You can drive an electric car until the battery is depleted (like a gas car running out of fuel), but the battery itself lasts many years and hundreds of thousands of miles, typically 10-20 years or 150,000-300,000+ miles before significant degradation (losing ~20-30% range). Modern EV batteries degrade slowly (around 1.8% per year) and are built to last for the car's lifespan, often outlasting the rest of the vehicle, with manufacturers warrantying them for 8 years/100,000 miles.
Lithium ion batteries are lightweight and rechargeable - making them perfect for a travelling vehicle. However, this means that their power capacity will decline over time, much like our handheld devices, resulting in approximately 80% of the original capacity after eight years of daily use.
Most modern EVs with 60–100 kWh battery packs can provide 200–350+ miles per charge, which often equals 6–10 hours of real-world driving. For example: A Tesla Model 3 Long Range (341 miles) can comfortably cover a full day of commuting plus errands.
The 80/20 rule for electric cars is a guideline suggesting you keep your battery charge between 20% and 80% for daily driving to maximize battery health and lifespan, avoiding deep discharges below 20% and frequent full charges to 100% which stress the battery. While not a strict law, it reduces strain, prevents range anxiety (by keeping a buffer), and improves overall battery longevity, though you should charge to 100% for long trips when needed.
The out-of-pocket cost to replace an electric car battery varies significantly based on different factors, like your vehicle make and model, and whether the EV battery is still under warranty. In general, the price to replace an EV battery no longer under warranty can run anywhere from $5,000 to about $20,000.
For example, a large battery with over 100 KwH can easily cost over £11,000. In contrast, a smaller battery with as little as 50 KwH will cost around £5,000. Expect to pay more for a Tesla battery replacement than for a Fiat 500e or Nissan Leaf! Check out Tesla battery replacement cost on our blog.
Rowan Atkinson, a self-proclaimed car enthusiast and early EV adopter, wrote a 2023 Guardian op-ed feeling "duped" by EV claims, arguing they aren't the environmental panacea they seem due to battery production pollution and ethical concerns over mining, suggesting keeping petrol cars longer might be better and calling EVs "soulless" despite their performance. His piece sparked criticism, with some blaming it for slowing UK EV adoption, while others defended his reasonable points about EV lifecycle impacts.
Heat and Air Conditioning
Controlling the cabin and battery temperature is the biggest power drain second to driving the vehicle.
While many do leave their electric car to charge every night, this can have negative effects on the battery's range and lifespan and it's only recommended that you charge when needing to do so, to ensure there's sufficient range in the vehicle for your next journey.
Electric Cars - What are the downsides to electric cars?
EV batteries are designed to be used regularly, and long periods of inactivity can cause a gradual loss of charge, known as self-discharge. If the charge level drops too low, the battery could enter a deep discharge state, which can shorten its lifespan or, in some cases, cause irreversible damage.
If your electric car runs out of a battery, you must pull over in a safe place, ideally off the road, switch your hazard lights on, and contact Roadside Assistance. Do not attempt to tow or push the vehicle as this could cause damage to the battery.
People are selling their Teslas due to backlash against CEO Elon Musk's politics and public stances, significant depreciation and high used prices compared to competitors, increased competition from other EV brands, and some dissatisfaction with Tesla's brand direction, leading to a mix of political alignment and financial considerations driving the trend.
Diesel cars tend to have a more affordable asking price than electric cars and have better torque (power) for increased performance and towing. However, EVs are cheaper to run, plus they often feature better onboard technology and are better for the environment.
No, not all cars have to be electric by 2026; it's a gradual transition with different countries and brands setting varying goals, but 2026 marks a year with increased EV availability, new regulations (like in Australia), and some companies like Volvo Australia going fully electric, while broader bans on new petrol/diesel sales are typically targeted for 2030 or later.
Can I get a free EV charger at home? Most people will have to pay to install an electric vehicle charger at their home. Some carmakers offer a free EV charger and installation as an offer with the purchase or lease of new cars, but this is becoming increasingly rare.
Charing your electric car at home
Want to start each day with a 'full tank'? Charging each night at home will provide all the daily driving range the average driver will need. You can charge using a regular domestic three-pin socket, but a dedicated home EV charger is a much faster option.
The cost of EV ownership can vary, but there are significant cost savings compared to owning a gas-powered vehicle. EV owners who rely on at-home charging tend to save even more since electricity rates can be as much as three times cheaper compared to public charging stations.
Whilst lithium ion batteries do lose charge when the car is parked for an extended period, the good news is that this is usually a very minimal amount of the overall charge. Most electric cars can expect to lose only lose a few percent of their charge a month if sitting idle.
In 2020, EVs had 8.5 breakdowns on average, while combustion cars had 12.9. These figures went down to 4.3 for EVs in 2021 and 1.7 in 2022, while combustion-powered vehicles had an average breakdown rate of 8.2 in 2021 and 5.4 in 2022.
His stuttering has been the subject of newspaper articles such as “Rowan 'Mr.
Leasing an EV is often a "no-brainer" due to significant tax savings (especially with novated leases in Australia, leveraging FBT exemptions and pre-tax salary deductions for costs), lower running costs, bundled expenses (servicing, insurance), avoiding depreciation, and easier access to newer tech without the hassle of selling. This combination of financial incentives and convenience makes EVs more affordable and practical to drive, reducing the effective cost significantly compared to buying outright.
Bean, a running gag involves the titular character played by British comedian Rowan Atkinson frequently coming into conflict with a light blue 1972 Reliant Supervan III, which gets tipped over, crashed into, or bumped out of its parking space. This was also continued in Mr. Bean: The Animated Series.