Electric vehicles have become a popular choice for environmentally conscious consumers looking to reduce their carbon footprint. However, many potential buyers have concerns about factors such as range anxiety, charging anxiety, and the overall cost of purchasing an electric vehicle. One common worry among EV buyers is battery degradation, but recent studies suggest that modern EV batteries can last a long time without significant deterioration.
One EV owner who has put this theory to the test is Tom Moloughney, an EV expert and host of the State of Charge YouTube channel. Three years ago, Tom purchased a 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning and recently decided to retest the battery after driving 38,000 miles. The results of his tests should provide some relief to those worried about battery longevity.
During a 70-mph range test, Tom’s F-150 Lightning with the Extended Range battery achieved a range of 270.3 miles when he first got the vehicle. Three years later, the same test yielded a range of 286.7 miles. Tom attributes this improvement to factors such as worn tires and warmer weather.
In addition to the range test, Tom also conducted charging tests to assess the battery capacity of the Lightning. Initially, it took just over 136 kWh to fully charge the battery. In the most recent test, it took slightly over 135 kWh to achieve a full charge. These results indicate that the battery capacity of the Lightning has remained consistent over the years.
While some capacity loss is expected over time, manufacturers like Ford are incorporating buffers into their batteries to counteract degradation. This means that drivers are unlikely to notice any significant difference in battery performance even after driving a significant number of miles.
In a video discussing his findings, Tom Moloughney expressed confidence in the longevity of electric vehicle batteries. He noted that manufacturers are likely unlocking more capacity in the batteries over time, providing reassurance to consumers that they won’t need to replace their batteries after just a few years.
If you have your own experiences with EV battery longevity, feel free to share them in the comments or reach out via email. As technology continues to improve, the concerns surrounding EV batteries are likely to diminish, making electric vehicles an even more attractive option for environmentally conscious consumers.