How long does an electric car battery last?

When do electric car batteries need to be replaced? We explain the lifespan of an electric car battery, how you can help it last longer, and how an all-inclusive Onto subscription makes maintenance even easier.

Electric cars are known for having lower maintenance costs and easier upkeep than petrol cars. An electric car has fewer components than a petrol car, and replacement parts are easy to source affordably.

But some drivers remain uncertain about driving a car that relies so heavily on one central battery - what if it needs to be replaced?

Luckily, electric car batteries are built to last many years - and new batteries have even longer lifespans.

In this article, we’ll explain how long electric car batteries last, how you can prolong their lifespans, and how maintenance is part of every all-inclusive Onto subscription.

Summary

Electric car batteries should last 10-20 years, and new batteries should last even longer.
You can keep your battery at its best by avoiding overcharging or running too low, extreme weather, and excessive weight.
It’s unlikely you’ll have to replace your car’s battery during your Onto subscription, but maintenance is part of every all-inclusive subscription.

How long do electric car batteries last?

Most industry estimates say that an electric car battery should last from 10 to 20 years. Manufacturers will generally put five to eight-year warranties on their electric car batteries, but the actual lifespans of electric vehicle batteries are usually much longer.

And newer batteries are built to stay at peak performance even longer. Some have advanced cooling systems or measures to help drivers charge more efficiently.

How to make your electric car battery last longer

When an electric car runs, it goes through phases of charge and discharge. The battery charges to its capacity, then the power it holds is discharged as you drive.

Charging and discharging regularly won’t wear out the battery. But if you want to keep your battery performing at its best, here are our top tips for making your electric car battery last longer:

Maintain a 20-80% charge - You don’t always need to charge your battery to 100%. Keeping it at around 80% will put less wear on the battery, and it’s usually enough to get you where you need to go. At the same time, be mindful of keeping your battery charged - letting power run out completely can also cause wear.
Stay out of extreme conditions - In very hot or very cold weather, the battery has to work harder to power your car. Over time, this can affect the battery’s capacity, but there’s no need to worry if you drive on especially snowy or sunny days every once in a while.
Avoid excess weight - Carrying passengers shouldn’t be a problem, but towing bulky cargo every weekend can put wear on your battery. Just like in heavy weather, your battery has to work harder to carry extra weight, so that can cause some wear.

Taking care of your battery with Onto

When you choose an electric car subscription with Onto, you won’t have to worry about replacing your battery. Not only are you very unlikely to have to replace it during your subscription as all our cars are new or less than two years old, but we also include maintenance with every electric car subscription - so you can keep driving safely well into your battery’s lifespan.

What's the range of an electric car?: How far can an electric car drive on one charge? We look at what range is, how it’s set, and how a subscription with Onto gives you access to the range you need.
Is the time right to get an electric car?: Is it the right time to make the switch to an electric car? We look at the changes encouraging drivers to go electric - and how an Onto electric car subscription makes it easy.
How do I charge an electric car?: Are you wondering how to charge an electric car? We explain the process, the types of chargers on the road, and how Onto have made it all even simpler.

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