What is the lifespan of an electric car in the UK?
As of the end of November 2023, Zapmap reported approximately 1,529,000 plug-in cars in the UK - with 950,000 being BEVs (battery electric vehicles) and 570,000 PHEVs (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles) registered. In 2016, only 0.4% of all new registered vehicles were electric. By 2023, this percentage surged to 22.9%, which reflects the rising demand for electric cars and the simultaneous decline in traditional (especially diesel) car demands.
This graph has been taken from the same article and shows the number of battery-electric cars in the UK from 2019 to the end of November 2023. As you can see, 2023 saw more people driving electric cars than ever before.
As more individuals embrace electric cars, companies aim to incorporate benefits such as The Electric Car Scheme for their employees. Electric car salary sacrifice offers employees an excellent opportunity to save up to 60% on any electric car, enabling companies to enhance employee retention and attract top talent to their business. Transitioning from petrol or diesel to electric might appear daunting for many, particularly first-time switchers, so we try to simplify the process as much as possible at The Electric Car Scheme.
The lifespan of an electric car depends on its battery life. Typically, EV batteries endure between 8 and 15 years, although this duration heavily relies on how you use your car. Another standard gauge for longevity involves the total mileage covered. On average, an EV is expected to last approximately between 100,000 and 200,000 miles. The battery quality and usage are additional factors that dictate the lifespan of an electric car. Several best practices exist to extend the life of your EV's battery, which we'll explore in this post, along with a comprehensive guide covering essential aspects of EV batteries.
What are electric car batteries made of?
EV batteries typically comprise various raw materials, with the predominant choice being lithium-ion batteries, akin to those found in laptops and phones. This rechargeable battery type stores energy by reversibly reducing lithium ions. Unlike phones equipped with a single lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery that lasts a few years, electric cars incorporate hundreds of cells.
Generally, a higher cell count implies a larger battery capacity and consequently an extended mileage range for the vehicle.
Notably, hybrid cars often employ nickel-metal hydride batteries instead of lithium-ion batteries. Li-ion battery technology boasts high energy density and suits rapid charging cycles, making it ideal for electric cars. Moreover, they are able to retain energy density over thousands of charge cycles, rendering them perfect for electric vehicle applications.
How are electric car batteries made?
The creation of EV batteries involves a mix of raw materials including aluminium, copper, iron, cobalt, nickel, manganese, graphite, and lithium. These materials are extracted from the earth, contributing to the higher cost of electric vehicles compared to their petrol or diesel counterparts. Specifically focusing on lithium, approximately 95% of its global production is in Australia, Chile, China, and Argentina.
However, mining these materials poses significant environmental and social concerns. Lithium production, in particular, demands extensive water use and occurs in regions already grappling with water shortages, likely exacerbated by global heating. The extraction process not only leads to land and water pollution but also triggers ecosystem degradation and violates the rights of indigenous and rural communities. New York University and the Geneva Center for Business and Human Rights found that auto, battery and electronic manufacturers were not doing enough to ensure the cobalt they’re using doesn’t involve child labour in Congo’s unsafe “artisanal miles.”
The debate surrounding mining for electric car batteries is controversial because although the adoption of EVs is promoted as a greener alternative, the environmental repercussions of battery mining starkly oppose this narrative.
Issues with using lithium batteries in electric cars
There are several issues when using lithium batteries for electric cars, but the electric car industry is still relatively new in comparison to the ICE (internal combustion engine) industry. EV batteries are developing at a rapid pace and capacity and range are much higher than the first all-electric car. The issues with electric car batteries at the moment include:
Expensive - lithium-ion batteries are expensive. As of March 2023, the average electric car battery costs £5,378 in the UK and this high cost gets passed onto the consumer.
Overcharging - EV batteries will be damaged if they’re charged for too long, which is why most EVs have a battery management system. Overcharging your EV will reduce its lifespan.
