Real-world data finds that most EV batteries outlast the cars they're in despite it being one of the biggest fears
Published on Feb 20, 2026 at 5:09 AM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Feb 19, 2026 at 7:55 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
While it’s a big reason why combustion-engine lovers refuse to make the switch, real-world data is beginning to show that EV batteries can outlast the actual cars that they are powering.
Many drivers feared that the batteries in an electric car would fail or lose a lot of battery capacity the more the car is used, and the longer it is used.
But data is now showing this not to be the case, and that they actually can outlast the very cars they are in.
This should eliminate a massive fear that many people have and give the cause for EVs a serious power boost.
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What is the data showing about EV batteries?
The data has come from London-based EV battery diagnostics company, Generational.
They analyzed over 8,000 battery tests conducted across 36 automotive manufacturers.
What they found was that the average battery State of Health (SoH) in an EV was 95.1 percent of the original capacity.
This data covered all kinds of vehicles, from a normal family car to commercial vehicles.
It also covered EVs that were brand new and up to 12 years old.
Mileage is also accounted for, with the spectrum ranging from zero to 160,000 miles.
This data is a massive boon for EV advocates, and it proves many people’s fears are unfounded.
The data even applies to older vehicles as they reach the end of their warranty coverage.
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The data removes fears about battery lifespans
For vehicles that were over eight years old or had done over 100,000 miles, they retained 70 percent of the battery capacity.
That is very impressive, considering some feared it would be far less than that.
Other vehicles at 100,000 miles still had 88-95 percent of their State of Health capacity.
Mileage is no longer a reliable indicator of battery health, either as generational found that newer vehicles with high mileage outperformed older vehicles with lower mileage.
The data company also reported that it is the battery condition, not degradation, that affects used EV prices.
What the data does is strengthen the argument from manufacturers that batteries can last.
Those that operate fleets of electric vehicles will also have confidence that they won’t need replacing quickly.
So it seems that EV batteries have more going for them than we originally thought.
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Henry joined the Supercar Blondie team in February 2025, and since then has covered a wide array of topics ranging from EVs, American barn finds, and the odd Cold War jet. He’s combined his passion for cars with his keen interest in motorsport and his side hustle as a volunteer steam locomotive fireman at a leading heritage steam railway in England.
