Study Reveals Electric Vehicle Battery Can Last Over 13 Years
The world is currently transitioning from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles, raising various questions about the long-term durability and lifespan of these vehicles. Canadian company Geotab, which develops fleet management software, has conducted an analysis of light electric vehicle battery degradation since 2020.
In its latest report, Geotab analyzed real battery health data from over 22,700 electric vehicles encompassing 21 different makes and models. According to the 2025 study, the average battery capacity decline is 2.3% per year, indicating that EV batteries can last up to 13 years or more. These figures suggest that even after more than 12 years of use, a battery could retain about 75% of its original capacity.
Based on this, Geotab suggests that electric vehicles are suitable for fleet operations and private ownership alike. Interestingly, Geotab’s 2024 report indicated a lower degradation rate of around 1.8% per year. These differences arise from increased data volume and more frequent use of fast charging.
Using DC fast charging enables rapid charging of the battery but accelerates its degradation due to increased battery temperatures. This is also factored into the assessment of EVs, which begin to reduce their carbon footprint after just two years of use. These results make electric vehicles more environmentally appealing compared to gasoline cars. Additionally, new technologies like semi-solid-state batteries promise to extend the lifespan of EVs and improve their performance.
