How long will an electric vehicle battery really last? It’s a question many organisations ask when planning their transition to electric fleets. Recent research from Geotab Inc., tracking 21 different vehicle makes and models over several years, provides some encouraging answers.
The study found an average annual battery degradation rate of 2.3%. Whilst this represents a slight increase from the 1.8% recorded in 2024, the change reflects how electric vehicles are now being used more intensively, with greater reliance on rapid charging infrastructure.
What’s particularly valuable about this research is how it identifies practical ways to extend battery life. By understanding which factors matter most, fleet operators can make smarter decisions about charging and deployment that protect their investment whilst keeping vehicles on the road.
Charging power matters most
The research identifies charging habits as the single biggest factor in how batteries age. Vehicles that frequently used DC fast charging above 100 kW showed degradation rates of around 3.0% per year, roughly twice the rate of those charged mainly through standard AC or lower-power options, which averaged about 1.5% annually.
This difference creates real opportunities for fleet planning. Where schedules allow, choosing lower-power charging can significantly extend battery life. The good news is that this approach doesn’t necessarily mean sacrificing operational flexibility—it’s about finding the right balance for each fleet’s specific needs.
Understanding this relationship helps organisations make better decisions about charging infrastructure. Whilst rapid charging offers undeniable convenience, knowing its impact on battery health allows for more thoughtful choices about when and where high-power charging makes sense for particular vehicles and routes.
Climate shows minimal impact
Temperature does affect battery performance, but perhaps less than many anticipate. The study found vehicles operating in hot climates experienced degradation rates about 0.4% higher per year than those in milder conditions. However, this effect proved far less significant than charging habits.
This finding offers reassurance for organisations operating across different regions. Electric fleets can perform well in various climates, particularly when charging strategies take local conditions into account. Operators in warmer areas can achieve similar battery longevity to their temperate-climate counterparts by prioritising gentler charging methods where practical.
Modern battery technology has clearly improved. Better thermal management systems and advances in battery chemistry mean environmental factors are increasingly manageable, giving organisations confidence to deploy electric vehicles across diverse territories.
Heavy use delivers strong returns
Vehicles that work harder do show slightly faster battery wear. The busiest vehicles in the study experienced about 0.8% more degradation annually than lightly used ones. But here’s the crucial point: this modest increase is far outweighed by the benefits of keeping vehicles productive.
The economics make sense. Vehicles earning their keep through intensive daily use generate better returns, even accounting for marginally shorter battery life. The research validates what many fleet managers suspect—that maximising vehicle utilisation remains sound business strategy.
This finding is particularly encouraging for commercial operators. There’s no need to hold back on deployment to preserve batteries. Reasonable daily use, whilst causing some additional wear, doesn’t undermine the strong economic case for electric fleet operation.
Flexible charging works
One of the study’s most practical findings challenges the idea that batteries need strict daily charging limits. Vehicles using a wider range of charge levels showed no significant additional degradation—unless they spent extended periods at either extreme.
The research found that problems only emerge when vehicles remain at very high or very low charge states for more than 80% of the time. This threshold gives fleet managers useful, straightforward guidance without requiring complicated daily protocols.
This flexibility simplifies operations considerably. Fleets can respond to varying daily demands without worrying about elaborate charging schedules. The key is simply avoiding prolonged periods at charge extremes—a manageable goal for most operations, particularly those with variable workloads.
Understanding degradation
Battery degradation is a natural, gradual process. State of health (SOH) provides a simple way to measure it, with new batteries starting at 100% SOH and declining slowly over time.
Think of it this way: a 60 kWh battery at 80% SOH effectively operates like a 48 kWh battery. The research shows that despite differences between vehicle models and usage patterns, most modern batteries remain perfectly functional well beyond typical fleet replacement timelines.
“EV battery health remains strong, even as vehicles are charged faster and deployed more intensively. Our latest data shows that batteries are still lasting well beyond the replacement cycles most fleets plan for. What has changed is that charging behaviour now plays a much bigger role in how quickly batteries age, giving operators an opportunity to manage long-term risk through smart charging strategies.”
Charlotte Argue, Senior Manager, Sustainable Mobility, Geotab
Modern telematics systems make tracking battery health straightforward. These tools provide accurate, real-time information about battery capacity and degradation rates, helping organisations make informed decisions throughout a vehicle’s working life. The research suggests a simple principle: use the gentlest charging that meets operational needs, and batteries will reward you with reliable, long-term service whilst vehicles remain available when needed.