New figures come in: how long electric car batteries really last ?

New figures provide valuable clues about the average lifespan of electric car batteries.

This is THE question ask yourself when you buy an electric car! If the general public most often focuses on autonomy and the capacity of recharge, another point must be scrutinized. up close: the lifespan of the battery, its composition, its power but above all the guarantees offered by the manufacturer in the event of a problem. Because a possible change is not trivial! The battery generally represents between 30 and 50% of the original cost. #39;an electric vehicle.

However, figures are still rare on the subject, mainly due to a lack of perspective. A new American study lifts the veil on the real lifespan of electric car batteries across the Atlantic. Tesla, Ford, Hyundai… The company's researchers American company Recurrent Auto, specialist in market analysis electric vehicles, have passed  sifted through the data of more than 20,000 electric cars sold in the United States since 2011. Their objective: to evaluate the fr  Battery replacement frequency and their evolution over the years.

First observation, the results are rather reassuring for owners and future buyers of electric vehicles. In the United States, only 2.5% of cars studied required repair. a battery change, apart from manufacturer recalls (sometimes massive, for example on the Chevrolet Bolt). This reassuring figure, however, hides disparities depending on the age of the vehicles. Thus, for models produced between 2011 and 2015, the replacement rate rises to 100%. 13%. On the other hand, it falls &agrav; less than 1% for more recent cars, marketed at from 2016.

This improvement can be explained in particular by the technological progress made both in battery chemistry and in battery systems. thermal management measures. Between 2015 and 2022, the capacity will increase. battery average jumped 122%. They can therefore lose more capacity. before requiring proper replacement. In addition, cooling and control systems have improved, extending the lifespan.

Despite Everything, the buyer of an electric vehicle must expect a gradual deterioration of the capacity over the years and charge/discharge cycles. Frequent fast recharges up to 100% 100% are à again singled out as an aggravating factor. Most manufacturers, however, guarantee that at least 70% of the capacity is maintained. initial after 8 years or 160,000 km. This is the case with Renault for its new electric models.

Concretely, if we rely on its statistics a car offering 500 kilometresè leaving the factory should still travel at least 350 km under the same conditions, once the 8-year warranty has expired. According to Recurrent Auto, tests show that the vast majorityé batteries maintain capacity much higher after 8 years.

Enough to remove the doubts of motorists and accelerate the transition to electric ? To do this, it will be necessary to observe the statistics in Europe these coming years as well as constant progress on batteries. Will the ever-increasing quest for endurance and autonomy come at the expense of reliability? and longevity batteries ?