EV Battery Health: Key Findings from 22,700 Vehicle Data Analysis

Analysis of 22,700 EVs shows modern batteries last beyond vehicle lifespan, but degradation accelerates with high-power charging (3% annual loss vs. 1.5% for low-power), hot climates (+0.4%), and extreme state-of-charge habits.

Analysis of over 22,700 electric vehicles confirms modern EV batteries outlast typical vehicle service life, though degradation rates vary significantly based on usage patterns. Key factors influencing battery health:

Battery Degradation Trends

Average annual capacity loss: 2.3%
Early models (2023): 1.8% degradation
Recent models: 2.3% (due to higher-power charging adoption)
Established models stabilize at 1.4% after initial drop-off

{{IMAGE:2}} Figure: Average degradation rates by vehicle class (MPVs: 2.7%, cars: 2.0%)

Charging Impact: The High-Power Penalty

Charging Pattern	Degradation Rate	Projected Capacity After 8 Years
Low-frequency DC charging	1.5% annually	88%
High-frequency (<100kW)	2.2% annually	82%
High-frequency (>100kW)	3.0% annually	76%

Key findings:

DC fast charging frequency >12% doubles degradation risk
Charging sessions >100kW accelerate capacity loss
Fleet DC fast charging usage tripled since 2020

Climate and Usage Factors

Temperature: Hot climates (+35°C) increase degradation by 0.4%/year
State of charge: Degradation spikes only when batteries spend >80% time at extremes (<20% or >80% SOC)
Utilization: High daily use adds 0.8% annual degradation but boosts ROI

Strategic Recommendations

Match charger to need: Use lowest sufficient power (avoid >100kW unless essential)
Moderate SOC exposure: Avoid prolonged storage at full/empty charge
Climate awareness: Park in shade during heat waves
Prioritize utilization: Accept trade-off for productivity gains

Charlotte Argue, Senior Manager of Sustainable Mobility at Geotab