How Long do Used Electric Cars Last?

Buying a used car can be sensible for any number of reasons. However, when it comes to used electric cars, you may be worried about their batteries’ long-term reliability. Because this is a common question at Superior Mazda, let’s take a moment to look at the facts.

EV Battery Lifespan

Electric vehicles don’t use wet cell batteries like the one found in a Mazda CX-9, nor a nickel metal hydrate (NiMH) like the batteries that might be in your TV remote. Instead, they’re lithium-ion batteries, similar to those found in a mobile phone or laptop.

In an EV, those batteries can last between ten and twenty years. However, like anything else car-related, that depends, in part, on you. More on that in a moment.

EV Battery Warranty

Under federal law, EV batteries must be warranted for a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles. Some manufacturers’ EV warranties last longer than this, though — as with any warranty — it’s important to read and understand the fine print.

Helping your EV Battery Last Longer

There are a few things that can degrade EV battery life, and they can be summed up in one word: extremes. Extremes in temperature, charge state, or charge/discharge current all cause harm. With that in mind, take a few simple steps to preserve your EV battery’s performance.

• Don’t park in areas prone to wild temperature swings.
• Avoid “topping off” the battery nightly, or repeatedly letting the battery get to a very low state of charge; it’s fine to hover in the 40 to 80% range, saving the 100% charge for longer trips.
• Don’t leave the car plugged in for extended periods, since this will slowly erode battery life.
• Avoid quick discharges through frequent, hard, acceleration.
• Use quick-charging stations sparingly.
• Use your EV’s power management features.

EV Maintenance at Superior Mazda

One last reminder: regardless of what’s under the hood, or beneath the sheet metal, used cars need maintenance. EVs, while lower maintenance, are no exception, so schedule EV service at Superior Mazda today!