Electric car batteries are usually lithium-ion batteries similar to the battery in your mobile phone. EV batteries are re-chargeable and need to be connected to a power supply - like a charger - to be replenished with power. Once your battery has been charged it uses this energy to power your cars electric motor and wheels.
Most electric car battery warranties are for 7-8 years but you may get up to 10 years of use from your EV's battery before you need to replace it. Like other lithium-ion batteries , your car battery will degrade after numerous charge cycles but there are plenty of things you can do to help your battery last longer. The good news is electric car batteries can also be recycled and could even be used to power your home in the future.
Your battery will last longer if you only charge to around 80% and you're better to fill up before your battery's totally empty to prevent battery degradation and battery capacity reduction.
Charge overnight
Charging overnight using a 7kW home charger is much more effective than regularly using rapid chargers. The fast charging speeds can reduce the capacity of your battery.
Accelerate smoothly
Accelerating too harshly can impact your battery performance and lifespan, so don't take off too rapidly at the lights. Take off smoothly and you'll help to increase your batteries longevity.
Battery range and capacity
How far you can get in an electric car on a full charge is an important question for many people when thinking of buying a new car. This is sometimes referred to as range anxiety. The good news is, EV manufacturer's are continually working to improve the range and capacity of their new vehicles with the Mercedes EQS claiming a huge 453 mile range from a single charge.2
Electric car battery capacity
Lithium-ion battery capacity is measured in kWh (Kilowatt hours). The average capacity is around 40kWh, but some cars now have up to a 100 kWh capacity. The battery capacity of your car will have a direct impact on its range. That's the amount of miles you can drive on a full charge, so the higher the kWh the better. As an example Nissan suggest that the 40kWh battery in it's Nissan Leaf model will give you a 168 mile range.1
EV battery charging
The most convenient way to charge your EV battery is at home with a dedicated home charging station. They're much safer than a 3 pin plug and having the ability to charge at home means you can charge whilst you sleep.
We offer a range of home chargers, with installation included so if you're looking to make charging your car battery hassle free, we can help you out.
Replacement battery costs can vary depending on the make and model of your car. Though you probably won't need to replace the battery pack in your electric car for a very long time. They're expected to last around 500,000 miles and even if you do have problems with your battery the 7-8 year (on average) manufacturers warranty from most EV manufactures has you covered.
EV help and support
Still have questions about electric vehicle charging? Our help and support pages have a range of frequently asked questions to help with your query.
Learn about installing an electric vehicle charger at home, how long electric cars take to charge, and types of charger with our guides to EV charging.
Charging your car at home is the way to go for a simple plug-in and go solution and with the technology of electric cars improving all the time you can help us reduce carbon emissions by investing in an electric car.
If you're wondering how we install your home charging point, we've pulled together an overview of the process from booking your appointment to plugging in for your first charge.
Discover how switching to an electric car could save you money - compare the cost of electric vs petrol and understand the real cost of charging your electric vehicle at home.