Can electric cars last 15 years

EV Lifespan: Do They Last as Long as Gasoline Cars?

Just as gasoline and diesel engines were once new technology and poo-pooed by the horse-driven public, modern battery electric vehicles (EV) are facing the same criticisms. Will electric vehicles be on the road as long as gasoline cars and diesel vehicles? Absolutely, and automakers are already delivering.

Myth Busted: Neither EVs nor Gasoline Cars Are Infallible

Since the first automobile went from production to daily driver to a cube at the junkyard, car and truck lifespan has been increasing. Notwithstanding a few outliers, such as Irv Gordons 3.2-million-mile 1966 Volvo P1800S and Matt Farahs million-mile 1996 Lexus LS400, the increasing life of the typical car is encouraging. In 1977, the average American car was just 5.5 years old. By 1995, it was 8.4 years, and in 2020, the average reached 11.9 years.

That says a lot about todays typical driver expectations and the technical advances implemented to meet them: People want cars that last. EV or gasoline-powered, they expect any car they buy today to be safe, efficient, and reliable years down the road.

Still, where and how any vehicle is driven and maintained has a significant impact on lifespan, regardless of how well an auto might be built. Harsh driving, overloading, corrosion, and neglect will destroy any vehicle before its prime, but well-maintained vehicles are no longer considered worn-out until theyve reached at least 150,000 miles.

No vehicle is infallible but there are some things that tend to give EVs a better shot at a longer lifespan.

EV Key Component Life Expectancy

When youre trying to decide between buying an electric vehicle or a conventional vehicle, there are several shared components to take out of the lifespan comparison. Both types include the following similarities:

• Modern vehicle frame and body construction last the life of the vehicle, depending on environmental factors.
• Electrical systems, such as the radio, navigation system, headlights, taillights, and power windows, generally last upwards of 10 years.
• Steering and suspension components typically last 6 to 10 years.
• Tires generally last 4 or 5 years, depending on driving habits and alignment maintenance.
• Wipers and cabin filters are typically replaced every 6 to 12 months, depending on environmental factors.
• The 12-V battery is also the same, lasting typically 5 to 7 years in typical driving.
• Brake hydraulics and calipers are the same, typically requiring service every other year.

On the other hand, major differences do exist between conventional vehicles and electric vehicles. While modern conventional powertrains, with proper maintenance, are proven to last, electric vehicle batteries and motors arent often given a fair look, mostly because of the expense of critical components like batteries.

Even so, major electric vehicle components are at least as good as their gasoline-chugging counterparts.

Motor

Electric motors typically have a single moving part, in comparison to several hundred parts in an engine. Electric motor maintenance is limited to coolant changes every 100,000 miles. Engines, in addition to coolant, require regular oil changes, air filters, and likely spark plugs in that time. Both motors and engines are proven to last upwards of 20 years.

Transmission

Since electric vehicles usually arent equipped with a transmission, just a single gear reduction, theyre the clear winner in the transmission lifespan comparison. For modern conventional vehicles, manual and automatic transmissions typically last upwards of 15 years, requiring fluid services at least every 100,000 miles.

Battery

Lithium-ion battery packs are expensive, but they last a long time. So far, the typical EV battery has been proven to last about 200,000 miles, nearly 20 years. Tesla is rumored to be developing an EV battery that will last 1,000,000 miles, much longer than the average vehicle, currently 11.9 years. Major EV makers report few battery replacements in the last decade.

Brakes

Brake services offer an interesting comparison. Because electric vehicles use regenerative braking to slow the vehicle, the hydraulic brake system isnt used as much. While conventional vehicle brakes last 25,000 to 65,000 miles, depending on vehicle type and driver habits, hybrid and EV pads and rotors are known to last much longer. Some hybrid and EV owners report their brakes lasting over 100,000 miles.

EV Maintenance Matters!

Electric vehicles simpler powertrains require less service, which actually makes required services more critical. How you drive, charge, and maintain your electric vehicle will play a big part in how long it lasts, just like it does with a gasoline-powered vehicle. There are two key areas to pay attention to.

Cooling System Checks

Cooling system maintenance is important. A combination of active and passive heating and cooling keep the battery pack around 70 F for best lifespan. Pay close attention to cooling system maintenance, such as coolant or air filter replacement.

Battery Charging Practices

Charging practices are critical. While the battery management system (BMS) manages charge rates to protect the battery, you can do your part by charging mainly on Level 2 chargers. You can use Level 3 charging stations on trips, but regular consistent usage of these high-power chargers will impact battery life.

EV Life Expectancy Is at Least Equal to Gas Cars

Given technological advances in both conventional and electric vehicles in the last decade, neither seems to have longevity issues. With responsible driving and maintenance habits, both should last at least a decade, if not much longer.

Government and automaker confidence seems to reflect the desire, if not the reality, of EV longevity. To help encourage confidence in EVs, federal rules now require automakers to cover major components, like the battery and electric motor, for eight years or 100,000 miles, while California extends that to 10 years or 150,000 miles. Some EV automakers even offer a lifetime guarantee, something practically unheard of in conventional vehicle warranties.

