A Geotab study analyzed 22,700 electric vehicles and found that frequent fast charging increases battery degradation to up to 3% per year. Despite this, battery life remains long, with capacity preserved between 80% and 85% after eight years. Factors like climate and usage habits influence wear.
Concerns about electric car battery durability grow as the market expands, and a recent Geotab study, from the North American fleet management company, provides valuable insights. Analyzing data from 22,700 vehicles of various brands and models in 2025, the report recorded an average annual degradation of 2.3% in accumulators. This rate is higher than 2024's 1.8%, attributed to the increased availability of DC (direct current) chargers.
Fast charges above 100 kW were identified as the main factor accelerating wear, reaching up to 3% per year in vehicles with frequent use of this option. In contrast, AC (alternating current) plug charges resulted in about 1.5% capacity loss. "Our latest data indicate that durability still exceeds the replacement cycles normally planned for fleets. The main change, however, is that charging habits now directly impact degradation rates, opening space to reduce long-term risks with smarter strategies," states Charlotte Argue, senior manager of sustainable mobility at Geotab.
Climate also affects longevity: in hot regions, degradation is 0.4 percentage points higher than in mild temperature areas. Additionally, keeping the battery near 100% or minimum for long periods increases wear. Considering a typical eight-year warranty, batteries should retain 80% to 85% of their original capacity. For example, a 2025 car with 400 km range would still travel about 320 km in 2032. "Battery integrity remains high even with advances in fast charging and greater vehicle usage intensity," concludes Argue.
The study reinforces that, despite challenges, electric accumulators show robustness beyond initial expectations, encouraging more conscious charging practices to maximize lifespan.