Do electric batteries in hybrid and electric batteries expire? If they do. Is there anything anywhere on the vehicles and battery that tells you that when you buy a vehicle that has a battery for a electric vehicle or hybrid?
Of course batteries degrade over time and will ultimately die completely. That's entropy for you.
They are typically rated for 10 years of service. I've read reports people who have 10 year old EV's that are still going strong. Degradation will happen but it doesn't necessarily mean the car is useless.
The following is based on personal experience with hybrid batteries, and constantly reading forums about hybrid batteries, and EV batteries.
Batteries degrade over time, with a combination of use, charging, and environment.
Constant rapid super charging will kill your battery faster. Slow charging will help your battery last longer.
Super hot weather will kill your battery faster. Super cold weather will kill your battery too. Moderate to cool weather is good battery life.
Using your car too much will kill the battery faster. Using it too little will kill the battery faster. Use it just right and it will last longer.
Heat is the enemy of batteries. It notice in hybrid battery backs that are stacked side by side, the middle modules are the ones that give out first. Probably because there is more heat in the center than in the sides. It seems like the modules on the ends have the best battery life. Probably because heat can escape on the sides.
I think the word “expire” is a bit misleading when talking about EV and hybrid batteries. From what I've seen, most packs don’t suddenly die; they just degrade over time depending on heat, charging habits, and mileage. The battery management systems in modern EVs seem to do a decent job of slowing that process, too.
Still, once you get high enough mileage, range loss becomes noticeable, and that’s where EV battery replacement starts to become a real consideration rather than just theory. I’ve noticed hybrids often hold up differently since they cycle the battery more frequently but in smaller bursts. It really seems like usage pattern matters as much as chemistry.
At what mileage are people actually seeing a significant capacity drop in real-world driving?
@ev_mark You are responding to a post that was made nearly 4 years ago, whose author has not been active here since that time. Please check the date before responding and avoid resurrecting old, dead topics. Thank you.