Nobody knows the average lifespan of an EV, because they haven't been around long enough to tell. The first EV produced in any significant volume (Tesla Model S) was launched in 2012, while the first true mass-market EVs (Chevy Bolt and Tesla Model 3) have only been around since 2017.

However, there are some strong indicators that EVs could last much longer than typical gas-powered cars. An early EV transit company called Tesloop ran most of their fleet well past 300,000 miles, with some models approaching a half-million miles.

Battery health is the biggest open question because the battery is the most expensive part to repair. Nobody disputes that EV batteries will lose range over time, but it's a question of how much and how fast. Federal law provides a solid backstop, requiring a full 8-year, 100,000-mile warranty on all EV battery packs (it's 10/150,000 in California). Technically that warranty only protects against total battery failure, though a bunch of automakers guarantee at least 70% of the original driving range as part of that warranty. Some even throw in coverage over longer distances.

Real-world data on battery longevity looks pretty good so far. Tesla claims an average 12% range loss after 200,000 miles. Another analysis suggests that it's about a 1% range loss per year. So a 250-mile Tesla Model Y Long Range would travel more like 225 miles after 150,000 miles of driving, or a decade on the road, give or take.

There have been a few big battery-related fiascos. In 2022, GM recalled every Chevy Bolt and Bolt EUV ever made due to the risk of spontaneous combustion, for example. Jaguar and Hyundai issued similar recalls as well. But in general, the tech is proving to be as safe or safer than gas-powered vehicles, and plenty long-lasting, too.