Heat sensitivity - if Li-ion batteries are kept in extremely hot or cold weather they can suffer from reduced efficiency or damage. People have expressed concerns that the risk of electric car fires might be negatively impacting insurance providers. However, Dye disagrees, stating that QBE has not found evidence suggesting that EV fires are becoming a significant problem. You can read about how this perceived risk can increase your electric car insurance in our latest blog.
Why do batteries wear out?
Repeatedly using the maximum storage potential of the battery, subjecting it to rapid charge and discharge cycles, and exposing it to high temperatures all diminish electric car battery performance. How you store your battery significantly influences degradation; storing a lithium battery for extended periods near full capacity or almost empty lowers its maximum storage potential. Lithium-ion batteries experience discharge cycles (while driving) and charge cycles (when plugged in), gradually diminishing the battery's charge-holding capacity and reducing the distance your electric car can travel before requiring a recharge.
What is meant by electric car battery capacity?
To provide the energy needed to propel a car forward, EV batteries need to be large. Their energy capacity is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) which then indicates the stored energy over a certain period (like the size of a fuel tank in a petrol car for example). The average capacity for an EV is 40kWh but some cars now have up to 100kWh. The battery capacity will have a direct impact on its range - the amount of miles you can drive on a full charge.
As an example, the Mercedes-Benz EQE has a very high battery capacity of 89kWh, therefore you can travel up to 376 miles on a single charge. This shows the technological advancements of electric car batteries and the limits they can reach.
The Mercedes-Benz EQE is available to salary sacrifice with The Electric Car Scheme and you could save £350 every month on national insurance and income tax savings. You can browse all cars available by visiting our quote tool.
What is battery degradation?
Battery degradation is frequently referred to when discussing electric cars. Clearwatt use a great analogy comparing electric car batteries to sponges to give an idea of what degradation means: “Ever tried squeezing a sponge that’s been used and wrung out countless times? You will notice it doesn’t hold or absorb water like it once did. Over time, much like that weary sponge, batteries in our electric cars can’t retain their charge as robustly as when they were brand new.”
Lithium batteries consist of individual cells, each comprising a positive electrode (cathode) and a negative electrode (anode). In the process of charging and discharging, lithium ions traverse between the anode and cathode, generating the necessary power for your vehicle. Within the battery, a combination of chemical reactions and physical transformations takes place, resulting in the depletion of lithium ions and a restructuring of the battery's chemical composition.
There are two types of ageing for an EV battery: calendar ageing and cyclic ageing. Calendar ageing is an unavoidable aspect of battery degradation because they grow older and lose the capacity to hold as much power. Cyclic ageing is because of how you charge and re-charge an electric car. EV batteries were designed to last longer compared to other electronic devices (like smartphones) but some charging habits that you may be used to can decrease their lifespan.
If you’re interested in learning more about battery degradation, you can read this useful blog by Clearwatt!
The average lifespan of an electric car compared to petrol and diesel
As mentioned at the beginning of this post, an electric car battery has a lifespan of 8 to 15 years and will have a range of 100,000 to 200,000 miles. Similarly, as reported by Leaseloco, a well-maintained petrol car averages a lifespan of approximately 11 to 14 years or 200,000 miles. In comparison, the average diesel car enjoys an even lengthier lifespan, lasting around 30 years or covering 1,000,000 miles.
Factors that could be affecting the lifespan of your electric car battery
Battery degradation for electric cars is a concern for potential buyers. There are many factors as to why an electric car’s battery degrades. Here are some reasons why:
Climate
Climate has a big effect on the battery range and efficiency of electric cars. Colder weather can harm the battery life of an electric car. The Li-ion batteries operate best between 15ºC and 35ºC. Consequently, when temperatures decrease below this threshold, we can expect the range to drop between 20-30%. You can read more about winter driving tips in our blog. Conversely, when an EV battery is exposed to excessive heat, the rate at which chemical reactions take place inside the battery increases. This includes unwanted chemicals resulting in a loss of battery life.
