Electric Vehicle Batteries Lasting Well So Far
Executive summary:
We estimate that range of the earliest models of electric vehicles declines at an average of 2% - 4% per annum because
of battery decay. These EVs will still be able to travel 85 km on a single charge when ten years old, well in excess of
the average of the average daily travel of cars in New Zealand. Battery refurbishment costing between $2,000 and $5,000
will then reboot the EV’s range. These costs are way less than the money saved on fuel and reduced maintenance costs in
the interim. The newer and larger EV batteries will last much longer than these earliest models, so battery degradation
is a manageable and decreasing part of normal maintenance and repairs of electric vehicles.
Background:
Our estimate is based on the monthly battery health statistics uploaded to Flip the Fleet, a national ‘citizen science’ coalition of over 470 EV and PHEV owners who share data on the performance of their
vehicles in New Zealand (www.FlipTheFleet.org). A survey this month provides personal testimony and experience of NZ EV and Plug-in Hybrid owners about managing
battery decay, and several quotes that you might use to give a personal touch to your item.
ENDS