With Tata Motors offering a life-time battery warranty on their top electric cars, it leaves one wondering just how long does an EV battery last?
Recently, the Delhi government tried to enforce a ban on ‘end-of-life’ (EoL) fuel cars by restricting supply at the petrol pumps. This rule required petrol pumps in Delhi to stop refueling diesel vehicles that were older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years. Of course, this ban was quickly lifted after major public dissent.
This EoL state is often defined by the condition of the car’s engine and motor. But how is this decided for EVs?
Well, I have good news for you, because EoL does not apply to electric vehicles.
This is because electric vehicles have a much longer life-span than just 15 years. Yes, you read that right. EV batteries work efficiently for more than 15 years.
Most OEMs offer 8 to 10 years or upto 1.6 lakh km battery warranty. Replacement costs for an electric car battery vary from ₹3 lakh to ₹12 lakh and can go even higher.
EV batteries typically last for 15-20 years, or the average of 1.60-3.20 lakh km.
This life can vary depending on several factors:
Battery Chemistry
There are two types of batteries typically used in EVs in India, the LFP battery and the NMC Battery.
Technically, LFP batteries have a longer lifespan than NMC batteries. But there’s more.
You see, a battery’s life is measured in cycles of charge and discharge. NMC batteries often have around 1000 to 3000 cycles while LFP batteries have around 2000 to 6000 cycles. But NMC batteries offer more range in a single cycle, while LFP batteries discharge rather quickly.
For example, if an NMC battery has 1000 cycles, and offers 700 km range in a single cycle, you can use that battery to travel 3,00,000 km.
At the same time, LFP battery has 2000 cycles, and offers 350 km range in a single cycle, it will go the same distance.
The difference? You will be charging the LFP battery far more frequently than the NMC battery. That’s it.
Driving Habits and Usage
Your driving habits play a significant role in battery life. Aggressive driving can strain your EV’s battery. It uses more energy and this can eat up your car’s driving range and ultimately impact your battery life.
Environmental conditions
The environmental conditions you drive in also impact the battery life. How? Well, LFP batteries can endure higher temperatures and perform better in hot climates. NMC batteries, on the other hand, perform better in cold climates.
Extreme conditions in either direction can hinder the chemical processes that help the battery produce energy. The ideal temperature for an EV battery falls between 20 to 30 degree Celsius.
Maintenance
Unlike ICE vehicles, EV batteries are maintenance-free. The only maintenance it requires is with regards to your charging habits.
Most companies offer EVs that support 3 types of charging.
- The first is the AC charger with low watt charging, often less than 4 kW, which is considered the slowest charging method and it can take up to 12 hours to fully charge the battery.
- The second is the AC Fast Charger with higher watt charger, which often ranges from 11 kW to 25 kW. This is quicker than the first and significantly shortens the charging time for your EV.
- The third is the DC Fast Charger which gives you an input of over 100 kW. Many vehicles allow DC Fast Charging and can go from 20-80% in 30 minutes or less.
Now, DC Fast Charger generally places more stress on the battery than any other charging method, which is why it is recommended for sparse usage and not as your primary source of charging. An AC Fast Charger is the best daily charging method that helps prolong your battery life.
It is also usually recommended to charge to 80% in everyday use to maximize battery life.
For more detail on charging types, speed and choosing the right one, check out this blog.
How to Prolong EV Battery Life Span
With the basics out of the way, let’s talk about practical ways you can optimize the lifespan of your EV battery.
- Park in a Garage: If you live in a part of the country that gets very hot or very cold, it is a good idea to park in a garage whenever possible. This will protect your car’s battery from extreme temperatures.
- Avoid Aggressive Driving: EVs deliver instant torque and it can be tempting to take advantage of that with quick accelerations every now and then. However, if you want to prolong the life of your EV battery, it would be recommended to go easy on the throttle.
- Follow the EV Care Guide: Most companies have their own guidelines for their batteries. It is recommended to check the owner’s manual for these recommendations. This can include charging habits, battery details and more.
With these in mind, even you can maximize the time you spend with your beloved electric vehicle, and reach that 20 year mark with the correct practices.
What’s better is that even after your battery reached EoL, they only lose 75% of their capabilities and are often repurposed to make batteries for energy storage devices, so they don’t really ‘die’.