Driving habits and charging patterns
Charging your electric car too often or storing it in unsuitable conditions can affect the lifespan of your car. If a battery charge is less than 5% repeatedly, damage can occur to reduce the overall lifespan. Rapid and ultra-rapid charging stations release a significant amount of heat energy which can often lead the overheating and can have the potential to do permanent damage to the battery cells if done too frequently. Slower charging, carried out overnight, for example, is much safer for your battery’s health.
The weight of your EV
The efficiency of your electric car's battery is directly impacted by the vehicle's weight, with excessive weight diminishing both mileage and battery life. Electric cars tend to be heavier than their petrol and diesel counterparts due to the lithium and lead-based batteries they house. On average, an EV battery weighs between 450-500kg, though this can vary based on the model and manufacturer. Exceeding recommended weight limits exerts pressure on all vehicle components, leading to strain and performance issues. When an electric car becomes excessively heavy, the same power output that would have otherwise propelled the vehicle efficiently leads to reduced speed and range due to the weight strain.
What can you do to elongate your electric car’s lifespan?
Avoid fast charging
Fast charging provides great convenience, but it subjects the batteries to a high current in a very brief period, consequently straining the battery and accelerating its degradation. While this may not be immediately noticeable in your day-to-day use, over time, utilising standard charging for 8 years results in 10% more battery life compared to 8 years of fast charging.
Minimise exposure to high temperatures when parked
As previously noted, extreme climates and high temperatures can adversely affect the lifespan of your electric car. Incorporating an automated temperature control system in your EV requires battery power to maintain an optimal temperature, which proves beneficial while driving. When parking your EV, aim to park it in shaded areas to mitigate temperature-related stress on the vehicle.
Control optimal battery state of charge during long periods of storage
Leaving an EV parked in storage with either an empty or full battery can lead to battery degradation. If you infrequently use your electric car or anticipate a big trip, consider using a timed charger to maintain the battery slightly above the low mark instead of charging it to maximum capacity. Prolonged periods at 100% charge can strain the battery's ability to maintain its state of charge while the vehicle is left idle.
Minimise the batteries at 100% state of charge
Electric cars come equipped with a battery management system designed to safeguard against charging and discharging at extreme states of charge. Maintaining the battery's state of charge within the range of 0% to 100% significantly enhances the overall performance and lifespan of your vehicle's battery. While a full charge maximizes the operating time, it's not advisable for the long-term health of your battery.
What electric cars are available to salary sacrifice with The Electric Car Scheme?
Everyone wants to make choices to achieve a net zero future but people are limited by access, information, price and complexity. At The Electric Car Scheme, we want to make it cheaper and easier than any other option. Salary sacrifice makes this possible, allowing employees to save up to 60% on any electric car by reducing your salary in exchange for an electric car as a benefit. You can learn more about how it works for employees and employers on our website.
Meanwhile, we wanted to show two cars of varying sizes, including their cost and explain the workings of income and national insurance savings.
The Fiat 500 Hatchback is available via The Electric Car Scheme’s salary sacrifice scheme for just £381 per month. You will save £256 per month in income tax savings and in national insurance savings. You will spend a small amount, £27, on benefit-in-kind tax but overall the savings are significant.
Similarly, for the DS3 electric crossback is available for £475 per month because you save £319 per month on income tax and national insurance savings. You can browse our range of electric cars by visiting our quote tool - we have something to suit everyone.
As electric car battery technologies continue to advance, the lifespan of electric vehicles will likely increase. Presently, EVs offer a lifespan ranging between 8 to 15 years and cover a mileage of 100,000 to 200,000 miles, comparable to their petrol or diesel counterparts. Despite the significant environmental and social concerns associated with the production of electric car batteries due to lithium-ion mining, the carbon emissions generated during an electric car's production do not outweigh the emissions generated over the car's subsequent 10 years of use.
Electric cars remain the most carbon-effective mode of transportation. Initiatives like salary sacrifice schemes such as The Electric Car Scheme aim to encourage greater adoption of electric vehicles, reducing their overall negative impact on the environment.
