Molly Ayala
When considering the purchase of a used electric vehicle (EV), it is important to understand the impact of mileage on its overall condition and performance. While electric vehicles are known for their reduced maintenance requirements compared to traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, mileage can still provide valuable insights into the health and longevity of the car. In this regard, the question arises: does mileage matter on electric vehicles, and if so, how does it compare to the well-known considerations when buying a used ICE car?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mileage impact on battery life | Mileage can impact battery life and the car's ability to charge and reach its full range claim. |
| Battery reconditioning | There is battery reconditioning for hybrids, which may also apply to EVs. It is a deep-cycle charge process that restores battery capacity. |
| Battery degradation | A general agreement is that an EV battery pack loses about 2% to 3% of its charging capacity yearly. |
| Battery warranty | Most brands will warrant the high-voltage electric battery for eight years or 100,000 miles, with some exceptions. |
| Battery health | High mileage may be a warning sign of poor battery health due to frequent fast charging. |
| Mileage impact on wear and tear | Mileage indicates wear and tear. However, EVs have fewer moving parts than vehicles with internal combustion engines, so mileage may matter less for EVs in terms of wear and tear. |
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What You'll Learn
- Mileage impacts battery life, which affects the car's ability to charge and reach its full range
- Battery health is key, with frequent fast charging being worse than slow home charging
- EVs have fewer moving parts than ICE vehicles, so less wear and tear
- Mileage impacts the wear and tear of common components like brakes, suspension, and tires
- The age of the car is also important, with a degradation of around 10% likely after 7-10 years
Mileage impacts battery life, which affects the car's ability to charge and reach its full range
While electric vehicles (EVs) have fewer moving parts than traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, mileage still impacts their battery life. This is because the battery is the primary contributor to a used EV's value.
EVs with higher mileage will likely have degraded batteries, which can affect the car's ability to charge and reach its full range. This is because the battery pack loses efficiency over time, and the number of charging cycles and time are more detrimental to an EV battery's lifespan than mileage. Frequent use of fast charging stations also accelerates battery degradation. As a result, a high-mileage EV may have shorter ranges between charges and slower charging times.
However, the impact of mileage on battery life and overall vehicle performance depends on the battery technology and design. For example, some batteries may retain 70-90% of their original capacity over 7-10 years, while others may lose 2-3% of their charging capacity annually.
When considering the purchase of a used EV, it is essential to focus on battery health and consider the warranty periods. While mileage is a factor, other aspects, such as the type of charging (DC vs. AC) and overall condition of the battery, also play a role in determining battery life and performance.
In summary, while mileage may impact battery life and, consequently, the car's ability to charge and reach its full range, other factors specific to the EV and its usage should also be taken into account.
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Battery health is key, with frequent fast charging being worse than slow home charging
While mileage does matter for electric vehicles, it is not as significant as it is for traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. This is because electric vehicles have fewer moving parts and, therefore, less potential for mechanical wear and tear.
However, the health of the battery is crucial when it comes to electric vehicles. The battery's capacity decreases over time, and frequent fast charging accelerates this degradation. Fast charging stations, such as Level 3 DC stations or Tesla Superchargers, have been shown to hasten battery degradation more than slow home charging. This is because the charging cycles and time are more detrimental to an EV battery's lifespan than mileage.
When considering the purchase of a used electric vehicle, it is recommended to prioritize battery health and charging history over mileage. A vehicle with high mileage may have undergone more fast charging, which could have negatively impacted the battery's health. On the other hand, a lower-mileage vehicle that has been frequently fast-charged may be more undesirable than a higher-mileage vehicle that has been primarily charged at home.
While electric vehicles do not require the same maintenance for their engines as ICE vehicles, it is important to note that other components, such as tires, brakes, suspension, and fluids, still require regular maintenance. Additionally, the battery's capacity is essential for the vehicle's ability to charge and reach its full range. Most brands offer a warranty for the high-voltage electric battery, typically guaranteeing that the battery will retain at least 70% of its capacity for a certain period or mileage.
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EVs have fewer moving parts than ICE vehicles, so less wear and tear
While mileage does matter for electric vehicles (EVs), it is not as significant as it is for vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE). This is because EVs have fewer moving parts than ICE vehicles, resulting in less wear and tear.
