A new 2024 report by Ricardo for the FIA European Bureau sheds light on one of the most pressing questions surrounding electric cars: what happens to their batteries once they’ve outlived their use in cars? The report delves into the lifecycle of EV batteries, their degradation over time, and the potential for second-life applications. With electric vehicle adoption on the rise, understanding the future of used batteries is crucial for addressing both environmental and economic concerns.
MORE> The FIA EV Report in full
How Long Do EV Batteries Last?
One of the key findings in the report is the average degradation rate of EV batteries, which stands at around 2.2% per year, or 10.4% per 100,000 miles driven. This means that over time, EV batteries lose a portion of their original capacity, affecting how far a car can travel on a single charge. For many consumers, battery longevity is a primary concern when considering the purchase of an electric vehicle.
However, advancements in battery technology and thermal management systems in newer EV models have helped slow the rate of degradation. The report also highlights that regulations like the Euro 7 standard will soon require manufacturers to guarantee a minimum level of battery durability, providing reassurance to consumers. This regulation, set to come into effect in the EU, will also require vehicles to include a battery state of health (SOH) monitor, allowing drivers to track the condition of their battery and better understand its remaining capacity.
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Second-Life Applications Are Breathing New Life Into Used Batteries
While EV batteries may lose efficiency for vehicle use, they can still hold a substantial amount of energy. This opens up the possibility of repurposing these batteries for stationary energy storage applications, such as storing renewable energy generated by solar panels or wind turbines. According to the report, second-life applications could provide a valuable and sustainable way to reuse EV batteries, preventing them from becoming waste and reducing the demand for new battery production.
There are already a number of pilot projects across Europe exploring the feasibility of repurposing EV batteries for grid storage, but widespread adoption has been limited. Technical challenges, such as safety concerns and the lack of standardisation in battery design, are some of the hurdles that need to be addressed before second-life applications can become mainstream.
However, the report notes that repurposing batteries can be a cost-effective solution for both consumers and manufacturers. For owners of EVs, selling their used battery for reuse can provide an additional revenue stream, while manufacturers can benefit from the lower cost of repurposed batteries compared to new ones. This circular approach could also reduce the overall environmental impact of battery production by extending the lifespan of materials used in batteries.
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Why Second-Life May Be the Better Option
Despite the potential benefits of repurposing batteries, the report acknowledges that recycling is still the most likely end-of-life option for many EV batteries in the near term. Recycling allows manufacturers to recover valuable materials, such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which are used to produce new batteries. However, the current infrastructure for recycling batteries is limited, and the process can be costly and energy-intensive.
One key issue raised in the report is the lack of standardisation in battery design, which makes recycling more difficult. Batteries from different manufacturers often have varying chemistries and configurations, meaning they require different methods for safe recycling. Standardising battery design could make recycling more efficient, reduce costs, and improve the overall sustainability of the EV industry.
The EU’s new Sustainable Battery Regulation sets ambitious targets for recycled content in new batteries, aiming for 70% material recovery by 2030. However, the report suggests that in the short term, repurposing batteries for second-life applications could offer a more immediate and impactful solution, as the costs and technical barriers to recycling remain high.
How Can You Maximise Your EV Battery’s Life?
For EV owners, understanding how to get the most out of their battery is key to ensuring long-term performance. The report provides several practical tips for extending battery life:
- Avoid frequent fast charging
While fast charging is convenient, it can cause more stress on the battery and accelerate degradation. Whenever possible, use slower charging methods. - Keep your battery within a moderate charge range
Batteries degrade faster when they are consistently charged to 100% or allowed to drop below 20%. Maintaining a charge between 20% and 80% can help prolong battery life. - Manage extreme temperatures
Both very hot and very cold conditions can negatively affect battery performance. If possible, park in shaded or temperature-controlled environments to avoid unnecessary strain on the battery. - Use regenerative braking
This feature, available on most EVs, helps to recover energy while driving, reducing the overall demand on the battery and improving efficiency.
The report concludes with several policy recommendations aimed at promoting the reuse and recycling of EV batteries. These include incentivising local recycling infrastructure to reduce transportation costs and emissions, improving standardisation in battery design, and enhancing data-sharing between manufacturers to support repurposing efforts.
While battery degradation is an inevitable part of owning an electric vehicle, advancements in technology and better management strategies can help maximise the lifespan of these critical components.
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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.
