How Electric Car Batteries Age After 10 Years and What Comes Next

EV batteries lose about 1.8% capacity per year. Discover what happens after 10 years, replacement options, and second-life or recycling uses.

As the electric vehicle industry matures, battery longevity has become a key concern. With more EVs crossing the 10-year mark, many drivers are starting to ask: what really happens to the battery after a decade on the road?

According to research by Geotab, modern lithium-ion EV batteries degrade at an average rate of 1.8% per year. That means after 10 years, a typical battery retains around 80% of its original capacity. For everyday urban driving, this is usually enough — but for long-distance travel or intensive use, the drop in range can become noticeable.

Still, 10 years isn't necessarily the end of the line. Some manufacturers estimate battery lifespans of 15 to 20 years, especially when vehicles are operated in temperate climates and not subjected to frequent fast charging. High temperatures and deep discharge cycles, on the other hand, can accelerate wear.

After a decade or more, many EV batteries either continue to function — albeit with reduced range — or enter a second life. Increasingly, they are being repurposed for stationary energy storage in homes, businesses, or solar farms. Projects by Nissan and Jaguar Land Rover, for example, now incorporate used EV batteries into large-scale energy storage systems.

When batteries are no longer usable, they enter the recycling stream. According to Time and Fraunhofer ISI, modern technologies can recover up to 95% of valuable materials like lithium, nickel, and cobalt. In the EU, recycling is not optional — legislation mandates that manufacturers are responsible for end-of-life battery disposal.

If a battery does fail, replacement is possible, though not cheap. Depending on the model and size, a new battery can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $16,000. However, full replacements are relatively rare: studies show that fewer than 2.5% of EV owners need an out-of-warranty battery swap.

Experts say battery life can be extended by avoiding frequent fast charging, minimizing overheating, and maintaining charge levels between 20–80%. Taken together, these practices make EVs not just eco-friendly, but surprisingly durable over time.

With rapid advancements in battery recycling and reuse, the future looks promising. Costs are expected to fall, and second-life applications will likely expand — turning electric cars into not just vehicles, but components of an increasingly circular and efficient energy system.