Electric vehicles have considerably less maintenance than conventional gas vehicles, but all batteries degrade over time. Of course, we’re all familiar with charging cycles on a smartphone and how a three-year-old iPhone probably doesn’t hold a charge as long as it did the day you bought it. Without getting too technical, this is known as battery degradation or the rate at which a battery degrades during its lifecycle. Many of us have accomplished some battery degradation.
Every time you charge a smartphone to 100% and then let it discharge to zero counts as a charge cycle on the Lithium-ion battery. Over time, these charging cycles cheapen the battery, and eventually, even if it says 100% on the screen, it’s closer to 80%. As a result, the total capacity will decrease in every part of the product’s life.
The same thing occurs to the Lithium-ion battery cells inside an E.V. Think of it like your gas tank getting compact over time. As some of the cells degrade and expire, the usable size of the battery decrease. However, don’t let this worry you, as E.V. batteries are built to an exceptionally high level, reduce slowly, and will likely last longer than you own the vehicle.
Experts suggest that E.V. batteries generally last anywhere from 10-20 years. That’s remarkably longer than most people own a vehicle and longer than your average gas-powered ICE (internal combustion) engine.
More importantly, auto manufacturers guarantee it, too. The battery likely comes with an eight-year warranty depending on your vehicle’s make and model. Your E.V.’s battery will still degrade over time, and that warranty promises that your E.V. battery should still power at least 70% capacity after eight years. So yes, your “electric tank” got a smaller compact, but it’s still competent.
According to a survey by Cox Automotive, many potential E.V. buyers have reservations about battery life and the costs of battery replacement.
For many, bearing in mind purchasing an electric vehicle, just under half believe the average battery life to be less than 65,000 miles (+- 105,000 km).
How many hours does an E.V. take to Recharge its Battery?
It depends on the battery’s size and whether you charge using a regular 120V outlet, a 240V charging station, or a fast charger. Plug-in hybrids with smaller batteries can recharge in about 3 hours at 120V and 1.5 hrs. at 240V. Electric vehicles with larger batteries can take up to 20+ hours at 120V and 4-8 hours using a 240V charger. Electric vehicles with fast charging can receive an 80% charge in about 20 minutes.
According to the manufacturers’ websites (unless otherwise noted) for the following 2022 vehicles:
How many hours does an E.V. Battery Last?
Just as conventional vehicles have large or small fuel tanks, lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles come in different sizes. Rather than liters of fuel, their capacity is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). A typical 40kWh battery pack from a mainstream electric vehicle might be sufficient to power it for 150 miles or more. In comparison, Tesla’s giant 100kWh battery is good for 375 miles according to the WLTP standard – which aims to estimate vehicles’ real-world range or fuel economy.
WLTP is an abbreviation of the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure, which came into effect in 2017 and was set up to measure fuel consumption, CO2 levels, and other pollutants released from passenger vehicles. It returns the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC)
You maybe recognize the kilowatt-hour from your electricity bill – it’s the industry standard charging unit. A 40kWh battery holds sufficient energy to power a typical home for four days!
Electric Vehicles having
the Longest Range:
The Model S from Tesla has an enviable range of 405 miles, making it the most dependable electric vehicle in the segment. However, two offerings from the Mercedes-Benz stable – the EQE and EQS – have reported ranges of 410 miles and 485 miles, respectively.
Electric vehicles having
the shortest range :
As a regulation of thumb, the larger the vehicle, the larger the battery. The reverse is also true. With less space for a battery, small city vehicles are planned to be agile, cheap to run, and easy to park—but not to travel long distances.
The smallest E.V. we could find was the Smart Fortwo E.Q. A two-seater city vehicle with a range of 84 miles on a single charge. However, a full charge would take only 40 minutes at a charging speed of 22 kW—much less than charging an E.V. with a larger battery.
Overview of Electric Vehicles Range:
Disclaimer :
The shortest and longest E.V. range belongs to the Smart Fortwo E.Q. and Tesla Model S Long Range Plus. The average is based on calculations by the Electric Vehicle database.
The lifespan of an Electric Vehicle Battery :
The most critical question about electric vehicles is how long the battery will last. It’s no secret that an E.V.’s battery health diminishes over time, and it can decline even more quickly in maximal temperatures or if D.C. fast chargers are used too frequently.
Most E.V. manufacturers claim that the battery will last as long as the vehicle’s life, even with reduced capacity.
The U.S. Department of Energy explains that lithium-ion batteries have a “limited number of charging cycles.” Still, batteries are more commonly replaced due to a crash or a malfunction than reduced battery capacity.
Every battery in an electric vehicle comes with a warranty that lasts for a minimum of eight years or up to 100,000 miles, says VehicleFax. For example, Kia offers a battery pack warranty for ten years or 100,000 miles, while Hyundai provides a lifetime coverage of its electric vehicles’ batteries.
This standard warranty is excellent, but don’t forget to look at the fine print. Some constructors only cover the battery if it completely dies and cannot hold a charge, which does not happen often. Brands like BMW, Chevrolet, Volkswagen, and Nissan, Tesla will cover a battery pack if its capacity drops to a certain percentage, usually 60 to 70 percent.
One central point to remember about a vehicle’s expected battery is that heat and lithium-ion do not pair well together. Vehicles located in hotter climates will typically experience a faster battery depletion. This is why most electric vehicles are equipped with a liquid-cooled battery pack.
Another thing that can diminish batteries’ lifespan is using Level 3 fast-charging stations. These stations can charge up to 80% in 30 minutes, but they can also overheat the battery. Vehiclefax warns that this can affect the battery’s long-term performance and longevity.
Tesla claims that its battery capacity drops by only 20% after 200,000 miles, while Nissan claims that the Nissan LEAF battery can last for up to 22 years.
Some auto manufacturers are working on batteries that can last a million miles or more and could be used in multiple vehicles for their lifespan.
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