Why your EV's battery will outlive your phone's battery - and by how much

Source: ZDNet

Photo credit: Alexander Spatari/Moment via Getty Images

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• A firm specializing in EV batteries studied the health of 8,000 vehicles.
• The vehicles ranged in age from 0–12 years and had mileage up to 160,000 mi.
• The study found that EV batteries routinely last 8 years / 100,000 mi.

One of the main concerns people have about electric cars is battery longevity. It’s a valid worry—most of us are used to smartphone and tablet batteries wearing out after just a few years. While replacing a phone battery can feel expensive, the cost of an EV battery replacement dwarfs that: the battery itself can run $5,000–$25,000, with labor adding another $1,000–$3,000.

Also: The best cheap portable power stations: Expert tested and reviewed

A recent study by Generational—a UK firm that specializes in EV battery diagnostics—shows that EV batteries are surprisingly robust. The study examined 8,000 cars and vans from 36 different makes, covering vehicles from brand‑new to 12 years old, with mileages ranging from 0 to over 160,000 mi.

EV Battery Technology Is Surprisingly Reliable

The report’s key findings show that battery technology is surprisingly reliable. The average battery health—calculated as the current usable capacity divided by the original capacity, multiplied by 100—was a strong 95.15 %.

• An EV battery is considered unfit for use when its health drops below 70 %, a lower bar than the consumer‑electronics limit of around 80 %.
• The typical warranty EV makers offer—usually 100,000 mi / 8 years—is very generous.

The state of the battery health versus age of vehicle – Generational/ZDNET

The study shows that the median battery capacity of vehicles aged 8–9 years was still greater than 85 %. Mileage is an even weaker indicator of wear: vehicles with 100,000+ mi routinely enjoy 88–95 % battery health.

Why Do EV Batteries Last Longer Than Smartphone Batteries?

The main difference is construction.

• Cell count – A typical smartphone battery contains one (or two, for fast‑charging) cells, while an EV pack can contain 2,000–7,000+ cells. More cells mean each cell experiences less heat and wear, extending lifespan.
• Chemistry – Smartphones usually use high‑energy‑density lithium‑ion chemistry. EVs employ NMC (Nickel‑Manganese‑Cobalt), NCA (Nickel‑Cobalt‑Aluminum), and increasingly LiFePO₄ (Lithium‑Iron‑Phosphate) cells, which are safer and have longer cycle lives.

You might be familiar with LiFePO₄ batteries; they’re used in many portable power stations — manufacturers claim they can last several thousand recharge cycles before being classified as worn out.

Charging Frequency Matters

Charging is one of the biggest sources of wear. While a smartphone needs a daily top‑up, an EV does not. Using conservative figures:

• Typical EV range: 250 mi
• Battery cycle life: 1,000 cycles before dropping to 70 % health
• Average U.S. driver: 15,000 mi / year

Result: An EV battery pack could theoretically last over 15 years.

Also see: I ignored Apple’s battery tips and charged my iPhone the wrong way – here’s how it fared

Also see: I thought replacing my AirTag battery with a rechargeable one was a good idea – it wasn’t

End‑of‑Life Considerations

All rechargeable batteries degrade, but the chemistry, construction, and usage patterns of EV batteries make wear less problematic.

• Second life: Serviceable EV cells can be repurposed for stationary energy‑storage applications.
• Recycling: Unserviceable cells join the recycling stream, where valuable minerals are recovered.

Bottom Line

• Smartphones need small, lightweight batteries that recharge quickly and last a day.
• EVs prioritize capacity, longevity, and cost‑effectiveness; size and weight are less critical.

Because of these differing requirements, EV batteries achieve far higher durability than the tiny cells powering our phones.