COTW: EV Performance Improving

The chart shows that the median range of electrical vehicles has almost quadrupled in the space of a decade.  Electric vehicles are still expensive despite government tax credits for their purchase. Gas powered cars will still be around in 2050, as people hold on to their conventional cars longer. The average age of light vehicles is now 12.5 years, an all-time high.  There is an argument that running your gas-powered car longer will reduce the impact of mining for battery components, and pollution from manufacturing new EVs, as well as allowing time for the industry to mature.  California, the state with the most vehicles, has banned their sale after 2035. EVs can be expected to last 15 to twenty years; most new ones come with an eight year or 100,000 mile (federal minimum) manufacturer's warranty,  

Ion batteries degrade over time, becoming less efficient and powerful; it is an unavoidable fact of battery chemistry.  Studies based on Nissan's Leaf and Telsa S, which have been on the road for a decade have shown that vehicle batteries are holding up well.  Renault-Nissan Energy Services estimated in 2019 its Leaf batteries could last as long and twenty-two years. There have been two recalls for battery replacement in only two models, Chevrolet Bolt and Hyundai Kona.  This chart shows reported battery replacement by 15,000 owners:

credit: Recurrent

If you are considering buying an EV, you may be doing so partially based on environmental concerns.  One question to ask is, what is your prospective manufacturer doing with used batteries?  A ion battery may be too weak to power a vehicle, but can still hold enough electric charge to do other work.  Nissan estimates that a twenty-year old cell could store 40% of its original energy capacity.  Plans are still being made by manufacturers for reusing a massive amount of discarded batteries as EV fleets age.  These batteries contain toxic materials as well as reusable materials and should not be disposed of carelessly, if EVs are to maintain their clean and sustainable energy reputation.