How long do electric vehicle batteries actually last?

A sign offers parking and charging facilities for electric cars at a retail park in Berlin in 2023. Evidence from the oldest generation of electric vehicles suggests their batteries are lasting longer than was expected in the early days of the EV industry.

When the modern electric vehicle was still in its infancy, drivers worried that vehicles would need expensive battery replacements within a few years. But battery lifespans are exceeding expectations.

(Image credit: Odd Andersen)