An EV's drivetrain is much simpler than that of an ICE vehicle, with only 20 to 25 moving parts on average. In contrast, an ICE vehicle's engine and drivetrain contain 200 to over 2,000 moving parts. The ICE engine includes pistons, valves, camshafts, crankshafts, and connecting rods, while the transmission system adds even more moving parts with its gears, clutches, and synchronizers.
On the other hand, the only moving parts in an EV that generate propulsion are those involved with the electric motor and a single-speed transmission. This simplicity reduces mechanical interactions and results in less wear on the components over time. As a result, EVs require less maintenance and have lower long-term ownership costs.
However, it is important to note that mileage can still impact certain components in an EV, such as the battery, brakes, suspension, and tires. The battery, in particular, loses efficiency over time, with a general agreement that an EV battery pack loses about 2% to 3% of its charging capacity yearly. Therefore, while EVs have fewer moving parts and less wear and tear overall, mileage can still be a factor in certain aspects of the vehicle's performance and longevity.
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Mileage impacts the wear and tear of common components like brakes, suspension, and tires
While electric vehicles (EVs) have fewer moving parts than vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE), they still have common components such as brakes, suspension, and tires that are subject to wear and tear.
Mileage does impact the wear and tear of these components, and regular maintenance is required. For example, EVs use regenerative braking, which can extend the life of brake components and reduce maintenance costs. However, it is still important to have the brakes inspected regularly, as issues with the brakes can put your safety at risk. Similarly, suspension issues can cause problems with regenerative braking, so it is important to ensure that the suspension system is well-maintained.
Tires for EVs tend to be more expensive than those for diesel or gasoline-fueled cars because they support more weight and must endure more torque. When buying a used EV, it is important to pay attention to the tread life remaining on the tires.
While the high mileage on an EV may not be as much of a cause for concern as it would be on an ICE vehicle, it can still impact the value of the car. The primary contributor to a used EV's value is its battery, and mileage can impact battery life. The battery pack loses efficiency over time, and while charging cycles and time are more detrimental to battery lifespan than mileage, high mileage can still contribute to battery degradation.
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The age of the car is also important, with a degradation of around 10% likely after 7-10 years
When it comes to electric vehicles (EVs), the general consensus is that mileage does matter, albeit to a lesser extent than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. This is primarily because EVs have fewer moving parts and require less maintenance, so higher mileage may not impact their performance as significantly as ICE vehicles.
However, the age of the car is also a crucial factor in determining its condition and value. According to experts, an electric car's battery pack is expected to lose about 2% to 3% of its charging capacity annually. This means that after 7-10 years, the battery is likely to have degraded by around 10%, depending on its mileage and overall condition. This degradation can result in slower charging times and reduced range between charges.
The impact of age on battery health is supported by various sources, including a spokesperson from mycar, who stated that while mileage matters, the overall impact on an EV's value lies in its battery health. They explained that after 7-10 years, some degradation is expected, and this aligns with standard battery warranties offered by manufacturers, which typically guarantee the battery will retain at least 70% of its capacity for this duration.
Additionally, the type of charging used can also affect battery degradation. Fast charging, especially at DC public charging stations, is believed to be more detrimental to battery health than slow home charging. Therefore, when considering a used EV, it is not just the age and mileage that are important, but also the charging history and overall battery condition.
In summary, while mileage does play a role in the overall condition of an EV, the age of the car and the resulting battery degradation are more significant factors. A well-maintained EV with regular slow charging can retain most of its battery capacity even after several years, making age a more critical consideration than mileage when purchasing a used electric vehicle.
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Frequently asked questions
Mileage does matter on electric vehicles, but perhaps less than it does for vehicles with gasoline-fueled internal combustion engines (ICE). This is because electric vehicles have fewer moving parts, so there is less wear and tear. However, mileage can still impact battery life and the overall condition of the car.
The number of miles on an electric vehicle can impact its battery life, which in turn affects the car's ability to charge and reach its full range. A spokesperson from mycar stated that "depending on the battery technology, for the first 7-10 years, it's unlikely you'll see much degradation of the battery pack life". After this period, a degradation of around 10% is likely, depending on the mileage and overall condition of the battery.
Yes, the frequency of using Level 3 DC fast charging stations or Tesla Superchargers can also contribute to battery degradation. Additionally, ambient temperature can significantly impact the range of an electric vehicle.
When purchasing a used electric vehicle, it is important to consider the overall condition and maintenance of shared components with ICE cars, such as tyres, brakes, suspension, and fluids. It is also recommended to pay attention to the tread life remaining on the tyres, as they tend to be more expensive on electric vehicles.
