Electric Vehicles Guide: Lifespan, Range & Maintenance

Batteries build on technology that goes back 200 years. The first electric battery was invented in 1800 by Alessandro Volta. The technology evolved, and in 1985 the first Lithium-Ion battery was developed and effectively commercialised in 1991. Lithium-Ion enabled more energy to be stored in a reduced space and weight whilst offering a longer life for the battery.

How does a battery work?

At the heart of the battery are the cells. These cells consist of a cathode (+), anode (-) electrolyte liquid, and a separator. Simply put, when the Lithium-Ions migrate from (+) to (-) and back again, they supply electricity and recharge the battery. These individual cells are then assembled in a module, and multiple modules with sensors and a control unit make up a battery pack. The battery packs are then used to power vehicles.

Are batteries sustainable?

Battery manufacturers measure their environmental impact from mineral extraction, and treatment to cell and battery production. The minerals used are predominantly lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese. These minerals are not regarded as scarce resources and are available for the large-scale production of electric batteries.

There is global scrutiny of the extraction and processing of these minerals so the manufacturers take great care in how they operate. Everything from the impact on soil, biodiversity, water, and waste as well as health and safety, labour, and human rights are at the heart of what they do. It is worth noting that 70% of the carbon footprint of a battery cell is in its production and battery manufacturers are looking to create giga-factories close to vehicle production sites to reduce overall emissions.

The big question: Range & Degradation

Although there are standard measures — miles per kilowatt-hour (miles per kWh) is the electric vehicle equivalent of miles per gallon (mpg) — there are lots of factors that influence range. Outside temperature, vehicle aerodynamics, and the age of the cells all play a massive part. Expect at least a 10-year service life for a battery cell. A general rule of thumb: the higher the kWh figure, the more miles the vehicle will be able to do on a single charge.

Lifecycle of an EV Battery

Battery care is essential, especially in early life. Capacity and power will naturally decrease over time depending on care and use. Each battery pack is expected to retain its charging-discharging capacity for 100,000 to 200,000 miles. Manufacturers are so confident in the battery’s road use that most electric cars come with an extended warranty of eight years or 100,000 miles, which drastically exceeds most combustion engine alternatives.

There are circular approaches to batteries being developed to limit the need to extract natural resources. Battery reconditioning will become viable for reuse in vehicles or for energy storage in homes. For example, Nissan plans to use retired EV batteries to provide backup power to the Amsterdam Arena. When a battery is completely spent, the materials will be recycled into the production of new batteries.

What future developments can we expect?

By the end of the decade, the number of lithium-ion batteries will increase significantly, with higher energy densities than current batteries making them lighter and with an increased range. Pricing is set to fall as giga-factories ramp up production and economies of scale force prices down. Lower prices, combined with government legislation and incentives, will drive significant sales of electric vehicles.

Buying a used electric vehicle?

While battery health is critical, you must also check for outstanding finance, insurance write-off (MIAFTR) history, and hidden safety recalls.

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