Modern Electric Cars Show Minimal Range Loss, Study Reveals

A new study in the USA has found that concerns about electric vehicle (EV) battery life are largely exaggerated. Many people worry that their EV’s battery will degrade quickly, much like an old smartphone, leaving them with a costly and unusable vehicle in just a few years. However, real-world data suggests these fears are mostly misplaced.

The research, conducted by Recurrent, a company that monitors the health of electric cars, analysed data from thousands of EVs on the road. The findings show that while all batteries lose some range over time, the loss is generally minor. Modern EV tech has advanced quite a bit, and most vehicles maintain a high percentage of their original range even after several years of use.

After three years, top-performing brands such as Mini, Cadillac, Hyundai, Ford, and Mercedes-Benz showed almost no noticeable range loss. Tesla vehicles also performed strongly, retaining more than 96% of their original range.

Even brands at the lower end of the spectrum, like Volkswagen, BMW, and Jaguar, kept over 90% of their initial range. The study notes that these lower scores are often due to older models with less advanced battery technology, such as the BMW i3 hatchback and Jaguar I-Pace.

One reason for this impressive performance is the use of “buffer” capacity in EV batteries. Manufacturers design batteries with extra capacity that’s not accessible when the car is new. As the battery ages, software gradually unlocks this reserve, helping to maintain consistent range for drivers. Additionally, software updates can improve efficiency, further minimising the impact of battery aging.

The study also found that most range loss occurs in the first few years, after which the decline slows significantly. Importantly, Recurrent measured real-world range rather than relying on official EPA ratings, and found that most EVs exceed their EPA-rated range in the first year or two.

Also read: Google Maps on Android Auto to make EV Charging a Lot More Convenient