The Best Electric Car Battery Warranty 2023

The electric car battery warranty can sometimes be overlooked during the purchase process – let’s face it, a warranty is not really as glamorous as the paint colour or the heated seats. A comprehensive and reliable EV battery warranty gives EV owners peace of mind, knowing that they are protected against potential issues that may arise with their vehicle’s most vital component.

So let’s take a look at the various types of battery warranties, compare the major EV manufacturer’s warranties, and explore what makes a warranty stand out as the best from the rest.

The best electric car battery warranty 2023

The table below lists the warranty duration and mileage for the leading EV brands in the UK.

Fisker and Lexus offer the best EV battery warranties among the brands listed. Both Fisker and Lexus provide a 10-year or 100,000-mile warranty, which is longer than the 8-year duration offered by most other brands. However, it’s important to consider other aspects of the warranties, such as capacity retention guarantees, coverage details, transferability, and exclusions or limitations.

Additionally, you should also factor in each brand’s reputation for customer service, battery performance, and vehicle reliability when choosing the best electric vehicle and warranty for your needs.

*The warranty information is for the entire range or, where there is variance within a range, the mid-range vehicle. Warranty information is subject to change so be sure to check each model’s warranty prior to purchase.

Does an Electric Car warranty cover replacing an EV battery?

An electric car battery warranty will normally cover the replacement or repair of the battery if it experiences issues during the warranty period. 

It will cover things like manufacturing defects, workmanship issues, and capacity degradation beyond a specified threshold. If the battery capacity falls below the stated limit within the warranty period, the manufacturer may replace or repair the battery free of charge.

It is essential to thoroughly read the warranty terms and conditions to understand the extent of coverage and any exclusions or limitations. Some warranties may not cover battery damage resulting from user error, neglect, or unauthorised modifications.

What are the different types of electric car battery warranties?

In the UK, electric car battery warranties typically fall into two main categories, each with its own coverage scope and duration. Here are the two types of warranties:

1. Limited Warranty
   This type of warranty covers manufacturing defects and workmanship issues related to the battery. Limited warranties provide coverage for a certain ‘limited’ duration, usually, this will be a combination of time and mileage. Just like with an EV charger warranty, if an EV battery fails because of manufacturing defects within the warranty period, then the car manufacturer should repair or replace it at no additional cost to the owner.
   
   
2. Capacity Warranty
   A capacity warranty is designed to specifically deal with the battery capacity degrading. As batteries charge more and more their capacity to hold a charge gradually decreases. Capacity warranties set a threshold, usually in terms of a percentage of the original capacity (e.g., 70% or 80%), and guarantee that the battery will retain at least that much capacity over a specified time and mileage. If the battery capacity falls below the stated threshold during the warranty period, the manufacturer will repair or replace the battery.
   

The majority of UK manufacturers offer a combined warranty that covers a limited time and battery capacity.

What to look out for when comparing EV battery warranties?

When comparing electric car battery warranties, there are a number of points to look at in order to find the best warranty for your needs:

• What areas it covers
  Assess what aspects of the battery are covered under the warranty, such as manufacturing defects and if the capacity gets worse. Some warranties may also cover specific components like the battery management system or thermal management system.
  
  
• Capacity retention guarantee
  Look for warranties that specify a minimum capacity retention percentage (e.g., 70% or 80%). This protects you against battery capacity problems and makes sure that your battery will always have a certain level of its original capacity throughout the warranty period.
  
  
• How long it lasts
  Compare the length of warranty coverage, typically measured in years and miles or kilometres. Longer warranty periods offer greater peace of mind but also consider the likelihood of owning the vehicle for the entire warranty duration.
  
  
• Make sure you can transfer the warranty
  Check if the warranty is transferable to a new owner if you decide to sell the car. Transferable warranties can help maintain the resale value of your electric car.
  
  
• Exclusions and limitations
  Review the warranty terms and conditions for any exclusions or limitations, such as damage due to user error, damage during EV breakdown cover assistance, or modifications that you have made to the car.
  
  
• Manufacturer reputation
  Consider the reputation of the electric vehicle manufacturer in terms of customer service, and how they actually handle warranty claims, are there reviews online you can read to understand customers’ experiences?
  
