EV battery degradation calculator
Fleet data from 22,700 EVs, 21 models, fleets in Canada, the US and Europe puts average degradation at 2.3% a year: about 81.6% of the original capacity after eight years, 88% for lightly used cars. Heavy fast charging pushes it to 3.0% a year; mature liquid-cooled packs run at 1.4%. Enter your car to see range at any age.
Your car
Estimate
Capacity over 15 years
Your profile against the fleet average. Real packs lose a few percent quickly in year one (the "break-in" drop), then settle to a slower line; the curve models that.
What the data says
- Charging speed: more than 12% of charging above 100 kW raised the loss to 3.0% a year.
- Heat: cars spending more than 35% of time at 25°C or warmer lost 0.4 points a year more.
- State of charge: Degradation accelerates only when the car spends more than 80% of its time outside the 20–80% charge window.
- Use: low-use cars keep about 88% after eight years, high-use about 81.6%.
- Chemistry and cooling: the eight mature models tracked since 2023 average 1.4% a year; early air-cooled packs were far worse.
Chemistries
| Pack | Typical loss | Cycle life | Habit |
|---|---|---|---|
| NMC / NCA most Teslas Long Range, Hyundai, Kia, VW, BMW, Mercedes | 2.3%/yr | 1,500–2,500 full cycles to 80% | Higher energy density; dislikes sitting at 100% and heat. Charge to 80% daily. |
| LFP BYD Blade, Tesla Standard Range, most Chinese EVs | 1.5%/yr | 3,000–5,000 full cycles to 80% | Slower calendar ageing and no harm from 100% charges (needed weekly for the gauge); loses more range in cold weather. |
| Early packs, passive or air cooling Nissan Leaf 2011–2017, early Kia Soul EV | 4.0%/yr | about 1,000 cycles | No liquid cooling; hot-climate Leafs lost 20–30% in five years. Check the bars on the dash, not the odometer. |
Warranty and buying used
US federal rule: 8 years / 100,000 miles minimum on the battery; most makers replace below 70% state of health (Tesla, Hyundai, Kia, Ford, GM, Rivian 70%; Nissan 9 bars of 12 ≈ 66%). California ZEV rules from model year 2026: 70% at 8 years / 100,000 miles, 75% at 5 years / 62,000 miles.
- Ask for a state-of-health readout (Tesla service menu, Recurrent report, OBD dongle apps); a 100% charge showing 90% of the original rated range means roughly 90% health.
- Check recalls; several packs (Bolt, Kona, early ID.4) were replaced under recall, which resets the clock.
- Degradation is already priced into used EVs: see the depreciation calculator and used prices.
- Cold weather cuts range 20 to 35% temporarily; that is not degradation and comes back in spring (range converter).
Sources: Geotab EV Battery Health Report, Jan 2026 (22,700 EVs) · Electric Autonomy on the Geotab 2026 study · Recurrent battery reports. Estimates, not a diagnosis; your pack's thermal management, climate and charging history dominate.