How Many Years Can an Electric Car Last?

[SophieFitz]

Electric vehicles can last for 8 years. Additional information: According to relevant national laws and regulations, the battery packs in new energy vehicles currently on the market must meet a warranty period of at least 8 years or 120,000 kilometers. The batteries in electric vehicles experience normal degradation over time. When the power battery reaches a certain lifespan, its performance will significantly decline, necessitating a battery replacement. Advantages of electric vehicles: The development of electric vehicle batteries has evolved from lead-acid batteries and nickel-metal hydride batteries to lithium-ion batteries, each with its own pros and cons. Lead-acid batteries, the earliest type, have been in use the longest and belong to the storage battery category. They offer the best safety performance, rarely experiencing explosions or fires, though their energy storage efficiency is less than ideal.

[VanCaleb]

What I care most about with electric vehicles is battery lifespan. Nowadays, mainstream EV brands can generally last over 8 years or 160,000 kilometers, with many offering extended warranties. Don't be intimidated by battery degradation - the key is avoiding full charges and complete discharges in daily use. Keeping the charge between 20%-80% is most beneficial for battery health. I've seen many ride-hailing drivers cover 200,000 kilometers in three years with battery health still above 85%. Actually, the body and motor are far more durable than gasoline cars. The only thing to watch is not to tamper with the battery management system, and just maintain regular check-ups on the cooling system.

[LukasDella]

My electric car has been running for five and a half years, charged three times a week, and the range has dropped from 420 to just over 380 kilometers. According to the official claim, the battery can still retain 80% capacity after 2000 cycles, which is completely sufficient for a household car over ten years. But when it comes to the overall lifespan of the vehicle, electronic components are updating too fast nowadays—the infotainment system might become outdated in just five or six years. I recommend choosing a model with OTA updates when buying a car. The chassis and motor are actually more reliable than an engine. I know a few modification enthusiasts who specifically buy older electric cars to modify and have fun with.

[ORiley]

Battery lifespan largely depends on the chemical type. NCM (Nickel Cobalt Manganese) lithium batteries typically degrade to 80% after 1,000 cycles, while LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) can endure 3,000 cycles. Charging twice a week means it should last a decade without issues. Last year's teardown of a 7-year-old vehicle showed less than 0.03V voltage difference between battery cells, with cooling fins showing no rust. Interestingly, the power window regulator failed first - mechanical components tend to age faster than electronic parts.