Do electric vehicles have a shorter lifespan than combustion-powered vehicles?

Many drivers often ask about the lifespan of electric vehicles, and more specifically, that of their batteries, for both economic and environmental reasons.

Current evidence suggests that many electric vehicles can provide a service life comparable to that of conventional petrol and diesel vehicles, although longevity varies depending on vehicle usage, maintenance and battery condition.

The lifespan of an electric car is often linked to that of its battery, since this component determines a large part of the vehicle's driving range over the years. This is an important difference from internal combustion engine cars, whose lifespan is more closely linked to the wear of a set of mechanical parts: engine, gearbox, clutch, exhaust system and cooling system.

However, that doesn't mean an electric vehicle reaches the end of its life as soon as its battery starts to age. It is generally considered that a battery has reached a critical threshold when it can no longer deliver more than about 70 to 80 percent of its original capacity. At this stage, it continues to function, but the available range may become insufficient for certain uses. Depending on the vehicle's overall condition and the driver's needs, inspecting, repairing or replacing the battery can help extend its useful life.

The degree of wear and tear on combustion-powered cars is often linked to their mileage. This factor is important in the case of electric vehicles, but its impact is indirect. The main factor affecting battery life is the number of charge-discharge cycles, that is, the total amount of energy charged into and then discharged from the battery. A cycle does not necessarily correspond to a full charge: several partial charges can, when combined, constitute a full cycle.

Other factors, such as extreme heat, will cause a lithium-ion* battery to degrade more rapidly over time. Cold weather can also affect range, but only occasionally and mainly in the short term.

^{* the main type of battery used in electric vehicles}

Depending on battery design, usage patterns and operating conditions, lithium-ion batteries can typically withstand a large number of charge and discharge cycles before noticeable capacity loss occurs.

Industry estimates often suggest around 1,000 to 1,500 full equivalent charge cycles, although battery performance varies by vehicle, technology and usage.

There is no single answer to this question, as battery lifespan depends on a range of factors including vehicle usage, charging habits, climate and battery technology.

Electric vehicle batteries are designed to provide many years of everyday use. Over time, battery capacity may gradually decrease, which can reduce the vehicle's available driving range. However, battery ageing is usually gradual and does not mean the vehicle can no longer be driven.

Manufacturers typically support their batteries with dedicated warranty coverage, giving drivers added peace of mind.

Certain signs may indicate that an electric vehicle’s battery is ageing and should be inspected, or even replaced, if necessary. You should be cautious when interpreting these indicators, especially if you observe only one; for example, it would be premature to conclude that a battery is worn out based solely on actual range, as this can be affected by many external factors unrelated to the battery’s condition.

Here are some examples of signs that may indicate a battery is starting to wear out.
 

• a decrease in actual range under identical driving conditions
• a range displayed on the dashboard that is lower than expected after a full battery charge
• a degraded SOH (state of health, a battery's health indicator)
• slower charging than usual
• alert messages from battery management systems

It's important to remember that range can be affected by many factors, including weather, driving style, road conditions and vehicle load. A change in range alone does not necessarily mean the battery is worn out.

An electric vehicle whose battery has reached 70–80% of its original capacity will continue to operate, but with a shorter range.

Depending on the driver's needs, there are several possible solutions: continue using the vehicle if the range remains sufficient for daily trips; have the battery inspected by a professional; have certain modules or the entire battery replaced; or purchase a new vehicle.

Before your battery reaches this stage of wear, keep these tips and pieces of information in mind to help extend its life.
 

• In your daily routine, avoid consistently charging the battery to 100% (80% is a good guideline, which you should adjust based on your needs and the manufacturer's recommendations). Before a long trip, you can fully charge the vehicle for added peace of mind. For more tips on charging, see the page: “Charging an electric vehicle.”
• Follow the manufacturer's maintenance instructions.
• Drive smoothly by anticipating when you'll need to brake or slow down. This will reduce energy consumption and, consequently, the number of charge-discharge cycles. For more tips on managing driving range in your daily life, visit the page: “electric vehicle driving range.”
• Fast charging is very convenient for certain trips, but it is not recommended to rely solely on this type of charging, as it can eventually lead to slightly faster battery wear.

At the end of a car battery’s “first life,” it can be reused for other purposes if its condition allows, or it can be handled by a specialised recycling sector.

Another cause for concern, partly related to longevity, is vehicle maintenance. Electric vehicles do not present any particular complications in this regard; on the contrary, their motors, which are simpler than those of internal combustion engines, have fewer wear parts than the latter. In addition, they do not have a clutch and regenerative braking puts less strain on the brake discs and pads, which means they wear out more slowly.

For these various reasons, maintaining an electric vehicle is generally less expensive than maintaining an equivalent combustion-powered vehicle.

The battery in the Dacia electric model (the Spring city car) is covered by an 8-year or 100,000-mile warranty. A warranty tailored to the needs of drivers of city cars and subcompact cars, who drive an average of less than 6,000 miles per year.

Depending on the Spring configuration and version, a connected maintenance system, accessible through the My Dacia app, informs the driver of the battery’s status and alerts them if routine maintenance or replacement is needed.

discover the Dacia Spring electric city car

• Electric vehicle batteries are designed to provide many years of everyday use.
• Battery ageing is gradual and does not mean the vehicle must stop being used.
• Battery lifespan depends on factors such as charging habits, mileage, climate and vehicle usage.
• Simple habits, such as following maintenance recommendations and charging according to your needs, may help support long-term battery performance.
• Dacia Spring benefits from manufacturer battery warranty coverage for added peace of mind.

In addition, maintaining an electric car is, on average, simpler and has less maintanence costs than an equivalent combustion-powered car.