Although technology has advanced a lot around Electric Vehicles, they still have a major drawback that must people seem unable to see past, and that is battery life. These continue to be slow to charge, not long lasting enough and they need to be changed out for an exorbitant price every few years, making many unwilling to adopt the new tech. But a new study from Arval, has proven that the situation is not as dire as people think.
Since they have become the first leasing company offer a battery health certificate for Electric Vehicles sold in the secondhand market, it stands to reason that they would like to find out if their warranties are effective or if they would be losing money. After all, many people are not purchasing new Electric Vehicles because of a lack of funds, but they are also not purchasing them second hand because they do not believe that the batteries will last.
The results of the Arval Electric Vehicle battery analysis
The study was quite comprehensive, involving 8,300 battery health certificates for used Electric Vehicles from 30 different brands, sold by Arval between March 2023 and November 2024 across eight European countries. This would account for the differences in terrain, use type and weather conditions, all of which can affect battery life. Contrary to popular belief, the results were not as bad as many people expect.
Although we all know that taking care of your battery significantly increases its lifespan, Arval did not choose vehicles that had been cared for in a particular manner, which means the average results they came up with are quite good. And if after reading them you are still skeptical, member that they would only certify batteries that are in good enough condition, so the results of this study would apply even more to your purchasing or leasing journey if you do it through Arval.
First, let us state the unavoidable fact. Battery health represents 20% to 30% of the cost of an Electric Vehicle at purchase and changing the battery can cost as much as an entire used car, which is what puts off most buyers that are unsure. But battery degradation is not as big a problem as many people seem to think.
- Of the 8,300 electric vehicles tested, the average battery health was 93%, with 100% being the theoretical health status when the vehicle is first put on the road.
- The vast majority (98%) of the measured health statuses are above 80%.
- After traveling 70,000 kilometers, the average battery state of health of an Electric Vehicle is 93%.
- Beyond 200,000 kilometers, the health status remains close to 90% on average.
Bart Beckers, Chief Commercial Officer of Arval advocates for transparency in this new industry, as he believes that with adequate testing, consumers would feel a lot more comfortable making the switch, especially if they could trust companies to be accurate and not sell them a car with a battery that needs to be replaced. “This analysis, along with the issuance of Electric Vehicle battery state of health certificates, fully illustrates Arval’s expertise and commitment to accelerating the energy transition. By providing concrete insights, they help remove barriers and change perceptions that can hinder the resale of Electric Vehicles. Transparency is essential to build consumer trust and stimulate a still-developing used market.”
Whether or not this analysis will change the minds of consumers remains to be seen. The problems with the industry go far beyond battery lifespan, but it is a good place to start when it comes to the secondhand market of Electric Vehicles. Once the industry manages to overcome these challenges, companies like Arval will have an easier job convincing consumers of the lack of risk of purchasing a second hand Electric Vehicle.