Before going electric, many motorists wonder about the lifespan of the battery and its possible replacement. Indeed, this key piece plays an essential role in the longevity of the vehicle. What is the lifespan of an electric car? And how do you optimize it? We explain to you!
What is the battery life of an electric car?
La Lifespan of an electric car depends mainly on the battery. Contrary to what one might think, the condition of the battery does not depend directly on the number of kilometers traveled, but rather on the number of cycles completed. One cycle is equivalent to fully charging and discharging the battery.
For most electric vehicles, the range starts to decrease significantly between 1,000 and 1,500 cycles. A battery thus has a estimated lifespan of ten years, ranging from 10 to 15 years (sometimes more). It is estimated that a battery loses an average of 2% of its capacity per year.
Let's take an example with a car equipped with a 60 kWh battery. With 1,000 charge cycles, its lifespan is around 400,000 km with a capacity in excess of 80%, i.e. 48 kWh remaining on the initial capacity of 60 kWh.
We can therefore see that the greater the initial capacity of the battery, the less of the% of capacity lost is a problem. Manufacturers advise carrying out a diagnosis every year in order to check its Health status (also called the SOH).
The lifespan of an electric car is therefore much longer than that of an internal combustion vehicle. With technological progress, batteries are gradually gaining in the number of cycles, and thus in their lifespan. Electric mobility has a bright future ahead of it!
Lifespan of an electric car: what about the engine?
Another element to take into account in the lifespan of an electric car is its engine. Because of its simplified design, this part is not subject to wear and tear. To detect possible malfunctions, simply have it checked regularly during vehicle maintenance.
This maintenance must be carried out approximately every 30,000 km, compared to 15,000 km for gasoline-powered cars. Because of its simplified mechanics, it is less expensive than that of an internal combustion car.
> To read also: Maintaining your electric car: when, how and at what cost?
What do you do with an end-of-life battery?
Most manufacturers offer a warranty of up to 8 years to protect against the risk of losing battery life. So you can drive with complete peace of mind! If the battery is faulty during this time, the replacement is carried out under warranty.
One battery at the end of life still maintains capacity and can be used as a “buffer battery”. Many actors give them a second life and reuse them in a stationary manner. For individuals equipped with solar panels, a recycled battery makes it possible to store the electricity produced during the day in order to release it in the evening for example. This reuse is also possible on a larger scale: for a fast charging station for example, which can use stationary batteries to limit the power required from the network.
How to optimize the lifespan of an electric car?
Misuse of the battery can accelerate battery wear. To preserve it as long as possible, it is advisable to avoid the risk of overheating as much as possible. This involves:
— recharge at home: the use of a fast charging station should remain occasional, as it can degrade battery cells;
— stay at an optimal battery charge level between 20% and 80%;
— never leave the battery empty for a long time
— unplug the electric car once charging is complete to avoid overheating the battery unnecessarily;
— adopt a smooth drive by driving slower, decelerating more slowly and moderating your accelerations.
The charging method has a direct impact on the Lifespan of your electric car. To avoid overheating the battery and degrade it prematurely, use normal and accelerated loads up to 22 kW as much as possible.
Also to read:Electric car battery: 5 good habits to preserve it
Fast charging with the Qovoltis 22 kW wallbox
Our Qovoltis terminals offer two charging methods: fast and optimized. Their power ranging from 7.4 kW to 22 kW allows an electric car to be fully charged with a 50 kWh battery in 2 hours and 30 minutes. Thanks to the mobile application, the user can control their recharge in real time and remotely. From the pre-visit to the installation of the terminal, discover our solutions turnkey to install a wallbox in your car park.
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