  
• Additional extended warranty options
  Check out the extended warranty options for your electric car battery.

Extended EV battery warranties

You can usually get an additional extended warranty from your EV manufacturer that will extend the length of the standard electric car battery warranty you get with your vehicle. Extended warranties will come with an additional cost, which will vary depending on the provider and the level of coverage.

Batteries do not last forever and the replacement or repairs can be costly, an extended warranty can protect against the unexpected expense of a battery replacement. If the extended warranty is transferable to other owners, it can help keep the car’s resale value if you decide to sell it in the future. Buyers may be more willing to purchase a used EV with an active extended battery warranty.

Common reasons for battery warranty claims

Usually, the 3 most common issues are battery capacity, performance or faulty components.

Capacity issues
Over time, EV batteries can lose capacity due to factors like ageing, frequent fast charging, or exposure to extreme temperatures. If the battery’s capacity falls below a certain threshold specified by the manufacturer within the warranty period, a claim may be filed for repair or replacement.

Manufacturing defects
Faulty components or manufacturing defects in the battery cells, modules, or battery management system (BMS) can lead to performance issues or premature failure. Warranty claims may be filed to address these defects and ensure the battery operates as intended.

External damage
In some cases, damage to the battery from accidents, punctures, or other external factors can lead to warranty claims. However, warranty coverage for external damage may be subject to specific terms and conditions, and claims might be denied if the damage is deemed a result of improper use or negligence.

What’s the cost of replacing an EV battery?

According to data compiled by Book My Garage, the current cost of replacing an EV battery in the UK is approximately £5,400. The actual cost though will depend on the make, model, battery capacity, and labor costs involved. These prices will likely decrease over time as battery technology evolves and production costs go down.

How long does an electric vehicle battery last before it needs replacing?

Modern EV batteries are expected to last between 10 and 20 years before they need replacing. While battery replacements are relatively rare, it’s essential to consider factors such as driving habits, charging practices, and the manufacturer’s warranty when evaluating the expected lifespan of an EV battery. With proper care and maintenance, EV batteries can last for many years without needing replacement.

Can electric car battery warranties transfer to a new owner?

Yes electric car battery warranties in the UK are usually transferable to a new owner, as the warranty tends to be attached to the vehicle itself rather than the individual who purchased it.

This means that when an electric vehicle is sold, the remaining warranty coverage is transferred to the subsequent owner, providing them with the same protection as the original purchaser. Make sure you check though – as some manufacturers may have unique terms and conditions that stop a warranty transferring.

If a battery needs to be replaced will the new battery be covered by the warranty?

When a battery is replaced under warranty, the replacement battery is typically covered for the remaining period of the original warranty. For example, if a battery is replaced under warranty at the 5-year mark of an 8-year warranty, the replacement battery should be covered for the remaining 3 years or until the original warranty’s mileage limit is reached, whichever comes first.

Some manufacturers may decide to offer pro-rated coverage based on the age or mileage of the vehicle at the time of replacement. So you need to review your warranty documentation or contact the manufacturer for the most accurate information regarding your specific situation.

What happens to my EV battery when it is replaced?

When an electric car battery is replaced, the old battery is usually recycled as it contains valuable materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. Recycling facilities should extract these materials from the battery cells and sell them back to manufacturers so that they can be made into new batteries, reducing the need for new mining and refining.

The final word on electric car battery warranties

The battery warranty is an essential thing to understand when you are purchasing an EV, just as important as the aesthetics and more important than the warranty terms for the rest of the vehicle – as the battery is the most important part of an EV!

Fortunately, there is not a huge amount of difference between the battery warranties of leading UK brands, with many brands opting for 8 years of coverage or 100,000 miles (whatever comes first). Some are more, and some are less, but the best electric car battery warranty should offer a blend of reasonable duration, adequate mileage coverage, clear terms and conditions, good customer service and customer reviews.

John Ellmore

John is the Editor and Spokesperson for Electric Car Guide.

With over 20 years of writing experience, he has written for titles such as City AM, FE News and NerdWallet.com, covering various automotive and personal finance topics.

John’s market commentary has been covered by the likes of The Express, The Independent, Yahoo Finance and The Evening Standard.