Passenger electric vehicles are poised to become the dominant form of transportation. Their popularity has exploded in recent years thanks to increased model availability, improved range, and lower costs. EVs are an essential technology to decarbonize road transport, which is responsible for over 15 percent of global energy-related emissions.
EVs have 90% fewer moving parts than traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. ICE engines have hundreds of complex moving components, with tight tolerances that must work together to keep the car running and driving smoothly.
Exploring the Benefits of Electric Vehicle Ownership
The time that batteries spend in an EV is just the beginning of their useful life. Once removed from the car, they can be used as energy storage for the electricity grid or in the home — a growing area of demand. And when they’re ready to retire, most EV batteries can be recycled to extract valuable materials like cobalt and lithium salts, stainless steel, copper, and aluminum.
A recharging station — also known as a fast charger — can get your battery back to 80 percent in as little as 30 minutes. However, frequent use of this type of station can significantly shorten the battery’s life. To extend your EV’s range, limit the use of DC fast charging to occasional scenarios such as road trips.
While the regenerative braking system of your EV will help extend your battery’s lifespan, the average EV battery will experience a five to 10-percent degradation over its lifetime. If your battery starts to show signs of degradation, take it in for servicing and replacement. Fortunately, most batteries are covered by a warranty that covers the battery’s full service life.