What You Need to Know About Electric Vehicle Batteries

Electric vehicles have been on the market for over a decade, but for most car shoppers it’s still a new and unfamiliar technology, and that goes double for the battery packs that power them. If you're considering buying an EV now or in the future, knowing about the batteries that power them will help you decide if they are right for you and will help you know what to expect if you decide to go the all-electric route. 

In this article, we'll cover what an electric car battery is, how much capacity it has, how long it takes to charge one, how much it costs to charge, and what kind of driving range a battery provides. You'll also learn how long electric car batteries last, how much they cost to replace, what happens to them at the end of their life, and more. We provide an in-depth article for the majority of the topics below, so make sure to click on the hyperlinks for more information. 

What is an electric car battery?

The majority of electric vehicles are powered by a lithium-ion battery pack, the same type of battery that powers common electronic devices like laptop computers and cellphones. However, the units powering EVs are massive and usually span the area of the vehicle's floor between the front and rear wheels. EV batteries are referred to as packs because they typically consist of several battery modules that, in some cases, can contain hundreds of individual cylindrical battery cells that are the same shape as common AA and AAA batteries. There are also prismatic (a rigid rectangular shape) and pouch (less rigid but also rectangular-shaped) types of EV battery cells. Lithium-ion batteries have a much higher energy density than the lead-acid batteries used to start internal combustion engine vehicles. “Energy density” means they can store more energy for a given weight, so you can get a lot more energy out of a lithium-ion battery, which means more range. Don't miss out on our article that explains what electric car batteries are made of. 

What is the capacity of electric car battery packs? 

An electric vehicle's battery capacity is measured in kilowatt-hours, or kWh, the same unit your home electric meter records to determine your monthly electric bill. In the EV world, kilowatt-hours are to batteries as gallons are to gas tanks. But a full battery can't be completely equated with a full fuel tank. All electric car batteries have a usable capacity that's slightly less than the total capacity because this helps extend the life of the battery pack since that buffer prevents it from ever being completely charged. For example, the BMW iX's battery pack has a total capacity of 111.5 kWh, but its usable capacity is 106.3 kWh. Most automakers advertise the gross capacity. 

Like fuel tank sizes, electric car battery pack capacities vary depending on the vehicle. Small EVs like the Chevrolet Bolt EV typically have smaller capacities that range between 60 kWh and 75 kWh. However, there are some exceptions with short-range EVs that have even lower capacities ranging between 30 kWh and 40 kWh. Large electric SUVs like the Tesla Model X and Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV have larger battery packs that range from 100 kWh to 120 kWh. But some battery packs are even larger. The Large battery pack in the Rivian R1T and R1S is 135 kWh, and the very large and very powerful GMC Hummer EV truck's battery pack is over 200 kWh. 

How much driving range do electric car batteries provide? 

Driving range is one of the most important questions facing EV drivers. That's because it varies much more among EVs than it does for conventional internal combustion engine vehicles. And unlike with a conventional car, you can't fill the tank at one of many gas stations in just a few minutes. 

The majority of modern EVs have a driving range of over 200 miles on a full charge, but some, like the Lucid Air Grand Touring, can drive over 500 miles. The Nissan Leaf S, which has the smaller standard battery pack, has one of the lowest range figures of EVs sold today: just 149 miles. But many EVs have surpassed the 300-mile mark including certain models of the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Tesla Model Y Long Range, and certain versions of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. Many luxury models like the Mercedes-Benz EQS (SUV and sedan) and trucks like the Rivian R1T and Ford F-150 Lightning have some models that can drive over 300 miles as well. Edmunds has conducted real-world range tests on over 70 EVs. Many went farther than their EPA-estimated range; see which ones are the leaders on our electric vehicle range leaderboard. 

How long does it take to charge an electric car battery?

How long an electric vehicle battery takes to charge depends on its size, the speed of the charger being used, and the battery's state of charge when the vehicle is plugged in. Most owners charge their EVs at home because it's the most convenient and most affordable way to charge. The majority of electric vehicles come with a charging cord, but if they don't, owners can buy one from the manufacturer. Aftermarket cords are available too. 

Charging cords can plug into a standard 120-volt household outlet, the same type that powers and charges everyday electronics. This is referred to as Level 1 charging. It's the easiest way to charge but it's also the slowest. The Chevy Bolt EV only gains 4 miles of range in an hour using a 120-volt outlet. Owners can get away with that speed if they don't drive much on a daily basis and always have their EV plugged in while parked. But if the battery is almost drained after a long trip, it can take over two days to fully charge it.     

Most EV owners install a 240-volt home charger — called Level 2 — which charges EVs significantly quicker. But a home charger costs more and you may have to install a 240-volt outlet. The Bolt EV's battery, for example, takes seven hours to fully charge with a 240-volt charger, adding about 25 miles of range per hour. But because most owners charge daily to keep their EV topped off, it will only take about an hour to charge the battery to the wanted percentage after a normal day of driving. Level 2 chargers are also available at public charging stations. 