If youre shopping for a new vehicle, its good to know you can choose any car that suits you best. Eventually, as pricing and availability become more competitive, its likely that not choosing an electric vehicle will seem like a risky bet.

Electric Cars: Advantages and Concerns Essay

An electric car is a general term that is used to refer to all varieties of highway-capable automobiles, which are propelled by electricity. The source of electricity can either be on-board rechargeable batteries or other electric energy generating and storage device. An electric car that is powered by on-board solar panels is specifically referred to as a solar car. While the one that derives its electricity from a gasoline generator is called a hybrid car. Similarly, cars that derive power from the on-board battery pack are more specifically referred to as battery electric cars/vehicles (BEC/V). In the recent past, the term electric vehicle has been used specifically to refer to lithium-ion battery-powered plugin electric cars.

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Most commercial electric cars are fitted with one or more low power electric motors capable of providing instant torque for better performance. These cars also have a much better acceleration as compared to the conventional gasoline engine cars. Electric cars are also significantly quieter and are environmentally friendly since they dont emit any tailpipe pollutants, as is the case for gasoline cars. These cars are thus considered the future solution to the problems of air pollution and greenhouse gases. Electric-powered vehicles also provide independence from the volatility of oil prices and the occasional gasoline price fluctuations, which occurs as a result of a disruption in the supply of oil from producing countries (Gabe 71).

In terms of energy efficiency, electric vehicles are more efficient than gasoline-powered cars in converting the stored energy to propel the car. Gasoline-powered cars are relatively inefficient at converting on-board-energy and only utilize about 15% of fuel energy to move the car. In addition to their strength in energy efficiency, electric-powered vehicles do not consume energy when not in motion. Most electric cars are also fitted with a regenerative braking system that recaptures for reuse as much as one-fifth of the energy that is used during braking (Kane 52).

However, electric cars have many hurdles to overcome if they are to compete effectively with the internal combustion engine cars. In terms of price, electric cars are astronomically expensive compared to internal combustion engine cars. Batteries alone cost a fortune, and yet their range is limited. Energy experts agree that for electric cars to be economically viable, battery manufacturers must find a way of building units that can last 15 years, improve their storage capacity, and cut the costs by about a factor of four.

No such game-changing breakthroughs have been achieved so far by any of the electric vehicle manufacturers despite huge financial support from the government (Chao 56). The units being sold by Nissan, General Motors, Tesla, and Fisker remain disproportionately expensive. General Motors hybrid electric Chevy Volt, for example, is sold for a staggering $40,000. Nissan Leaf retails at $30,000, yet it is less capable than most car models that are powered by gasoline.

The continuous decline of global oil prices and the subsidization of fossil fuels through tax breaks is another stumbling block that is hindering the widespread adoption of electric cars. Huge government financial assistance and tax waivers are provided to oil exploration and refining companies. This makes gasoline to be relatively economical to use for car owners. And as long as tailpipe emissions have no priced harm, few buyers will be willing to spend a dime on transitioning to electric cars. A survey conducted in 2010 shows that although more than three-quarters of Americans were willing to buy electric cars for the sake of the environment, none was ready to pay more to own the cars (Michael 64).

The cost of maintenance of electric cars is another factor hindering mass transition from internal combustion engine cars. True, electric vehicles have fewer mechanical moving parts to break and therefore require less servicing. However, these cars are incredibly complex machines that require regular maintenance and expensive replacements. Battery charging infrastructure and charging time is another major shortcoming for electric cars. The batteries must be recharged periodically, with each recharging taking several hours. Although fast charging is available as an option, it usually takes at least 30 minutes, which is still a lot of time compared to the time it takes to refill a fuel tank.

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There are also serious concerns over safety issues and the risk of fire associated with the use of lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are highly vulnerable and are easily prone to thermal runaway if they are overcharged (Jim 40). The batteries can also rapture and in extreme cases, even explode when overheated. In fact, several fire incidents involving electric cars have been reported since the start of commercial production of plugin electric cars in 2008. Incidentally, most of these high-level fire accidents are almost entirely related to thermal runaway of lithium-ion battery packs.

Clearly, the future of electric cars doesnt look promising, considering that the governments financial support and funding are unlikely to increase. Things are also likely to get tougher for traditional electric car companies following the introduction of Googles hugely successful self-driving cars (Smith 79). Googles vehicles are expected to be more affordable and will liberate the cars from its driver. But as the experts have observed, the improvement of the battery performance range, charging time, and storage capacity will be the key to unlocking the full benefits and economic viability of electric cars.

Works Cited

Chao, Philippe. Electric Car Industry in the Slow Lane. New York: McGraw-Hill Press Publishers, 2010. Print.

Gabe, Muler. Energy Efficiency of Electric Cars. London: Foundation Press Publishers, 2011. Print.

Jim, Witkin. Building Better Batteries for Electric Cars. New York: Witkin Press Publishers, 2013. Print.

Kane, Laurent. Understanding the Electric Vehicle Landscape. Washington: McMillan press Publishers, 2013. Print.

Michael, Westbrook. The Electric and Hybrid Electric car. London: Mechanical Engineers Press Publishers, 2013. Print.

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Smith, David. Electric Cars: The Sound of Silence. San Francisco: Auto-Mobile Discovery Publishers, 2012. Print.