How long do electric car batteries last? EV battery recycling

This reduces the car’s fully-charged electric range given enough time and repeated charging.

However, there are ways to reduce the degradation, and it shouldn’t be a deal-breaker if you are considering buying or leasing an electric vehicle (EV). Unlike in many smaller electronic items, battery losses in cars are small and incremental. 

Most EVs use lithium-ion batteries. These degrade over hundreds of charge/use cycles, becoming less effective in the process.

However, drivers can expect upwards of 10 years or 100,000 miles of use – with reports of twice that distance – from an electric car. As such, the lifespan of an EV is not dissimilar to a conventional petrol or diesel model.

Battery degradation won’t hugely affect the EV’s performance in terms of acceleration, refinement or cruising ability. It will lessen the range, but even an eight-year-old Nissan Leaf may only see losses of around 20% versus new, according to independent tests.¹

Fully charging or entirely depleting your EV’s battery can degrade it more quickly. Keeping the charge level between around 20% and 80% is optimum to make your battery last longer. It’s no coincidence that car makers often quote charging times to 80%, rather than full.

The frequent use of DC rapid chargers also has a detrimental effect on the life of EV batteries. Rapid charging is the quickest way to refill an EV battery, and the fastest public charge points can top them up to 80% in 30-40 minutes.   

EVs have sophisticated battery management systems to help calm the effects of rapid charging and protect the batteries from overcharging. This is why rapid chargers begin to ‘taper’ (reduce the power they deliver) once batteries are more than 80% full.

If you’re charging more slowly via a home charge point or a domestic socket, charge overnight when the ambient temperature is lower to preserve battery health. Another tip is to use the car as soon as you can after it has finished charging.

If your EV is going to sit around without being driven or only used locally, don’t fully charge it first. Keep the battery around half full, as this is better for its long-term health. 

Aggressive acceleration and hard use also speed up battery wear. It will also reduce the range between charges, so it’s much better to take things slow and steady. Avoid extreme temperatures if possible, too, as these can reduce the car’s range and battery performance.

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Most new electric car batteries enjoy warranties of around eight years and 100,000 miles. This usually far exceeds the cover offered on other components of the car, which gives you an idea of the battery’s reliability.

Such warranties typically guarantee a minimum of 70% battery capacity (and therefore range) at the end of the cover period. 

We've outlined some of the most popular manufacturer warranties (correct at time of writing) for new electric cars below.

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Replacing the batteries in an older electric vehicle probably wouldn’t be a viable thing to do, as battery technology is moving on all the time. However, older EV batteries can be recycled and used for other purposes.

Once the usable in-car lifespan of electric car batteries is over, the most common ‘second life’ for them is for domestic or commercial energy storage. This includes retaining the electricity produced by home solar panels during the daytime for release at night.

Nissan, Renault and Tesla offer home and commercial energy storage solutions using second-hand EV batteries. Find out more about electric vehicles' environmental impact.

The decline in EV battery capacity over time is only really of concern if you're buying a used car – or planning to retain a new one for many years. Even then, any loss of range will only be slow and gradual. 

For all intents and purposes, the lifespan of EV batteries and therefore the useful ‘first-life’ of an EV itself is broadly comparable to that of a traditional combustion car. 

Even after the EV and its battery are having a second life off the road, the ability – and commercial incentive – to recycle used EV batteries should soften any lingering long-term environmental doubts or concerns.

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The RAC is the first breakdown assistance company in the UK to introduce a mobile charging unit for electric vehicle owners who have run out of charge. We are the number one provider of breakdown cover for electric vehicles. ​Find out more about RAC EV Boost.​

Are you sold on EVs? Or are you planning on holding on to your petrol car as long as possible? Leave us a comment below.