two years compared to gas cars. With batteries lasting well over a decade, that's many years of cleaner driving.

New battery technology coming to market promises even longer lifespans. Semi-solid-state batteries could push electric cars to stay road-worthy for even more miles while holding their resale value longer.

The data demolishes the myth that EV batteries are ticking time bombs ready to fail and cost owners thousands in replacements. They're built to go the distance.