EV How long do EV batteries last?
EV batteries are lasting longer than most people expect. A 2025 study of more than 8,000 EVs found typical battery health of about 90% after 7–8 years and about 85% after 8–12 years, a loss of roughly 1–1.5% a year. Most brands sold in Australia cover the battery for 8 years or 160,000 km, and some for longer.
How much range do you lose?
Median battery health by age, from Generational's 2025 Battery Performance Index (UK data, more than 8,000 cars across 36 brands).
| Car age | Typical battery health |
|---|---|
| 0–2 years | 100% |
| 2–3 years | about 97% |
| 7–8 years | about 90% |
| 8–12 years | about 85% |
In practice, a car with 510 km of claimed range when new would have roughly 459 km after eight years. That's rarely enough to change how you use it day to day.
Battery warranties in Australia
Most EVs sold here have a separate battery warranty of 8 years or 160,000 km, whichever comes first, and some brands offer more. The warranty usually promises the battery will keep at least 70% of its capacity, so normal slow fading isn't a claim; a faulty cell or a sudden drop is. Each car page lists the car's main warranty, and the brand's website has the battery terms.
How to make your battery last
- For daily driving, charge to around 80% unless the manufacturer says 100% is fine (some LFP batteries, common in BYD, MG and base Tesla models, are meant to be charged to 100% regularly).
- Avoid leaving the car at 100% or near empty for days at a time.
- Use fast chargers for trips rather than every day, especially in hot weather.
- Park in the shade or a garage in summer when you can. Heat is the main enemy of battery life.
- Keep the car's software up to date; battery management often improves with updates.
Does battery wear change running costs?
Hardly at all. An older battery holds less energy, so you get fewer kilometres per full charge, but the car uses about the same energy per kilometre, so the cost per week to charge stays close to new. Losing 10% of range after eight years means charging a little more often, not paying more per kilometre.
Where battery age does matter is resale value: buyers pay less for an older EV with lower battery health or little warranty left. Our cost-to-own figures leave out resale value because it varies too much by brand and car to estimate fairly. If you plan to keep a car for 10 years or more, a longer battery warranty is worth weighing up when you compare cars.
Buying a used EV
Ask for a battery health (state of health) report, which many dealers and EV specialists can produce. Check how much of the battery warranty is left and whether it transfers to you. A healthy battery at 90%+ is normal for a car a few years old.
What if it does need replacing?
Full replacements outside warranty are uncommon. Faults are often fixed by replacing a single module rather than the whole pack, and battery prices keep falling. When a battery does reach the end of its life in a car, it can be reused for home storage or recycled.
Common questions
How long do EV batteries last?
Usually well beyond the warranty. A large 2025 study found typical battery health of about 90% after 7–8 years and 85% after 8–12 years, so most batteries outlast the car's first decade.
What is the battery warranty on an EV in Australia?
Typically 8 years or 160,000 km, whichever comes first, with some brands offering longer. Most warranties guarantee at least 70% of the original capacity.
Should I charge my EV to 100%?
It depends on the battery. Many manufacturers recommend about 80% for daily use, but cars with LFP batteries are often designed to be charged to 100% regularly. Follow the advice in your car's manual or app.
Does fast charging damage the battery?
Occasional fast charging is fine. Using it every day, especially in hot weather, can wear the battery a little faster, so charge at home where you can and use fast chargers for trips.
More guides
How we work it out
Weekly cost is the car's claimed energy use (kWh per 100 km) × your distance × your electricity price. "Per week" figures on this site assume 250 km a week with 90% of charging at home. Petrol comparisons use the fuel use and price you choose. Prices are list prices at October 2026 and change often; check with the dealer.
- Electricity: 2026–27 default or regulated flat rates from the AER Default Market Offer (NSW, SE QLD, SA), Victorian Default Offer, Aurora Energy (TAS), Jacana Energy (NT), Synergy (WA) and ActewAGL (ACT).
- Public charging: Sydney survey of Chargefox, Evie, NRMA, Tesla and BP Pulse prices, July 2026.
- Car specs and prices: manufacturer figures as published by CarExpert, AEVA EV fact sheets, Drive and EV Central's car guide. Some prices are the publisher's estimates; check with a dealer.
- Servicing: published capped-price schedules (BYD Sealion 7, BYD Seal, Geely EX5, Jaecoo J5 EV, Kia EV5, Zeekr 7X). Tesla has no fixed service schedule and CarExpert's EV servicing comparison. Where a model's pricing isn't published yet we use the brand's nearest model and mark it as an estimate.
- Tyres: RACV puts EV tyre life at 20,000–40,000 km; replacement set prices from Gridly's 2026 EV tyre cost guide.
- Petrol and diesel: ACCC average retail unleaded and diesel prices in each capital city, 21 October 2026 (ACCC weekly fuel price monitoring).
- Plug-in hybrids: prices, battery sizes and claimed electric range from CarExpert, Cars24, Zecar and The Beep. Real-world electric range is taken as 80% of the claim; plug-ins charged at home each night are assumed to do up to 85% of driving on electricity. Petrol use with a flat battery is our estimate from reviews where makers don't publish one.
- Diesel utes and SUVs: claimed combined fuel use and prices from CarExpert, 4X4 Australia and CarSauce. The HiLux automatic, Prado and Mazda CX-60 D50e are 48-volt mild-hybrid diesels; their small battery assists the engine but can't drive the car on its own.
- Petrol mild hybrids (Suzuki Swift Hybrid, Mazda CX-60 G40e): claimed fuel use and prices from CarExpert.
- Hybrids: claimed fuel use, prices and capped-price servicing as published by CarExpert and CarsGuide. Petrol and hybrid tyres usually last 40,000–60,000 km (RACV); we use 50,000 km.
- Home chargers: typically $1,000–$3,000 installed, about $2,000 typical (What's the Damage, October 2026).
- Novated lease rules: PwC summary of the May 2026 FBT changes.
Printed from EV Pick · evpick.com.au. Prices and costs are estimates; check with the dealer.