A new study published in Nature reveals that electric vehicles (EV’s) are now lasting as long as, or even outpacing, traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles in terms of longevity. The findings challenge earlier concerns about EV durability and suggest that advancements in battery technology and vehicle engineering are significantly enhancing their lifespan.
Study Findings: EV’s Closing the Longevity Gap
The research, conducted by a global team from institutions including the London School of Economics and the University of Birmingham, analysed more then 300 million MOT results, from battery-electric, petrol and diesel vehicles in Great Britain.
After excluding vehicles that within the first few years were scrapped —typically due to accidents rather than mechanical issues—the study found that:
- EV’s have an average lifespan of 18.4 years, while petrol cars last around 18.7 years and diesel vehicles average 16.8 years.
- EV’s travel more miles on average, logging around 124,207 miles over their lifetime, while petrol cars typically cover 116,000 miles in a similar period.
One of the most promising takeaways is the rapid pace of EV technological developments. The study found that newer EV models show a 12% reduction in failure rates compared to models produced just a year earlier, a faster improvement rate than petrol (6.7%) and diesel (1.9%) vehicles.
A Positive Outlook for the Used EV Market
The findings could be a significant boost for the UK’s growing second-hand EV market, which has seen a surge in demand. Recent data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) highlights a 52.6% rise in used EV sales in Q2 2024, following a 71% increase in Q1. While EV’s still represent a small portion of the overall used vehicle market, currently at 2.4%, their rising longevity and declining maintenance costs are likely to further accelerate adoption.
As battery technology continues to evolve and charging infrastructure expands, the long-term viability of EV’s is becoming clearer. With lifespans now matching or exceeding petrol and diesel models, EV’s are proving to be a more sustainable and cost-effective choice for consumers and businesses alike.
