How long do EV batteries really last?
Large 2026 fleet data shows EV batteries lose about 2.3% of capacity a year on average, and how you charge matters more than the weather.
Key takeaways
- Geotab's January 2026 analysis of more than 22,700 EVs found average battery degradation of 2.3% per year, up from 1.8% in its 2024 study.
- Cars that mostly used DC fast charging above 100 kW lost up to 3.0% a year, against about 1.5% for cars on slower charging.
- Hot climates added roughly 0.4% a year, so charging habits matter more than where you live.
In this article
It is the first thing most people ask before buying an EV, and the answer has shifted a little in the last two years, so it is worth looking at the newest data.
What the numbers say
Telematics company Geotab tracks battery health across large numbers of real cars. Its January 2026 update covers more than 22,700 electric vehicles across 21 makes and models.
- Average degradation: 2.3% a year. Its 2024 analysis found 1.8%.
- Cars that depended on DC fast charging above 100 kW: up to 3.0% a year.
- Cars that mostly charged on AC or lower-power chargers: about 1.5% a year.
- Hot climates: about 0.4% a year faster than mild ones. Geotab says charging power has the bigger effect.
The report ties the rise since 2024 to how people use their cars, especially more fast charging.
What that means in practice
Degradation shows up as less range, not as a car that suddenly stops. Geotab gives an example: a 60 kWh battery at 80% state of health behaves like a 48 kWh battery.
A rough picture, assuming the loss is steady each year. At 2.3% a year a battery would still hold about three quarters of its capacity after ten years. At 1.5% it would hold a little over 85%, and at 3.0% about 70%. Real batteries do not lose capacity in a perfectly straight line, so use these as a guide, not a forecast.
Geotab’s own conclusion is that batteries are lasting well beyond the replacement cycles fleets plan for.
How to make a battery last longer
- Charge slowly by default. Home or workplace AC charging covers most daily needs.
- Keep fast charging for trips. It is a tool for long days, not a daily habit.
- Avoid sitting at 100% or near 0% for long, where your manual advises it.
- Park in shade or a garage in very hot places.
What to check before buying a used EV
- Ask for a battery health report (state of health), not just the odometer reading.
- Read the battery warranty for that exact model: years, distance, and the minimum capacity it promises. Terms differ between makers, so read the document instead of assuming.
- Ask how the car was charged, if the seller knows. A car that lived on fast chargers has probably aged faster than one charged at home.
Sources
- Geotab, updated EV battery health analysis (press release), 13 January 2026. 22,700+ EVs across 21 makes and models.
Frequently asked questions
How much range will I lose after 10 years?
If the average rate of 2.3% a year held steadily, a battery would keep roughly three quarters of its original capacity after ten years. Real batteries do not degrade in a perfectly straight line, and your own rate depends on how you charge, so treat this as a rough guide.
Does fast charging damage the battery?
In Geotab's data, cars that relied heavily on DC fast charging above 100 kW degraded faster, up to 3.0% a year versus about 1.5% for slower charging. Fast charging on the odd road trip is a very different pattern from using it every day.
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