Electric vehicles are relatively new, and many people would like to know more about them. For example, some potential EV drivers wonder if an electric vehicle lasts as long as an internal combustion engine car or how long they can drive an EV before it has to be replaced.
In this article, we will examine how long you can expect your electric vehicle to last.
The fact is, electric vehicles are like internal combustion engine cars in many respects. They have some parts in common. For example, an electric car has a windshield that could crack, a reverse camera for backing up, and other electronics.
However, there is a significant difference when it comes to electric cars, which is that they run on batteries instead of petrol or diesel. The battery is critical because, without it, the vehicle does not move an inch!
Due to some people’s experience with batteries, they wonder how long before they have to change their EV battery. The answer to this question is crucial as it could determine how long you can drive an EV before you need to replace it.
How long do EV batteries last?
The lithium-ion batteries used in most EVs today are built to last. They need to be reliable because the electric vehicle is one of the most intense applications they can be used for.
The good news is that EV batteries do not break down easily. They come with many safety measures to ensure they work for as long as possible. Checking the websites of EV manufacturers, you will see they usually offer eight years or 100,000 km warranty on the battery, with some even throwing in two more years!
So, even though EV batteries suffer degradation or loss of capacity, they remain serviceable even after many years. For example, there are Teslas with more than 200,000 km under their belt and still going strong with their original batteries.
In the event that your battery becomes unusable after the warranty, it is possible to replace the battery. However, will the rest of the vehicle be able to continue working at that point? In other words, can the car outlast the battery?
How long does an electric vehicle last?
Electric vehicles do not break down as easily as internal combustion engine cars. This is due to the less amount of moving parts that tend to break or wear out. It follows that an electric vehicle will be in better shape than an ICE car after seeing the same number of years of use. If you can think of an ICE that is more than eight years old, you can be sure an electric vehicle will last as long and even longer.
Some of the original Nissan LEAF models are still on the road, same as the original Tesla Roadster, serving as testament to the longevity of electric vehicles.
So if you buy an electric car, you can expect to drive it for more than ten years with no major issues.
