Do You Have Fears About Needing to Replace an EV Battery? Good News: It’s Statistically Rare

With the increasing presence of electric vehicles (EVs) on Canadian roads, many buyers, whether shopping for a new or used vehicle, are worried about battery longevity compared to tried-and-true internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and the cost and frequency of replacements.

The problem is that much of the misinformation surrounding EVs and battery life has become mainstream and widely accepted as fact, or rare instances of battery issues have been blown out of proportion with little to no context. Because EVs are still generally quite new to vehicle shoppers, some of this misinformation is taken at face value instead of considered with a critical eye. 

One of the most common myths likely deterring people from buying EVs is the misunderstanding that EV batteries don’t last long and you’ll have to replace them within a couple of years. Looking at the research and data available helps contextualize this common anxiety regarding EV battery life and shows that they’re not all that different from the gas cars we’re already used to.

Myth: EV Drivers Will Have to Replace Batteries Because They Don’t Last as Long as Gas Engines

Knowing a vehicle's powertrain warranty — electric, gas, or diesel — is crucial before purchasing. Understanding a car's powertrain coverage is key to being informed and prepared for potential repairs. One way to assess a vehicle's expected longevity is to check the manufacturer's replacement warranties.

The most common new vehicle powertrain warranty offered for gas-powered vehicles from the major automakers — Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Stellantis, Toyota, and Volkswagen — is five years or 100,000 kilometres (160,000 km for diesel), whichever comes first. ​​In most cases, it covers the cost of expensive repairs or replacement of the powertrain's major components, like the engine, transmission, and drive axle(s).

Based on their new vehicle warranties, these automakers are more confident in their EV models, which are backed up by longer warranties. Most EV manufacturers offer at least an eight-year, 160,000-km warranty on battery packs. Tesla provides 160,000 to 240,000 km of coverage, depending on the model. These EV warranties cover the complete failure of a battery pack and against degradation. As they age, charge cycle by charge cycle, a lithium-ion pack loses a fraction of its total capacity. An EV's battery must retain at least 70 to 75 per cent (depending on the manufacturer) of its capacity during the warranty period. If they drop below that threshold, they'll be replaced for free.

Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology suggest a 450,000 to 1.35 million-km lifespan for an EV with a range of 450 km per charge, based on real-world data. That’s much more robust than most gas-powered engines.

Research from Recurrent Auto shows that the highest rate (13 per cent) of battery replacements in EVs is for first-generation models that are now 14 or 15 years old. Since then, battery capacity has increased dramatically, meaning that in modern EVs, more battery capacity loss can occur before a full replacement is needed. For EVs made in 2016 onwards, the research shows less than one per cent of EVs studied have reported full battery replacements.

Remember that just like a gas engine's life depends on where, how, and how well it has been driven, the same applies to electric cars. An EV's battery life expectancy relies on several factors, including how often you charge, the charging level, and climate and temperature. From the data available, however, it seems that fears about needing to replace an EV battery are statistically unwarranted.

How Much Do EV Batteries Cost to Replace?

While a factory-backed powertrain warranty gives owners peace of mind, once the coverage expires — or you’ve bought a used vehicle that's no longer under warranty — replacing the gas engine or battery pack can be one of the most expensive repair costs. 

For gas vehicle owners, replacing a motor can cost as little as $5,500 for a four-cylinder to upwards of $14,000 for a high-performance engine. Plus, unlike EVs, you can reduce costs by searching for a used engine instead of buying a new one. Also, any engine can be swapped for the original as long as it fits. Finally, if you have the mechanical ability and access to tools, you could rebuild your existing gas engine.

EV owners have fewer options. If your warranty runs out and the battery pack is beyond repair, you will likely need to look for a replacement from the original automaker. Unfortunately, a new pack can range from $6,500 to $20,000, depending on the size and manufacturer. But these out-of-pocket repairs are statistically extremely rare, as noted in the Recurrent Auto research above. 

Don't Let Electric Battery Myths Keep You from Buying an EV

After looking at the facts about the longevity of EV batteries, the long-term costs of owning an EV aren’t as different from gas cars as the myths may suggest.

Regarding powertrain warranties, EVs offer almost twice the number of years compared to a typical gas or diesel vehicle. If you plan on owning your car for over five years, the data says an EV is the better choice for peace of mind. While replacing a battery pack is still more expensive, most EV owners will never get to that point, and battery prices are expected to drop as EV adoption grows among consumers and manufacturing ramps up. Additionally, EV manufacturers are trying to do everything possible to improve the lifespan of their batteries. Some have already included protective measures like thermal management systems and charging restrictions, while others are also developing solid-state batteries, which address many concerns about lithium-ion batteries and longevity. 

In the end, a recent Canadian Automobile Association study suggests that buying an EV will help debunk these myths further, as drivers' worries about battery degradation fell significantly, dropping from 54 per cent before they bought their EVs to only 13 per cent after their purchase.