Degradation & health
How range fades, and what the warranty really covers.
Batteries fade slowly, not suddenly
A common EV fear is the battery "dying" like a phone. In practice, EV packs lose capacity gradually — a few percent in the early years, then slowing — not a cliff. You lose a little range over time, but the vehicle keeps working. Drag the years to see the typical curve:
Quick checkHow does an EV battery typically lose capacity?
The warranty safety net
You're not on your own with this. Most makers warranty the battery for around 8 years or 1,60,000 km, guaranteeing it will still hold at least ~70% of its original capacity in that window. If it degrades faster, that's on them.
Quick checkWhat does a typical EV battery warranty guarantee?
Habits that extend battery life
A few easy habits slow degradation: for NMC packs, charge to ~80% for daily use and 100% only before long trips; don't rely on DC fast charging every day; and avoid leaving the car at 100% or 0% in extreme heat for long periods. LFP packs are more forgiving.
Quick checkWhich habit is hardest on a battery over time?
You learned
- Capacity fades gradually, not in a sudden cliff.
- Warranties typically guarantee ~70% for 8 years / 1.6 lakh km.
- Gentle charging habits (esp. for NMC) extend battery life.