Do Electric Cars Last Longer Than Gas Cars? (2024)

FAQs

Do Electric Cars Last Longer Than Gas Cars? ›

When it comes strictly down to numbers of miles and years, an EV will likely outlast an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. With regular use, the average lifespan of a gas vehicle is 150,000 miles or eight years, and EVs can last up to 200,000 miles, or about 12 years.

Most last between 8 and 12 years, but this may be shorter if you regularly use your electric vehicle. Another common measure of lifespan is through total miles driven. EV manufacturers such as Tesla offer battery warranties under 100,000 total miles for battery failure and degradation.

According to Consumer Reports, electric vehicles have 79 percent more reliability problems than a gasoline- or diesel-powered vehicle, on average. Plug-in hybrids fared even worse; they have 146 percent more issues on average than the conventional alternative.

Myth 7: Electric cars break down more than normal cars

Electric cars are actually shown to break down less than combustion vehicles, as they have fewer moving parts. They also require less maintenance, fewer fluids and their brake systems generally last longer due to regenerative braking.

Does EV car insurance cost more? EVs are insured by the same policies as gas-powered cars and, in principle, you're not charged more simply for driving an EV. But they have higher sticker prices, repairs cost more and fewer repair shops work on them, so monthly premiums can be higher.

One key disadvantage of electric cars is the battery life. Like all batteries, the capacity decreases over time. Researchers suggest battery capacity decreases by approximately 2.3% every year. Battery longevity is highly dependent on temperature.

While bigger batteries allow drivers to travel farther between charges, they also make the cars heavier, more dangerous, more expensive, and worse for the planet. The "range anxiety" that has resulted in massive batteries is another reason EVs don't work as a replacement for gas cars.

While many do leave their electric car to charge every night, this can have negative effects on the battery's range and lifespan and it's only recommended that you charge when needing to do so, to ensure there's sufficient range in the vehicle for your next journey.

Some of the most reliable ones were noted to be the Kia EV6 and Niro Electric 2023, the BMW iX and i4 2023, the Tesla Model 3 and the Lexus RZ 2023, among others. Consumer Reports tested each vehicle and considered their road-test performance in addition to their safety features, owner satisfaction, and reliability.

What is the downfall of owning an electric car? ›

But the EV market has nevertheless become a major disappointment. There is a troubling gap between expectations and reality. Bloomberg New Energy Finance, for instance, had projected sales of 1.7 million plug-in vehicles in 2023, but only 1.46 million ultimately sold.

A question that frequently comes up when discussing electric vehicles (EVs) is: “Can the grid handle it?” The short answer is “yes.” Getting that answer, however, takes working through a number of other key questions and doing a little bit of math.

How much does an EV battery cost to replace? EV battery replacements range from $6,500 to $20,000 based on the pack, size and manufacturer. If a battery is within its manufacturer warranty, typically 8 years and 100,000 miles, then you should get a replacement battery at no extra cost.

Estimates are at least 200,000 miles, but there are reports of EVs already achieving more than 300,000 miles on the original battery. They are generally under warranty for 8 years or 100,000 miles, but new EV batteries are lasting much longer. Tesla claims its EV batteries should last up to 500,000 miles.

Most manufacturers say drivers should get over ten years or 100,000 miles of use from an EV. But, many drivers are happy to report they get much more than this. The performance of an EV is not affected over its lifetime, even with some battery degeneration. There may be a slight decrease in range.

Despite potentially no longer being as useful in an EV, at the end of life in a vehicle the batteries still store significant amounts of energy. As a result, several companies are already taking used EV batteries and converting them into stationary storage to power homes, buildings and the wider electricity grid.