Telematics provider’s new research finds batteries degrade just 1.8 per cent per year on average — meaning EV batteries can typically last more than 20 years

Electric vehicle batteries can last more than 20 years on average, according to new research from Geotab.

Upgrading its previous research from 2019, the Oakville, Ont.-based telematics provider analyzed nearly 1.5 million days of data from almost 5,000 fleet and private EVs. It found battery health has improved significantly in the past five years.

“Geotab research shows that EV batteries could last 20 years or more if they degrade at an average rate of 1.8 per cent per year,” reads the research report written by Charlotte Argue, senior manager of sustainable mobility at Geotab.

This degradation measurement of 1.8 per cent per year is an improvement from 2.3 per cent when Geotab last studied battery health.

In fact, some of the best-performing EV models on the market today show only 1.0 per cent annual battery degradation. That’s a number Geotab expects will improve further as technology advances.

“With these higher levels of sustained health, batteries in the latest EV models will comfortably outlast the usable life of the vehicle and will likely not need to be replaced,” says David Savage, vice president for the UK and Ireland at Geotab, in a press statement.

Easing battery concerns

Critics of electric vehicles often claim EV batteries are less reliable than gasoline engines due to battery degradation. These new findings, Savage hopes, will put concerns about battery reliability to rest.

“The fact is that a 1.8 per cent decline in battery health is unlikely to have a significant impact on most drivers’ daily vehicle needs, and this number will only come down further with new EV models and improved battery technology,” says Savage.

“People should feel confident that many current EVs are suitable and cost-effective to replace a range of light, medium and heavy-duty ICE vehicles.”

What causes battery degradation?

Geotab’s research highlights that EV batteries don’t degrade measurably faster with heavy use. In fact, the more you drive, the better value you get.

Differences in battery health between EV models often come down to factors like battery chemistry and battery pack temperature control.

Hot climates can cause faster battery degradation compared to more moderate temperatures.

How you charge also plays a role — frequent fast charging can wear out batteries because the process generates more heat.

To prolong battery life, automakers recommend limiting DC fast charging and keeping charge between 20 and 80 per cent. This is especially important when the vehicle isn’t going to be in use for a while.

Caveat to the research

“While our analysis shows more or less linear degradation, as a general rule, EV battery life is expected to decline non-linearly,” writes Argue.

EV battery life is sees an initial sharp decline, followed by a much slower degradation rate, before eventually experiencing a significant drop toward the end of its life.

“As we expect EV battery life to decline non-linearly, there would likely be a more significant drop-off as the battery ages,” says Argue.

“We haven’t observed enough batteries reach the end-of-life drop for us to predict when this drop is likely to occur. We will continue monitoring for the expected non-linear degradation.”