Analysis reveals best and worst electric vehicles for battery degradation

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV suffers the worst battery degradation, research suggests

Analysis reveals best and worst electric vehicles for battery degradation

Data analysis of the most popular electric and plug-in hybrid cars claims to have revealed which are most likely to suffer from battery degradation during their lifetime.

Researchers analysed 64 models released between 2012 and 2019.

The data, collected by telematics firm Geotab and presented by Select Car Leasing, found the Chevrolet Bolt – not available in the UK – to be the best performing EV, followed by the Audi A3 e-Tron.

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The Tesla Model 3, X and S also feature in the top ten list, with minimal battery degradation during the course of one year.

It was the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, the UK’s best-selling plug-in vehicle that was found to suffer the worst battery degradation at four per cent.

It was followed by the Kia Niro PHEV, which suffered a 3.5 per cent degradation in a year.

Putting the findings into context, Select Car Leasing also analysed the degradation rate of older electric vehicles against newer ones.

It found the Nissan Leaf to lose up to 20 per cent of its battery capacity within seven years and suffered a three per cent degradation in the first year.

Leafs built in 2015 were the worst performing, losing six per cent capacity in the first year.

Related: Volkswagen launches first all-electric Transporter

The 2017 Nissan Leaf was found to be down five per cent in year three, while the 2019 model saw a loss of just one per cent performance in the first year.

A Select Car Leasing spokesperson said: “Overall, since the early days of electric cars, there has been a marked improvement in the ability of EV batteries to resist degradation.

“Although the evidence shows that car batteries continue to increase in quality, it’s still important that you practice some safety tips to keep your battery performing at its peak efficiency for as long as possible, especially if you buy a used car.”

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