Electric Vehicles with the Best Warranty Coverage

Best Electric VehicleWarranties

A distinctive, sculpted exterior makes the 2024 Kia EV6 hard to miss and its roomy, ultra-modern interior makes it even harder to resist. But its driving dynamics, from neck-snapping acceleration to agile handling, seal the deal. The EV6 is a small five-seat electric crossover that ought to be on most every shopping list.

Sales have slumped a bit since its 2022 introduction, though, thanks to changed federal tax credit rules and Kias unwillingness to adjust prices accordingly. Tesla has cut the price several times on its competing Model 3.

The EV6 shares a lot with its corporate cousins and platform-mates, Hyundais more ute-like Ioniq 5 and Genesis luxurious GV60, but it has distinctive looks and enthusiast-oriented ride, handling, and performance, as well as a 576-horsepower GT trim that provides world-class performance at a lower cost than many rivals.

To help boost sales, Kia brought back the standard-range Light trim this spring, and for 2024 it introduced two longer-range versions of that base model.

The EV6 competes in a fast-growing segment of small electric crossovers. The standard trims vie for attention with the likes of the Audi Q4 e-tron, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Nissan Ariya, Subaru Solterra, Tesla Model Y, Toyota bZ4X, Volkswagen ID.4, and even the platform-sharing Hyundai Ioniq 5. In every match-up, the EV6 standard trims have the features, looks, handling, and driving range to be tough competitors. The upcoming Honda Prologue and Chevrolet Blazer EV will add to the pressure but arent likely to outshine the EV6.

It takes high-priced, high-performance EVs such as the Polestar 2 Performance, BMW i4 M50 sedan, Model Y Performance, and Mach-E GT and GT Performance to compete on power and price with the EV6 GT, which is gutsy enough to hold its own against even much more expensive models such as the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT.

With no significant changes beyond the addition of long-range Light trims, theres little reason to think that the characteristics that make the EV6 so delightful will decline in the new model year.

Evaluating Electric Vehicle Warranties

They afford peace of mind knowing youre covered if something goes wrong, but pay attention to the fine print.

One of the benefits of buying a brand new electric vehicle is getting a warranty from the manufacturer that covers the cost of any necessary repairs because of component failure for a set period. Warranty coverage is typically expressed as extending for a set number of years or miles from the original purchase date (for example, 3 years/36,000 miles), whichever comes first.

Warranty terms can vary significantly from one brand to another. Longer coverage is always better, especially if youre in the market for a recent vintage used electric vehicle like those listed here on MYEV.com. Thats because all or part of the remaining time/miles on a vehicles warranty coverage usually extends to a second owner, albeit with certain restrictions.

What's Covered

Like other vehicle types, an EVs warranty coverage is broken down into two major components, comprehensive and powertrain coverage. Comprehensive (full) coverage applies to parts and labor costs for covered repairs. Powertrain coverage is usually in effect for a longer period and applies specifically to major mechanical components like the electric motor and transmission. Not typically covered is scheduled maintenance service, wear-and-tear items like brake linings and windshield wiper blades, and failure caused by abuse or improper maintenance.

Importantly, federal regulations mandate that an EVs battery pack, arguably its most costly component, be covered for at least eight years or 100,000 miles. For its part, Hyundai extends this to lifetime coverage on the new-for-2019 Kona Electric.

Automakers warranties also include specific coverage against corrosion. However, this applies to body panels that have been completely rusted through, and not to mere paint bubbling. In addition, many manufacturers include roadside assistance programs with value-added features that rival the benefits of auto-club memberships.

The Fine Print

Be aware, however, that every new-vehicle warranty contains exceptions and exclusions. For example, some automakers only cover an EVs battery pack against total failure, while others, including BMW, Chevrolet, Nissan, Tesla (Model 3) and Volkswagen will replace it if it reaches a specified reduced capacity percentage, usually 60-70%, while under warranty.

Some brands will transfer whatever remains of the original warranty to a second owner, while others may impose limitations on this. For example, the 10-year powertrain warranty on Hyundai, and Kia models applies only to the original buyer, with a subsequent owner receiving whatever remains of five years coverage from the date on which it was originally sold.

Also, select components, most notably tires and dealer-installed accessories, can have separate warranties backed by the original-equipment manufacturers, and come with their own exclusions.

Be sure to check the fine print at the dealership or via the manufacturers website (usually under an owners tab) to get the full story on any model youre considering.

Comparing Coverage

Heres an overview of the warranty coverage included with 2019 model-year electric vehicles:

By The Numbers: Comparing Electric Car Warranties

One of the biggest benefits about buying a new car, truck, or SUV of any kind, is the peace-of-mind that comes with getting a warranty from the manufacturer that covers the cost of necessary repairs for the first years of ownership. Warranty terms can vary significantly from one brand to another, with longer coverage, needless to say, always better. Its typically expressed as extending for a set number of years or miles from the original purchase date (for example, 3 years/36,000 miles), whichever comes first.

