These efforts are about to be given a big boost. Recent breakthroughs in recycling, together with a spate of technological improvements, mean that within a decade or so most of the global demand for raw materials to build new batteries could be met by recycling old ones.

In 2024, we performed a new analysis and the results indicate that EV batteries have improved significantly, degrading at 1.8 percent per year on average,” said the firm in t

Research shows how long electric vehicle batteries last, and how much they degrade.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are transforming the transportation landscape, but one major challenge remains: battery lifespan. Over time, EV batteries degrade, necessitating costly and environmentally damaging replacements.

Among the many myths surrounding EVs is that, given the cost of the battery, the car will need throwing away after a few years, when the battery fails. This misconception was among the first to be addressed in the ‘Little Book of EV Myths’ published earlier this year by FairCharge.