Electric vehicles

NPR - In the early days of modern electric vehicles, drivers worried that EVs would require expensive battery replacements within a few years. Everyone knows the painful reality of a dying smartphone battery. EV batteries were designed to last longer than smaller, cheaper batteries. Even though batteries come with warranties, the warranties often expire before the car does. If a high-voltage battery fails halfway through a car's life, drivers must replace it, facing a price tag of $5,000 to $20,000. But there's good news. As the EV fleet ages on the road, new data gathered from tens of thousands of vehicles clearly shows that these batteries are lasting longer than anyone expected.

Electric vehicle battery tests underestimated their lifespan because real-world driving is gentler. Unlike testing, driving involves stops and starts. Each start draws the battery’s energy down a bit, while each stop allows a slight recharge.

.... EV owners can extend battery life by parking their vehicles in the shade and reducing fast charging. Fast charging is the biggest stressor that can lead to faster-than-usual degradation.