Electric Vehicle Battery Longevity and Degradation Analysis

The source discusses a Geotab study that challenges the common belief that electric vehicle (EV) batteries have a short lifespan, asserting instead that most batteries demonstrate minimal annual degradation and can last up to 20 years. Specifically, the analysis of over 10,000 EVs shows an average annual degradation rate of 1.8%, meaning approximately 64% of the original range remains after two decades, with failure rates being statistically insignificant. The text further explains that battery degradation is not linear, with the greatest decline occurring in the initial years, and it is also significantly influenced by climate, with heat accelerating the degradation process. To mitigate this decline, the source recommends strategies such as parking in the shade and maintaining the state of charge between 20% and 80% for certain battery chemistries.