When Do EV Batteries Start Losing Power? A Study of 50,000 Cars Reveals the Answer.

How Electric Vehicle Batteries Degrade Over Time

According to Novyny.live: A joint study by TÜV Nord and Carly analyzed data from 50,000 electric vehicles to determine how quickly their batteries wear down. The findings pinpoint critical thresholds for capacity loss. Covering model years from 2016 to 2026, the research offers a long-term look at battery health trends. This is especially relevant for English-speaking markets, where EV adoption is accelerating and buyers are increasingly concerned about long-term ownership costs.

According to the analysis, battery health stays consistently high up to 90,000 kilometers (roughly 56,000 miles) of driving. On average, batteries lose about 0.7% of their capacity every 10,000 kilometers. At the 90,000-kilometer mark, they still retain 93–94% of their original power. However, once that threshold is crossed, the degradation rate jumps sharply to 2.3% per 10,000 kilometers.

Brand-by-Brand Differences

Among the best-performing brands are Hyundai, Kia, and Mercedes, whose batteries retain 90–95% of their capacity after several years of use. In contrast, older models from Volkswagen, Renault, and Citroen show remaining capacities between 70% and 80%, highlighting significant reliability gaps across manufacturers.

One factor accelerating battery wear is frequent use of fast-charging stations, which degrades the cells more quickly. This issue is becoming increasingly important as EVs grow more popular, since consumers must consider not only initial performance but also long-term battery durability and efficiency.

Overall, the study provides crucial insights for both EV buyers and manufacturers. Understanding how quickly batteries degrade—and how different brands compare—can help consumers make smarter purchasing decisions, while pushing automakers to improve their battery technology and product offerings.