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EV Battery Guide

How long do EV batteries last? Learn about battery health, degradation, charging, winter range, warranties and EV battery care with Gravells.

Understanding your electric car's battery

The battery is at the heart of an electric vehicle, storing the energy used to power its electric motor.

If you're considering your first EV, you might naturally have questions about battery life, range, charging and degradation. The good news is that EV batteries are designed for long-term use. Here are the basics from Gravells.

How does an EV battery work?

Most modern electric cars use a large lithium-ion battery pack located beneath the vehicle.

The battery stores electrical energy when you charge the car and supplies that energy to the electric motor while you're driving.

Battery size is normally measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Generally, a larger usable battery capacity can provide more driving range, although efficiency also plays an important role.

How long do EV batteries last?

EV batteries are designed to last for many years.

Like the battery in a phone or laptop, an EV battery can gradually lose some of its original capacity as it ages. This is known as battery degradation.

That doesn't mean the battery suddenly stops working. Instead, you may gradually notice a reduction in the maximum range available from a full charge.

What affects EV battery health?

Several factors can influence battery performance and ageing, including:

Age and mileage
Battery capacity can gradually reduce over time and use.

Temperature
Very hot or cold conditions can temporarily affect battery performance and driving range.

Charging habits
How frequently and how the vehicle is charged can affect long-term battery health.

Driving and usage
Every EV and battery management system is different, so it's best to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for your particular vehicle.

Do EV batteries have a warranty?

Yes. New electric vehicles typically come with a separate manufacturer warranty covering the high-voltage battery for a specified time, mileage and, in some cases, minimum battery capacity.

The exact cover varies between manufacturers and models.

If you're considering an electric Kia, Renault or Dacia from Gravells, our team can explain the battery warranty that applies to that particular vehicle.

FAQS

kWh stands for kilowatt-hour and is used to measure the amount of energy an EV battery can store. It's similar to thinking about the size of a fuel tank, although the two aren't directly equivalent.

Just like running out of fuel, allowing an EV to reach an indicated 0% can leave you unable to continue your journey. It's best to recharge before reaching this point.

Yes, EV batteries and individual components can be repaired or replaced where appropriate. Whether this is necessary will depend on the vehicle, battery and nature of the issue.

EV battery packs incorporate a range of safety systems and are protected and monitored by the vehicle's battery management system.

Battery capacity is only one factor affecting range. Vehicle efficiency, weight, temperature, driving speed, terrain and use of heating or air conditioning can all influence how far an EV travels from a charge.

Discover electric driving with Gravells

Understanding your battery becomes much simpler once you've experienced an electric car for yourself.

At Gravells, our Kia, Renault and Dacia teams can help explain battery capacity, range, charging times and warranty cover for the individual EV you're considering.

You can also continue exploring our Advice Hub for more help with making the switch.

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