What is the battery life of an electric car?

The electric cars are getting more popular and the reason behind this is very simple: They are efficient and practical, while also reducing harmful emissions.
The electric motor which makes the electric car stand out amongst conventional vehicles, is powered by ‘rechargeable electric batteries’ that have a specific lifespan or in simpler terms, ‘the battery life’.

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The basics of the electric battery

Electric cars use lithium-ion battery packs. These have a handful of benefits when compared to conventional engines:

High energy density

Lithium-ion batteries store a lot of energy per unit mass. If compared to conventional batteries (such as lead-acid batteries), they have a higher energy density. This allows it to store more energy and save space.

High power density

Lithium-ion batteries have the capacity of transferring energy in shorter periods of time, or scientifically, a higher “power” density.

High efficiency

Lithium-ion batteries have proved to make electric cars very efficient. It has been estimated that an electric battery vehicle is a whopping three times more efficient than the conventional vehicle!

Less likely to fail

When compared to other types of batteries, lithium-ion batteries are safer. You can assure yourself that you won’t be stopping midway on a journey because of battery failure!
Despite these benefits, you should still make sure you’re doing the most you can to extend your car’s battery life!

Are there any limitations?

The one major limitation is their sensitivity to temperature. They perform best at temperatures between -20 to 60 degree Celsius. However if you run them on temperatures out of this range, they may be damaged massively.

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The battery life of the electric car – what can you expect?

To have a better understanding of the expected battery life, you first need to have a glimpse of the technology involved:

Battery technology of electric cars

This technology for electric cars batteries can be best understood when compared to your regular smartphone.
You charge it and the battery is consumed when you use it, and then you recharge it. This process, as you would have already assumed, reduces the lifespan of the battery.
This is exactly what happens with electric car batteries, with the only difference being how you use it.
While driving your car, you press the accelerator, which powers the electric motor. This in turn consumes energy from the electric battery. And just like your regular smartphone, this will consume the battery and it will need to be recharged.

Life expectancy

The average battery life of an electric vehicle is approximated to be around 10 to 20 years but most of the electric cars come with a warranty.
We recommend comparing these warranties prior to purchase to help you decide which package will suit you best. After the specified period, your battery will need to be replaced.

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How long does an electric car battery last before recharging?

To fully charge a 60 kWh car battery-pack, it takes around 8 hours. This charging time can be shortened by using rapid chargers and other services that have been made available. Electric vehicle charging sockets help charge up batteries by the fastest rate possible.
If you have a 40 kWh battery that is fully charged, it will help you travel without disturbance for around 150 miles. At this point, it will run out of battery and will require recharging.

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How to take care for your electric battery life

Just like any other batteries, the batteries of electric cars need to be taken care of so they can last longer. Some tips include:

Avoid overcharging your battery

If you leave your electric car battery plugged in for long periods of time, its internal resistance will increase. This will damage it and decrease its lifespan.

Regulate operating temperatures

Electric batteries are not resistant to very high temperatures – you should keep this in mind if you live in a region where the high temperatures occur. Also, make sure you don’t leave your battery under the sun for too long.

Drive smoothly

If you drive in a way that pulls out too much current from the battery, you need to change your driving habits! This can damage the battery and affect its life negatively.

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Electric car battery replacement

Even if you take good care of your battery, there’s always a chance of damage. This can happen by mistake, or it can be an internal fault of the battery. Unfortunately in this scenario, there is no other option than to replace it. Before making a purchase it is always worth to check if the battery’s warranty does not cover the type of damage.
Electric cars use lithium-ion batteries, which have many advantages over others. Although the average life expectancy of these ranges between 10 to 20 years, they can degrade if you don’t take good care. This is why Milta technology recommends to take extra precautions and keep an eye on it, especially in terms of temperature control.