- Used car broker analyzed the battery condition of over 1,000 used electric cars
- Most vehicles retained 90% or more of the original battery capacity
- The Kia EV6 showed the least degradation of all models tested
A Swedish used car broker has analyzed the battery performance of more than 1,300 used electric cars and plug-in hybrids to determine whether the age and mileage of used electric models should really deter buyers tempted by the cheap prices on the used market.
After all, electric vehicles need very little maintenance, with the reduction of mechanical parts reducing the risk of wear and tear, meaning battery health – or how much usable capacity the pack has lost over time – is the main concern for buyers.
Used car broker Kvdbil ran a study (via Inside EVs) that essentially analyzed readily available battery condition (SoH) reports on a range of used electric vehicles. It found that eight out of ten cars in its 1,366 vehicle sample (723 pure electrics and 643 plug-in hybrids) retained 90% or more of their originally claimed battery capacity.
Despite Kia’s EV6 statistically coming out on top, consistently returning a 90% or more battery SoH result, the study’s authors argued that battery SoH is more down to climate and general use, rather than a manufacturer’s individual battery technology.
“It’s not really tied to a typical car or typical car manufacturer. It’s more worn, that’s our analysis of it,” said Martin Reinholdsson, head of testing at Kvdbil.
“Age, climate, driving style and charging habits: They come into play as pretty big factors for wear and tear,” he added.
While Kvdbil makes a good point that these ‘lifestyle’ factors are important, it’s also worth noting that Kia was the overall brand with the highest battery health scores, the Kia EV6 and Kia e-Niro were the models with the highest SoH, and the Kia Sportage and Optima were the plug-in hybrids with the best battery health.
Kia is clearly doing something right.
A healthy used market
A number of studies have now confirmed that EV batteries degrade much more slowly than previously feared.
In fact, research of 8,300 battery health certificates by UK leasing company Arval found an average battery health level of 93%.
Even after 124,000 miles of driving, which would be considered high mileage by any used car dealer, the average remained close to 90%.
Not relying on the fastest charging plugs, not letting the battery run below 10% and only charging to 80% can drastically increase the life of an electric vehicle battery, points that many potential owners need to be educated on.
However, these battery SoH studies can help improve the poor residual values that some electric vehicle models suffer from – especially those from more premium brands.
If consumer confidence is boosted by the fact that an electric car can still deliver a great drive, usable range and maximum charging performance even with thousands of kilometers on the clock, it can help boost used values.
While this isn’t great news for those looking for a used EV purchase, it will increase adoption among new car buyers who are currently on the fence and reduce the general anxiety currently felt in the auto industry as a whole.
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