Stanford Study: Real-World EV Use Extends Battery Life by Up to 38%
A recent study by Stanford University challenges common perceptions about electric vehicle (EV) battery degradation. It suggests that real-world use can extend battery life by up to 38% compared to laboratory testing. This news comes as a relief to EV owners and fleet operators alike.
Contrary to initial beliefs, frequent use of DC fast chargers and the stop-start nature of driving do not accelerate battery degradation. Instead, they can actually prolong battery life. This is particularly true in hot climates, where frequent fast charging is common.
Researchers found that traditional laboratory testing methods, such as cycling tests and capacity retention measurements, lead to faster battery degradation. These methods do not accurately replicate real-world conditions. In reality, EV batteries retain more of their capacity and have lower internal resistance after real-world use.
A study by GEOTAB revealed that newer EVs lose only 1.8% of their health per year, a significant improvement from the 2019 rate of 2.3%. Moreover, a 2024 report found that most EV batteries still had good capacity even after propelling vehicles over 200,000 km. This means EV owners may not need to replace battery packs as frequently as previously thought, leading to lower operating costs.
These findings have significant implications. Longer-lasting batteries reduce the total cost of EV ownership and benefit the environment by getting more use out of each battery. Fleet operators, in particular, can benefit from these findings as batteries in high-mileage commercial EVs should remain reliable even after heavy use. However, to maximize battery life, owners should keep charge levels between 20% and 80%, avoid extreme temperatures, and limit fast charging.
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