The fastest way to charge is by using a DC fast-charging station, or Level 3 charger. But Level 3 chargers are only available at public stations and it's the most expensive way to charge. Using the Bolt EV as an example again, a fast charger can add 100 miles in 30 minutes. But the Bolt EV's max charging speed is low compared to most EVs.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is one of the quickest-charging electric cars. When hooked up to a powerful enough fast-charging station, it can charge the battery from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes. However, fast-charging stations vary in speed. Check out this article for a full rundown on how long it takes to charge an electric car using different types of chargers. Besides our real-world Edmunds EV Range Test, we've also tested the charging speeds of over 50 EVs. Don't miss out on our EV Charging Test leaderboard. 

How much does it cost to charge an electric car battery?

The cost of charging an electric vehicle depends on where you charge it. As mentioned, charging at home is the ideal way to charge because it's more convenient and more affordable than using a public station. But if you're traveling or can't charge at home, then you must rely on public charging stations. If your employer offers it, you might be able to charge at work, in some cases for free.  

To keep costs as low as possible, most EV owners charge their vehicles at home when the cost of electricity is the lowest during off-peak hours, like nighttime. Calculating how much it costs to charge at home is easy if you know how much your local utility company charges you per kWh and the size of the battery pack you're charging. For example, if you're charged 20 cents per kWh, it would cost about $13 to charge the Bolt EV's 65-kWh battery pack from empty to full.

If you want to know how much it costs to charge an EV over a period of time, let's say in a year, you need to know the efficiency of the EV, how much you drive, and how much you're charged per kWh. Don't miss out on how to figure out how much electricity an EV uses and how to calculate how much it costs to charge an EV per year at home. We also take a deeper dive into the cost of charging at home and how much it costs to install a Level 2 charging station at home. 

Figuring out how much it costs to charge an EV using a Level 2 or Level 3 public charging station isn't as straightforward because public charging stations vary in price and charge by the kWh or per minute. Tesla Supercharger stations have their own per-kWh or per-minute pricing that owners can look up in the vehicle's navigation system. Our thorough article explains how much it costs to charge at Level 2 and Level 3 public charging stations. 

How long does an electric car battery last? 

With each charge and discharge, the battery's capacity will be reduced over time. Climate, driving habits, and the frequency of Level 3 fast charging also affects the lifespan of a battery. But unlike the small lithium-ion batteries found in electronic devices, electric car batteries last significantly longer. While manufacturer projections vary, the U.S. Department of Energy says modern electric car batteries last 12 to 15 years in moderate climates and eight to 12 years in extreme climates. But many experts say electric car batteries can last up to 20 years or as long as 200,000 miles. Fortunately, electric car battery warranties are long. The federal government requires at least an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty on electric car batteries. We take a deeper look into how long electric car batteries last. 

How much does it cost to replace an electric car battery? 

If an electric vehicle battery fails or falls below a certain capacity — usually about 70% — the replacement cost is free if it's still under warranty. But if the battery is not under warranty, the replacement cost varies depending on the EV. According to Consumer Reports, the average replacement cost for an electric car battery ranges from $5,000 to $15,000, which is similar to the replacement cost of an engine. However, in some cases, only certain modules in the battery pack will have to be replaced instead of the whole battery pack. The cost of an individual module ranges anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 depending on the size of the module. Make sure to read our detailed article on electric car battery replacement costs for more information.   

What happens to old electric car batteries? 

Instead of ending up in a scrapyard like most internal combustion engines do, electric vehicle batteries can be repurposed, refurbished or recycled when they fail or when their capacity degrades enough. When battery packs lose about 30% of their capacity, they aren't viable for EVs anymore, but they have plenty of life left for second-life applications or can be refurbished. Stationary power storage for home or commercial use is one of the most common ways to reuse a battery pack. Various companies around the world have found different ways to repurpose used electric car battery packs. If the battery pack can't be reused or refurbished, or has served its second-life application, then it can be recycled to make new battery packs (more on that next). Make sure to get the full rundown on what happens to electric car batteries.  

How are electric car batteries recycled? 

Several battery recycling companies have partnered with automakers in an effort to recycle spent electric vehicle battery packs. There are three methods used in EV battery recycling: pyrometallurgy (uses extreme heat), hydrometallurgy (uses strong acids), and direct recycling (physically disassembled). EV battery recycling will help fill the demand for raw materials needed to manufacture new battery packs, reduce the prices of raw materials, and reduce the dependence on mining raw materials, which isn't environmentally friendly. However, EV battery recycling faces some challenges. Our article about EV battery recycling benefits, methods and challenges takes a deep dive into this topic. 

What do I need to know about electric car battery fires? 

The most common cause of EV battery fires is a serious crash. If the battery cells in the battery pack are damaged, it’s possible for a chemical reaction to occur, heating up the battery cells until they hit a point called "thermal runaway." When this occurs, the cells can catch fire, which can easily spread throughout the battery pack causing the entire vehicle to catch fire. Thermal runaway can also happen if battery cells aren't properly charged, but EVs have a battery management system that keeps the temperature of individual cells in check. 

Despite what you might see in news reports, EVs rarely catch fire, but they get a lot of coverage when they do. Learn how often electric vehicle fires happen and what you should do if you have an EV fire. 

Edmunds says

Electric car battery technology is still in its infancy, but as it improves, expect longer driving ranges, faster charging, lengthier lifespans and lower replacement costs. As with any new technology, it takes time to wrap your head around it, but before you know it, EVs will become just as familiar to you as the cars you grew up with.