As with all vehicles, an electric cars warranty includes comprehensive and powertrain coverage. Comprehensive (full) coverage applies to parts and labor costs for covered repairs. Three or four years coverage is typical, though a few makes extend this to five years. Powertrain coverage is usually in effect for a longer period, usually five or six years or more, and applies specifically to major mechanical components like the electric motor and transmission.

Not typically covered is scheduled maintenance service, wear-and-tear items like brake linings and windshield wiper blades, and failure caused by abuse or improper maintenance. Also, select components, most notably tires and dealer-installed accessories, can have separate warranties backed by the original-equipment manufacturers, and come with their own exclusions.

Automakers warranties also include specific coverage against corrosion. However, this applies to body panels that have been completely rusted through, and not to mere paint bubbling. In addition, many manufacturers include roadside assistance programs with value-added features that rival the benefits of auto-club memberships.

Those considering an electric car should be aware that automakers, by law, are required to add extended coverage for the battery pack, which is an EVs most expensive component to replace should it fail or lose its ability to hold a sufficient charge. Minimum coverage is 8 years/100,000 miles, though a few brands include longer periods. Genesis, Hyundai, and Kia cover their EV batteries for 10 years/100,000 miles, while its 155,000 miles on the Mercedes-Benz EQS. Of note, electric vehicles sold in California are required to include battery coverage for 10 years or 150,000 miles.

But be aware that every new-vehicle warranty contains exceptions and exclusions aplenty. For example, some automakers only cover an EVs battery pack against total failure, while most will replace it if it dips below a specified reduced capacity percentage, usually 60-70%, while under warranty. Coverage can be denied for reasons that include use of non-standard charging and failing to install software or firmware updates, among others. Needless to say, it pays to check the fine print regarding warranty coverage at the dealership or via the manufacturers website to get the full story before signing on the proverbial dotted line.

Heres an overview of the warranty coverage included with 2022-2023 model-year electric vehicles:

Full Coverage, Powertrain, EV Battery

Audi: 4/50,000, 4/50,000, 8/100,000

BMW: 4/50,000, 4/50,000, 8/100,000

Cadillac: 4/50,000, 6/70,000, 8/100,000

Chevrolet: 3/36,000, 5/60,000, 8/100,000

Ford: 3/36,000, 5/60,000, 8/100,000

Genesis: 5/60,000, 10/100,000, 10/100,000

GMC: 3/36,000, 5/60,000, 8/100,000

Hyundai: 5/60,000, 10/100,000, 10/100,000

Jaguar: 5/60,000. 5/60,000, 8/100,000

Kia: 5/60,000; 10/100,000, 10/100,000

Lucid: 4/50,000, 4/50,000, 8/100,000

Mazda, 3/36,000, 5/60,000, 8/100,000

Mercedes: 4/50,000, 4/50,000, 10/155,000*

MINI: 4/50,000, 4/50,000, 8/100,000

Nissan: 3/36,000, 5/60,000, 8/100,000

Polestar: 4/50,000, 4/50,000, 8/100,000

Porsche: 4/50,000: 4/50,000, 8/100,000

Rivian: 5/60,000, 5/60,000, 8/175,000

Subaru: 3/36,000, 5/60,000, 8/100,000

Tesla: 4/50,000, 4/50,000, 8/150,000**

Toyota: 3/36,000, 5/60,000, 8/100,000

Volkswagen: 4/50,000, 4/50,000, 8/100,000

Volvo: 4/50,000, 4/50,000, 8/100,000

* EQE: 10/100,000; ** Model 3 and Model Y: 8/120,000

Next up By The Numbers: The Best And Worst States For EVs

Is an EV Extended Warranty Worth It?

Conventional car batteries have much shorter life spans than EV batteries, averaging two to five years, depending on the maker. Extended auto warranties typically dont cover conventional car batteries because theyre considered wear-and-tear items, which are usually excluded. By comparison, electric car companies generally offer battery coverage for at least 8 years/100,000 miles. Conventional car batteries have much shorter life spans than EV batteries, averaging two to five years, depending on the maker. Extended auto warranties typically dont cover conventional car batteries because theyre considered wear-and-tear items, which are usually excluded. By comparison, electric car companies generally offer battery coverage for at least 8 years/100,000 miles.

Electric Car Warranty Made Easy

The UK's first direct EV extended warranty to include drive battery protection. Ultimate peace of mind against expensive EV repairs.

Drive batteries do the majority of the heavy lifting to power electric and hybrid cars and, if they fail outside the manufacturers warranty, it can cost you more than 5,000.

A lot of other common components can also carry costly repair bills, making EVs and HEVs up to 10 times more expensive to repair than traditional cars. This often includes the control module, air conditioning, steering, sensors and brakes.

As electric and hybrid cars are fast becoming a major consideration for UK motorists, we've developed an electric vehicle warranty that makes EV ownership as easy, cost effective and stress free as possible.

Cover my electric car