Battery Degradation Estimator
Enter mileage or years to estimate battery health over time.
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How Fast Do EV Batteries Degrade?
EV battery degradation averages 2–3% per year for most modern lithium-ion batteries. After 5 years, most EVs retain 85–90% of their original capacity.
Heat is the biggest enemy of battery longevity. Avoiding frequent DC fast charging and not keeping the battery at 100% for extended periods also helps preserve battery health.
Battery degradation is the gradual loss of maximum capacity over time and charge cycles. Most EV batteries degrade to 80% of original capacity after 100,000–150,000 miles under normal use. The rate depends on chemistry (NMC vs. LFP), temperature exposure, and charging habits.
Key degradation factors: (1) DC fast charging frequency — frequent DCFC accelerates degradation compared to Level 2 for the same miles. (2) Consistently charging to 100% or discharging below 10% — keeping the battery between 20–80% significantly extends life. (3) Sustained high temperatures above 95°F — heat is the #1 enemy of lithium-ion longevity. (4) High mileage in general — more cycles = more wear.
Warranty benchmarks: most EV manufacturers warrant 70–80% capacity retention at 8 years/100,000 miles. Tesla, GM Ultium, and Hyundai/Kia E-GMP batteries have shown better real-world retention — many 2015–2018 EVs maintain 85–90% capacity at 100,000 miles.
LFP (lithium iron phosphate) batteries, used in standard-range Tesla Model 3/Y and some BYD vehicles, tolerate regular 100% charging better than NMC chemistry and degrade more slowly. If your vehicle uses LFP, daily 100% charging is recommended to benefit from regen braking capability.
See also: Range Impact Calculator · Home Charger ROI Calculator