Are EV batteries about to be the most durable part of your car?
EV battery life expectancy has been a concern among consumers, but a new study's findings could indicate a longer lifespan than lab tests predicted.
Battery longevity and range anxiety have been two major concerns when it comes to electric vehicles, but a new study could help put some minds at ease. According to the study, EV batteries could last more than a third longer than manufacturer tests indicated.
By examining different discharge scenarios over a two-year period, the study determined that time-induced aging was more important in EV battery life expectancy estimations.
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Battery design tests didn’t replicate real-world usage
One of the main steps in EV production is testing battery designs to determine life expectancy. In order to perform tests quickly, researchers and engineers would charge, discharge, and recharge batteries rapidly over and over again. While this form of testing life expectancy is efficient, it doesn’t replicate real-world usage.
According to a study published in Nature Energy, in real-world applications, EV batteries could last 40% longer than tests indicated. The study tested 92 commercial lithium-ion batteries for more than two years by creating four discharge profiles. In the end, a more realistic profile correlated with higher EV battery life expectancy. 
“To our surprise, real driving with frequent acceleration, braking that charges the batteries a bit, stopping to pop into a store, and letting the batteries rest for hours at a time, helps batteries last longer than we had thought based on industry-standard lab tests,” said Simona Onori, senior author and associate professor of energy science and engineer, Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability.
Prior to the study’s conclusion, engineers had assumed discharge and recharge cycle aging was a more important factor than time-induced aging. While that’s true for commercial vehicles that are always in use, it isn’t the case for consumers whose EVs aren’t in use or charging constantly. In other words, driving an EV and an ICE vehicle in a similar fashion results in higher battery life expectancy.
With the study’s findings published, perhaps automakers will update their battery management software to better optimize battery usage and life expectancy.
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EV battery prices are tanking - and that’s good for us
Batteries make up about a third of the price of an EV, so falling battery prices are good for the consumer. In 2024, battery prices dropped by 20%, marking the steepest decline in over five years. Rising cell production and reduced material pricing were just two factors that pushed battery packs to $115 per kWh this past year. Battery prices are expected to continue to fall below the $100 per kWh mark as soon as 2026. By 2030, prices are expected to drop as low as $69 per kWh.
Lower battery prices are ideal for consumers, but overcapacity is becoming an issue. While leading battery producers, like CATL and BYD, are cutting prices amid an EV battery price war in China, smaller automakers are feeling the pressure. While smaller manufacturers are expected to cut their profit margins on vehicles, slow EV sales could cause battery producers to reduce output. It’s a balancing act that could spell bankruptcy for startups and small automakers alike.
Final thoughts
Range anxiety aside, a study examining the life expectancy of EV batteries was very much needed, especially since owner accounts have supported the findings for years now.
Longer battery life expectancy is a net positive for EV adoption, especially for those concerned about range anxiety over the life of the vehicle. Plus, with EV battery prices expected to keep falling, the price of EVs will likely match that of ICE vehicles within the next few years. Win-win?
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