How Long Will EV Batteries Last? There’s a Tool to Answer That

The used electric vehicle market is growing, but a major obstacle remains: battery health. Accurately assessing battery health in used EVs is challenging.

Generational, a U.K. startup, has developed a unique solution. The company’s battery health assessment tool provides clear, concise reports of a used EV's battery condition.

Generational’s battery assessment tool. Image used courtesy of Generational

The Truth About EV Batteries

An EV’s remaining battery life is a huge concern. Low battery life will increase charging time, decrease driving range, and reduce performance. Currently, EV dealers in the United States cover battery degradation for up to 8-10 years or up to 150,000 miles to cover the cost if significant battery life degradation occurs under the warranty. However, when the EV falls out of warranty, the cost can be high to replace, with some estimated repairs of up to $20,000.

So, What Exactly Will The Battery Health Assessment Do?

Generational's tool addresses a critical need in the used EV market. Many dealerships hesitate to stock used EVs because assessing battery health is difficult. Generational simplifies this process. Dealership staff can use a small device that plugs into the car's onboard diagnostics port. The device analyzes data and produces a clear battery health percentage for the user. This percentage is compared to manufacturer data about a new battery.

The tool also estimates real-world driving range, drawing from Generational's expanding database of EV battery health. Dealers can then provide buyers with easy-to-understand certificates, which can build trust and help close deals on used vehicles faster.

Carbase has recently seen a 300% jump in views of their used EV listings since adopting Generational's technology, and their COO, Alex Jones, praised the integration and the valuable insights the tool provides. He noted that the tool has not only increased driver confidence but also improved internal decision-making for retail and wholesale EV transactions.

Battery Assessment Advantages

Generational's technology offers several advantages. The battery health assessment tool is quick and easy to use, requiring minimal training. The results are presented in a clear, concise format, building trust with potential buyers. This tool will also allow dealerships to price their EVs more accurately based on real-time data from the vehicle, which can help dealers improve stock turnover.

The battery assessment tool provides an accurate assessment of the vehicle's battery health. Image used courtesy of Generational

The battery health assessment tool can reduce the perceived risk in a used EV’s driving range. Generational CEO Oliver Phillpott stated the importance of simple, transparent information in building confidence in the used EV market. He said that this technology is essential for the long-term sustainability of the used EV sector.

Continued Development

Generational will continue to expand its database by developing tools for leasing companies to help predict the residual value of EVs based on battery health. These predictions are useful for EV fleet management.

Generational's battery health assessment tool will significantly impact the used EV market in the coming years. It addresses key challenges by providing clear, accurate information about battery conditions.