Electric car lifetime

Batteries in the solid state offer improved energy density, which means that they can store more energy in a smaller space, thus increasing the autonomy of the.

What is the life of an electric car ?

Responding to climatic or simply technological mode, electric cars are gradually starting to invade the French roads. In Norway, for example, they represent more than 50% of new registrations. A crucial question arises for motorists: What is the lifespan of an electric car and especially batteries ?

Lifespan of an electric car: myths and realities

It is admitted that an electric car can last between 10 and 15 years (Sources: ICCT, EDF). The battery is the most important element. It depends on various factors such as driving habits, climate and of course the battery load frequency. This duration corresponds to between 1000 and 1,500 recharging cycles.

A “indestructible” engine

The electric motor of an electric car has a much longer lifespan than that of a heat or diesel engine. Indeed, with fewer mobile parts, the electric motor is less subject to wear, which can allow it to travel up to 1 million kilometers, At least in theory. By way of comparison, diesel engines would cover 250,000 km on average, and petrol engines 150,000 km. The engine is therefore not the limiting factor. You have to look at the battery side.

What is the battery duration of a VE ?

The battery is the most important element in the life of an electric car. It can represent up to 40% of the vehicle price. The cost of electric car batteries experienced a significant increase from 2021 to 2022 (source: Ier). This increase is due to various factors, including disturbances of the supply chain, shortages of materials, sanctions on Russian metals and the speculation of investors. On average, an electric car battery can last between 10 and 15 years before requiring a replacement.

Data on 6,300 electric vehicles

• The average drop in battery capacity was 2.3% per year ;
• With the degradation rates of the batteries noted, the vast majority of batteries will exceed the vehicle’s useful lifespan;
• Electric vehicle batteries Non -linearly degrade. There is an initial fall, but the decline rate slowed down in the following years;
• Liquid cooled batteries degrade more slowly than air -cooled batteries. For example, a 2015 Tesla Model S with liquid cooling had an average annual degradation rate of 2.3%, compared to a rate of 4.2% for a 2015 Nissan Leaf Ragged by Air.
• Battery vehicles that have larger load reserves behave better. In other words, some car manufacturers use a lower percentage of battery capacity, which reduces usable scope.
• Higher use of the vehicle does not necessarily mean higher battery degradation.
• Vehicles driven in hot temperatures show faster degradation of battery health.

Battery capacity to maintain a load decreases over time.

Despite the fears, the batteries of electric cars tend to last longer than initially planned.

Other studies go in this direction

A Plug In America study revealed that the battery of a Tesla Model S would only lose 5% of its initial capacity after the first 80,000 kilometers. In addition, Consumer Reports estimates that the average lifespan of an electric car battery is around 320,000 kilometers.

What are the criteria that influence the life of a battery ?

The battery life can vary depending on several factors:

• The frequency of load and discharge, This is the number of battery cycles, it is by far the main factor of the battery degradation ;
• Battery technology;
• Leaving your battery to load beyond 80%;
• Let your battery unload below 20 %;
• The climate in particular extreme heat is harmful for a lithium-ion battery;

Technological innovations: solid state batteries

Electric car manufacturers work to improve batteries technology. Batteries in the solid state, for example, offer significantly greater security than traditional lithium-ion batteries.

Batteries in the solid state offer improved energy density, which means that they can store more energy in a smaller space, thus increasing the autonomy of the.

What about Tesla ?

The American manufacturer Tesla is quite advanced in electric battery. The company recently introduced a new generation of batteries, known as “4680”, which are larger and more effective.

These 4680 batteries have higher energy density. For example, the Model 3 equipped with these new batteries could see its autonomy increase by 16%.

In addition to their increased capacity, these batteries are designed to be safer and more durable. They are structured so as to reduce the distance that energy must browse inside the battery, which improves efficiency and reduces the heat generated during load and discharge. This potentially improves battery life. We will see in use.

Tesla also works to reduce the production cost of these batteries, which could make electric cars more affordable in the future. Indeed, the production of these 4680 batteries would be less costly in 70% compared to traditional factories.

At the end of 2022, Tesla announced that she had made 868,000 cells in 4,680 format in a week, which is equivalent to 1,000 vehicles mainly models y. These more efficient new batteries will soon be used for cybertrucks after insideevs.Fr.

How long the batteries are guaranteed ?

In the vast majority of cases, The batteries are guaranteed 8 years or 160,000 km With the exception of Tesla Model 3 Great Autonomy and S and X models, as well as the Mercedes EGS and the last Lexus with 1,000,000 km !

In other words, this means that for 8 years for a maximum of 160,000 km traveled (for the most common warranty), your battery is covered for manufacturing defects or breakdowns. But there is also the warranty in the event of too fast wear of the battery.

How the battery premature wear guarantee works ?

Premature battery wear is also covered with manufacturer figures that vary (see table below).

Take the example of a Peugeot E-208. If, during the battery warranty period, which is 8 years, the net energy capacity of the battery drops below 70% of its initial capacity when delivery to the buyer, then the battery warranty can be activated. To understand how this guarantee applies, it is essential to refer to the specific terms of your vehicle warranty.

