EV battery degradation: how much range do electric cars lose?
Electric car batteries lose capacity slowly, not suddenly. The largest real-world study, by telematics firm Geotab, found an average loss of 2.3% a year, which means a typical EV keeps about 82% of its original capacity after eight years. In practice, a car that did 250 miles on a charge when new would manage about 204 miles at eight years old in the same conditions.
This guide explains what the data shows, what makes batteries wear faster, what a replacement costs if one does fail, and how to look after the battery in your car.
Last updated 27 October 2026. Figures come from Geotab, Generational and Bumper (see the sources at the end).
Key takeaways
- EV batteries lose about 2.3% of capacity a year on average, according to Geotab’s 2025 study of more than 22,700 vehicles.
- After eight years, the average battery keeps around 81.6% of its original capacity.
- Frequent use of high-power DC chargers (over 100kW) is the biggest cause of faster wear.
- Cars charged mostly on low-power AC chargers degraded at around 1.5% a year.
- Cold weather cuts range temporarily, but that is not the same as permanent degradation.
- Most batteries are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles against falling below about 70% capacity.
In this guide
- How much range does an EV lose each year?
- What makes a battery degrade faster?
- Is cold weather the same as degradation?
- What if the battery does fail?
- How to look after an EV battery
- Frequently asked questions
- Sources and further reading
How much range does an EV lose each year?
Geotab analysed more than 22,700 electric vehicles across 21 models and found an average degradation rate of 2.3% a year in 2025. That is the same rate it recorded in its first study in 2020, and up from 1.8% in its 2023 study.
UK battery tester Generational has similar findings from more than 8,000 used EV tests: an average state of health of 95.15%, a median of 93.5% for four to five-year-old cars and a median of 85% for eight to nine-year-old cars.
| Age of car | Typical capacity left (2.3% a year) | Range of a car that did 250 miles new |
| 3 years | About 93% | About 233 miles |
| 5 years | About 89% | About 221 miles |
| 8 years | About 82% | About 204 miles |
| 10 years | About 77% | About 192 miles |
These are averages. Many cars lose a little more capacity in the first year or two before the rate levels out, and individual cars vary a lot. That is why a battery health check on a specific used car matters more than any average.
What makes a battery degrade faster?
Frequent rapid charging. Geotab found that high-power DC charging above 100kW is the single largest stressor. Cars that used DC fast charging for more than 12% of their charging degraded at around 2.5% a year, while those mostly charged on low-power AC chargers averaged 1.5%. In Geotab’s comparison of the extremes, the high-power group degraded at 3.0% a year, twice the rate of the low-power group. Geotab thinks the growth of ultra-rapid chargers explains why the average rate rose between 2023 and 2025.
Heat. Vehicles operating in hot climates degraded about 0.4% a year faster than those in mild conditions. The UK’s climate is kind to batteries.
Heavy use. Cars that cover high mileage every day wear their batteries faster, though Geotab notes the extra wear is usually a worthwhile trade-off for the use the car gets.
Battery design. Cars with liquid-cooled batteries tend to handle heat and rapid charging better. Older designs without active cooling, such as the Nissan Leaf, are more sensitive to repeated rapid charging.
What matters less than people think: Geotab says that for most EV use there is no need to worry about charging to full or running the battery low. Your manufacturer’s handbook is still the best guide, and many suggest a daily charge limit of around 80% for some battery types.
Is cold weather the same as degradation?
No. In cold weather, the battery’s chemistry slows and the car uses energy to heat the cabin and the battery, so range can drop noticeably in winter. That range comes back when it warms up. Degradation is the permanent loss of capacity over years. Our guide to how cold weather affects electric cars explains winter range in more detail.
What if the battery does fail?
Full battery failures are rare, and most are caught by the manufacturer’s warranty, which typically lasts eight years or 100,000 miles with a guarantee of around 70% capacity. Many of these warranties transfer to the next owner. See EV battery warranties on used cars.
Outside warranty, costs can be high. Bumper estimates that a full replacement in the UK typically costs between £5,000 and £15,000, depending on the car and battery size, with older Nissan Leafs at the lower end and premium SUVs at the top. Repairs are increasingly done at module level, replacing only the faulty section, which costs much less than a full pack. Independent EV specialists are often cheaper than main dealers.
How to look after an EV battery
- Charge mainly at home or at work on AC chargers where you can
- Use rapid chargers when you need them on longer trips, not as your everyday option
- Follow the manufacturer’s advice on daily charge limits
- Avoid leaving the car fully charged or nearly empty for long periods, especially in hot weather
- Precondition the battery before rapid charging in winter if your car offers it
- Keep the car’s software up to date, as updates can improve battery management
- Get a battery health check every year or two, and before the battery warranty runs out
Frequently asked questions
How long do electric car batteries last?
Most are designed to last the life of the car. At Geotab’s average rate of 2.3% a year, a battery would still have around three-quarters of its original capacity after more than ten years.
Does rapid charging damage EV batteries?
Frequent high-power rapid charging speeds up wear. Geotab found cars that rapid-charged for more than 12% of their charging degraded at about 2.5% a year, against 1.5% for cars charged mostly on AC.
What is a normal amount of degradation?
Around 2% to 3% a year is typical. A three-year-old EV usually has a state of health in the 90s.
Is it bad to charge an EV to 100%?
Geotab says there is no need to worry for most use, but manufacturers’ advice varies by battery type. Check your handbook, and avoid leaving the car at 100% for long periods in heat.
How much does a new EV battery cost?
Typically £5,000 to £15,000 in the UK for a full replacement, according to Bumper. Module repairs are cheaper, and most failures within eight years are covered by warranty.
Sources and further reading
- Geotab: EV battery health report (via Fleet News)
- CAR magazine: Average EV loses tiny amount of battery capacity each year
- Electric Drives: Geotab survey shows minimal degradation across 22,700 EVs
- The EV Report: Generational Battery Performance Index
- Bumper: How much does an electric car battery cost?
About this guide: Rooster is a UK car insurance provider. This guide is general information for UK drivers. Degradation varies by model, climate and charging habits, so follow your manufacturer’s advice for your car.
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