A recent study conducted in the United Kingdom revealed that the average health of electric vehicle (EV) batteries stands at an impressive 95.15%. This finding comes from an analysis of over 8,000 EVs and surpasses initial expectations regarding battery longevity and performance. While factors such as age and mileage do affect battery capacity, the majority of these batteries exceed typical warranty thresholds, indicating they can often outlast the vehicles they power.
The research, carried out by Generational, a firm specializing in evaluating EV battery health, analyzed vehicles from various manufacturers. The study’s data set included models ranging from less than one year old to those up to 12 years old, with mileage reaching as high as 160,000 miles. Generational’s report emphasizes that battery degradation is not the widespread issue it was once thought to be.
Insights on Battery Longevity
According to Generational, “Battery degradation is not the systemic risk it was once assumed to be. Real-world data shows that most EV batteries comfortably exceed warranty thresholds, even at higher ages and mileages.” Most vehicles tested were found to retain a significant portion of their original battery capacity, contributing to the study’s high average score.
The analysis highlighted that while age tends to reduce battery health, many older EVs maintain a respectable performance level. For instance, the median battery health of vehicles aged 2-3 years was recorded at 96.94%. This figure gradually decreased to 95.17% for those aged 3-4 years and further dropped to 85.04% for the 8-12 year category. Despite these declines, many older vehicles continue to function effectively, preventing the average from falling dramatically.
While there are instances of poor battery performance, Generational’s data indicates a broad spectrum of outcomes as vehicles age. The company observed that the lowest-performing 1% of vehicles in the 4-5 year bracket exhibited just over 80% of their original battery capacity, which is not ideal but still demonstrates that many batteries are holding up well.
Factors Influencing Battery Health
The study also revealed that mileage is not always a reliable indicator of battery health. EVs with over 100,000 miles frequently showed between 88% and 95% of their initial capacity, regardless of age. Anecdotal evidence supports this conclusion, with examples like a 2019 Tesla Model 3 having 113,000 miles yet retaining around 79% capacity due to its charging habits and climate exposure.
Generational argues for increased awareness and testing of battery health to enhance transparency in the used EV market. The firm believes that uncertainty surrounding battery performance is a significant barrier to sales in the secondhand market. If potential buyers are better informed about battery health, it could increase consumer confidence and potentially elevate residual values.
The findings paint a positive picture for those considering purchasing a used EV. The evidence suggests that, particularly for vehicles a few years old, buyers need not be overly concerned about battery degradation. The data supports the notion that many used electric vehicles remain robust and reliable, making them an attractive option for consumers.
As the electric vehicle market continues to grow, understanding battery health will be paramount for both buyers and sellers. The insights from this study highlight the importance of ongoing evaluation and transparency, ensuring that electric vehicle ownership remains a viable and sustainable choice for the future.