Electric vehicle (EV) batteries continue to outperform long-held expectations.

New data from telematics specialist Geotab offers reassurance for EV owners.

As new EV sales rise and the second-hand market for electric vehicles grows, battery longevity and reliability remain key concerns for buyers.

Plugged in

Based on real-world telematics data from more than 22,700 EVs across 21 makes and models, Geotab’s latest analysis finds that EV batteries degrade at an average rate of about 2.3% per year, meaning most batteries retain strong health well beyond typical vehicle service lives.

The findings come as EV use expands rapidly, and as fast charging, previously suspected of accelerating battery wear, becomes increasingly common across both private and commercial fleets.

Geotab’s study suggests that while some charging behaviours do affect battery health, overall degradation remains modest and manageable.

The ageing process

According to Geotab’s updated report:

  • Average annual degradation: EV batteries lose roughly 2.3% of capacity each year under real-world usage, a level most industry experts consider low given the expected lifespan of EVs and their batteries.

  • Impact of fast charging: EVs that rely heavily on direct-current (DC) fast chargers above 100 kW experience somewhat higher degradation — up to around 3.0% per year — compared with roughly 1.5% per year for vehicles that mostly use slower AC or lower-power charging.

  • Climate effects: Vehicles operating frequently in hotter environments tend to experience slightly faster degradation — about 0.4% per year — though this factor appears less significant than charging power overall.

  • Usage patterns: Regular use and mileage were not strongly linked to accelerated battery wear, suggesting that driving habits alone don’t drastically change degradation rates for most owners or fleet operators.

These insights are drawn from aggregated telematics data that tracks ‘state of health’, a measure of retained battery capacity, over years of real-world EV use, rather than from controlled lab experiments.

Practical reality

The overall message from Geotab’s report is clear: EV battery degradation is not the problem many once feared, but rather an area of EV ownership that does not warrant particular time or concern.

“EV battery health remains strong, even as vehicles are charged faster and deployed more intensively,” said Charlotte Argue, Senior Manager of Sustainable Mobility at Geotab, highlighting that the latest data shows batteries lasting well beyond standard replacement cycles planned by most fleets.

The findings will help shape future charging strategies and a better understanding of the total cost of ownership.

Charging behaviour emerges as a key lever to ensure battery longevity.

Owners can now fine-tune how and where vehicles recharge to help preserve battery health over the long term.

The report also aligns with a broader trend in EV research, suggesting that battery degradation rates have improved over recent years thanks to advances in battery chemistry, thermal management systems, and smarter battery management systems.

Some earlier Geotab studies suggested that batteries might degrade more slowly — around 1.8% per year under certain conditions — further emphasising that modern EV batteries are built to last.

On the road

For everyday EV drivers, Geotab’s findings should offer welcome reassurance.

Even with regular fast charging, many EV batteries will retain the majority of their usable capacity through years of daily use.

For example, a battery that degrades at 2.3% annually would still have roughly 80% of its capacity after eight years on the road, longer than most drivers keep a vehicle.

In practical terms, this durability helps maintain range, performance, and resale value, accelerating EV adoption across consumer and commercial markets.

As the EV industry continues to evolve, real-world data from telematics platforms like Geotab’s will likely play an increasing role in helping manufacturers, fleets, and policymakers understand how best to support the transition to electric mobility.