Which Lasts Longer? Electric Vehicles or Traditional Gas Cars?
While skeptics often cast doubt on electric vehicle battery longevity, a fresh study offers compelling evidence that modern EV batteries can outlast the average gas-powered car by several years—with room to spare.
According to new data from UK-based telematics provider Geotab, today's EV batteries degrade very slowly—just around 1.8% per year on average. At that rate, most batteries can comfortably continue functioning for 20 years or more, significantly outlasting the average U.S. vehicle, which is now about 14 years old.
Despite persistent myths, battery degradation is proving to be far less concerning than critics suggest. Over two decades, an EV battery will typically retain around 64% of its original capacity, assuming no major failures—hardly a fatal flaw, especially given the typical driving patterns and urban use of most EV owners.
Importantly, large-scale data backs this up. The study analyzed performance from over 10,000 electric vehicles, showing that serious battery failures are extremely rare. For EVs produced in the past decade, the failure rate is under 0.5%, which positions EV batteries as one of the most reliable components in the vehicle.
That said, battery wear isn't uniform. Degradation tends to occur more noticeably in the early years, before stabilizing—then may pick up again near the battery's end-of-life. Hot climates are especially hard on battery health, as heat accelerates chemical breakdown. Parking in shaded areas and avoiding charging during extreme heat can help extend battery life.
Today's EVs are equipped with sophisticated thermal management systems to regulate battery temperature, but fast charging—particularly DC rapid charging—still puts a bit more strain on the battery compared to slower Level 1 or Level 2 charging.
For those driving EVs with NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) or NCM (nickel-cobalt-manganese) batteries, keeping the charge between 20% and 80% is a good strategy to preserve longevity. LFP (lithium-iron-phosphate) batteries are less sensitive to full charges, although one study suggests that constantly charging them to 100% could also reduce their lifespan slightly.
Ultimately, all batteries degrade, just like combustion engines wear down, hoses crack, or fuel pumps corrode over time—even if the car is rarely driven. But unlike the outdated fears, the reality is clear: with minimal effort and smart charging habits, EV owners can expect their battery to easily outlive the lifespan of the typical gasoline vehicle.
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