A fresh analysis of real-world electric-car performance suggests most drivers worry far more about battery aging than they need to.
A fresh analysis of real-world electric-car performance suggests most drivers worry far more about battery aging than they need to.
But while nearly all modern EVs hold up well over time, some brands appear to manage range loss more gracefully than others.
Battery degradation is unavoidable in any electric vehicle, yet the drop-off in real-world range is typically far smaller than anxious shoppers assume. Automakers also build in buffers and adjust software over time, which helps keep the driving experience stable even as the battery ages.
Recurrent — a firm that tracks how EVs perform out on the road — compared 14 major brands using telematics data from hundreds or thousands of vehicles per marque. The company looked not at EPA estimates, but at the actual range customers recorded when the cars were new.
That approach offers a clearer picture of what owners truly experience rather than what appears on a sticker.
Recurrent’s ranking shows that Cadillac, Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz lead the pack, retaining the highest share of their original real-world range. Tesla performed strongly as well, hanging on to more than 96% of its initial range after three years.
Volkswagen, BMW and Jaguar saw greater declines, but even those brands remained above 90% retention — still a comfortable result for most owners.
Liz Najman, Recurrent’s director of market insights, noted that reported “zero range loss” in some models does not mean the battery isn’t aging. Manufacturers can release additional portions of the battery buffer or refine software settings so drivers continue to see consistent range figures.
Automaker strategy plays a significant role. Heat management, charging behavior, and efficiency optimization all shape how a battery fares over time. Differences across lineups also matter: Chevrolet’s performance, for example, may be weighed down by the older Bolt platform, while Cadillac’s newer EVs use GM’s latest technology.
Similarly, Jaguar’s I-Pace dates back to 2018, well before many of today’s advances. BMW’s results may reflect its early-generation i3, sold between 2014 and 2022, rather than newer models.
These factors highlight that the rankings are not simply a purity test of battery quality but a snapshot of how diverse portfolios evolve.
One consistent pattern Recurrent emphasizes is that EVs lose range faster in early years, then settle into a slow, predictable decline. For most drivers, the initial dip represents the bulk of the long-term reduction.
And despite the degradation, early range often remains surprisingly strong. “We found that most EVs actually exceed their EPA rating for the first year or two at least that they’re on the road,” Najman said. “So even though the batteries are aging, and even though the car is getting older, the range really should stay at or above the EPA range for several years, which should be a very wonderful surprise and a great driving experience for a lot of people.”
The key takeaway is reassurance. While differences exist among brands, the measured declines remain small across the board. Modern EVs appear to offer more longevity — and more consistency — than early skepticism suggested.
For anyone shopping second-hand or wondering how range will hold up, Recurrent’s data offers a clear message: battery aging is real, but rarely a deal-breaker.
Source: Insideevs, Recurrent
This article is made and published by Asger Risom, who may have used AI in the preparation
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