We are talking about “excessive battery capacity guarantee”.

Some examples of battery guarantees

For example, the production of an electric car, including that of its batteries, emits greenhouse gases. Before you even rolled up the slightest kilometer, an electric car therefore has a carbon “debt” of 5 to 15 tonnes equivalent CO2, depending on the model. This imprint is approximately 2 times higher than that of a thermal equivalent.

It is therefore in use that the interest of the electric car appears. The electric car emits incomparably less CO2 than a thermal car which rolls by burning gasoline. This is particularly true if the production of electricity is decarbonized (from nuclear or renewable sources), which is rather the case in France.

Over the kilometers, the electric car therefore takes the advantage in terms of CO2 emission. For a compact sedan, Lhe rocking would be around 70,000 km, at 200,000 km the carbon footprint is divided by two.

With a virtuous energy mix, at least from a carbon footprint, the electric car with a “modest” weight (yes electric cars are heavy), can prove to be a lasting, economical and virtuous choice for Daily journeys. However, there are essential questions in terms of practicality and cost. The recharge time and the terminal network is a first brake, the cost of electricity too.

A recent study carried out by Ifop reveals that despite an increasingly varied offer and a favorable regulatory context (ecological bonus, conversion bonus, ZFEM) The French hesitates to switch to electric. Indeed, only 26% of French people plan to acquire an electric vehicle, a decrease of five points compared to 2022.

Also according to the IFOP study, the main obstacles to adoption are the price, autonomy and charging stations. For almost three in four French people (73%), a lower price would constitute a purchase trigger. Finally, the French are increasingly skeptical of the environmental benefits of the electric car, with only 42% of those questioned who estimate that the electric car is good for the environment, against 58% in early 2022. Ouch.

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When buying a vehicle, it is important to take into account its longevity. An electric car does not necessarily have the same lifespan as a thermal vehicle, because of its difference in terms of components, motorization and power system. Operating to electricity, this type of car is above all dependent on the quality of the battery and its maintenance. Its proper functioning is also linked to a regular revision with a certified dealer. Discover the Lifetime of an electric car battery as well as that of an Aiways vehicle.

Guarantee and battery life of an electric car Aiways

You will understand, which defines above all the Lifespan of an electric car , It’s his battery. This is why at Aiways, we offer a guarantee of 150,000 km or 8 years on the battery of our vehicles, duration during which we ensure regular maintenance, repairs in the event of a problem and the updating of the piloting tools. This warranty is also applied to the engine of your vehicle. This can obviously roll beyond this deadline, thanks to the care that you will bring to your car, through simple gestures. When you see a drop in the autonomy of your battery and an increase in the load duration, the replacement issue will arise. However, some use habits can improve performance and optimize Battery life of your electric car .

Gestures to optimize the Longevity of an electric car and its battery

If the AIWAYS batteries are designed to last, and offer excellent autonomy, their longevity can however be elongated thanks to simple gestures, habits to be taken on a daily basis and which will improve your comfort on the road. Here are some tips to maximize the Battery life of your electric car ::

• Maintain a load between 20 and 80% of the battery capacity: the accumulators on electric cars poorly support the complete discharges, as well as the maximum loads;
• Use your car regularly: batteries wear out faster when the car stays at a long time;
• Regularly load the battery: for the longevity of this equipment, it is preferable to carry out small frequent loads than long loads;
• Favor slow loads: it is better to make soft and slow loads than direct current loads, which tend to use the battery;
• Pay before taking the road: after a load, it is recommended to wait a few hours, the time that the temperature drops;
• Do not immediately load the vehicle after driving it: in the opposite direction, it is the same advice that must be applied. Wait for the battery temperature to drop before recharging it;
• Park the vehicle in a covered and hot place: if you park your vehicle at the garage, you need less defrosting the windshield or using your heating. Likewise, in summer, the vehicle remains fresh and you limit the use of air conditioning.

So many gestures that save battery and increase the lifespan of your electric car .

Other AIways guarantees on your vehicle parts

The other components of your electric vehicle are also subject to a manufacturer’s warranty:

• 8 years or 150,000 km for the engine and the electronic control unit;
• 10 years without limit of mileage for the body;
• 5 years or 150,000 km under manufacturer warranty for other parts.

This duration gives an idea of ​​the Longevity of your electric car . However, you can obviously extend this lifespan thanks to regular maintenance, repairs in the event of a breakdown and the replacement of worn or defective parts.

Maintenance: a fundamental element to delay the end of life of the parts

A regular revision ensures the lifespan of your electric car . Indeed, there is no question of waiting for a part to be used or that a breakdown intervenes: the maintenance of your car must follow the recommendations of your manufacturer. So go to an Aiways dealer to follow up on your vehicle and take advantage of the warranty. Faster and easier than maintenance on a thermal car, the one on an electric model is just as important. Entrust this mission to your automaker !