How many moving parts are in an EV drivetrain and engine? Just 20, according to Drive Electric, a New Zealand based EV advocacy group. At the same time, the typical ICE vehicle has around 2,000. There are no fuel pumps or crankshafts or gears in an EV that can wear out and break. While EVs still need brakes, tires, windshield wipers, and cabin air filters, fleet managers can save thousands by no longer paying for oil changes and engine maintenance. By following your manufacturer’s recommended service schedule and using strategic charging, you can prolong the life of your electric fleet.
How Long Do EV Batteries Last?
There are two battery lifespans that a car owner probably knows best: the 2-3 year lifespan of a smartphone lithium-ion battery and the 3-5 year lifespan of the conventional lead-acid battery in an ICE vehicle. It makes sense for the non-EV driver to assume that once they go electric, they too will need to replace the battery (easily the most expensive component) every few years. But as Kelley Blue Book points out, EV batteries can last 15-20 years, meaning they can often outlive the vehicle itself.
Why do EV batteries last longer? It all comes down to the technology. Gas cars typically use a lead-acid battery (which receives a limited charge from the vehicle alternator), while EVs use a lithium-ion battery (which does not require an alternator). Lithium-ion battery cells are smaller physically and have greater density than lead-acid battery cells, which means that a manufacturer can increase the battery capacity without increasing the total size.
EnergySage notes that “it is normal to use 85 percent or more of a lithium-ion battery’s total capacity in a single cycle, [but] lead acid batteries should not be discharged past roughly 50 percent.” Lithium-ion batteries can discharge more energy in a single cycle, which means it can recharge less often and therefore last longer. In an article about solar energy batteries, Clean Energy Reviews notes that “lithium (LFP) batteries are designed to be discharged up to 90% total capacity (10% SOC) while the traditional lead-acid (gel & AGM) batteries are generally not discharged more than 30-40% on a daily basis.” EnergySage also notes that lithium-ion batteries are 95% or more efficient, though a lead-acid battery only has 80-85% efficiency. Due to this higher efficiency and depth of discharge, lithium-ion batteries in an EV can hold energy longer, which means they can complete fewer annual charging cycles than a comparable ICE vehicle.
How do you extend the lifespan of an EV battery?
Generally speaking, the EV industry recommends keeping your lithium-ion battery between 20-80% of full capacity and to use L2 chargers whenever possible. As Geotab points out, seven main factors can impact battery lifespan:
Age
Extreme temperature
Operating SOC
AC Level 1&2 versus DC fast charging
Usage (number of energy cycles)
Battery chemistry, such as LFP
Thermal management of the battery system
A December 2024 Stanford-SLAC study found that today's EV batteries could last up to 40% longer than expected. The research team noticed that most EV battery charge cycles are tested "in laboratories using a constant rate of discharge followed by recharging," which does not match the actual driving patterns of the typical EV driver. After testing 92 commercial lithium-ion EV batteries, researchers found that "real driving with frequent acceleration, braking that charges the batteries a bit, stopping to pop into a store, and letting the batteries rest for hours at a time, helps batteries last longer than we had thought based on industry standard lab tests."
Charging up to 80% at a Level 2 charger, using regenerative braking features, and letting your EV fleet vehicles rest overnight could help your EV batteries last longer.
