Will electric cars last 10 years

Global

After a decade of rapid growth, in 2020 the global electric car stock hit the 10million mark, a 43% increase over 2019, and representing a 1% stock share. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for two-thirds of new electric car registrations and two-thirds of the stock in 2020. China, with 4.5 million electric cars, has the largest fleet, though in 2020 Europe had the largest annual increase to reach 3.2million.

Overall the global market for all types of cars was significantly affected by the economic repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic. The first part of 2020 saw new car registrations drop about one-third from the preceding year. This was partially offset by stronger activity in the second-half, resulting in a 16% drop overall year-on-year. Notably, with conventional and overall new car registrations falling, global electric car sales share rose 70% to a record 4.6% in 2020.

About 3million new electric cars were registered in 2020. For the first time, Europe led with 1.4 million new registrations. China followed with 1.2 million registrations and the United States registered295000 new electric cars.

Numerous factors contributed to increased electric car registrations in 2020. Notably, electric cars are gradually becoming more competitive in some countries on a total cost of ownership basis. Several governments provided or extended fiscal incentives that buffered electric car purchases from the downturn in car markets.

Europe

Overall Europes car market contracted 22% in 2020. Yet, new electric car registrations more than doubled to 1.4million representing a sales share of 10%. In the large markets, Germany registered 395000new electric cars and France registered 185000. The United Kingdom more than doubled registrations to reach 176000. Electric cars in Norway reached a record high sales share of 75%, up about one-third from 2019. Sales shares of electric cars exceeded 50% in Iceland, 30% in Sweden and reached 25% in the Netherlands.

This surge in electric car registrations in Europe despite the economic slump reflect two policy measures. First, 2020 was the target year for the European Unions CO₂ emissions standards that limit the average carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions per kilometre driven for new cars. Second, many European governments increased subsidy schemes for EVs as part of stimulus packages to counter the effects of the pandemic.

In European countries, BEV registrations accounted for 54% of electric car registrations in 2020, continuing to exceed those of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). However, the BEV registration level doubled from the previous year while the PHEV level thripled. The share of BEVs was particularly high in the Netherlands (82% of all electric car registrations), Norway (73%), United Kingdom (62%) and France (60%).

China

The overall car market in China was impacted by the panademic less than other regions. Total new car registrations were down about 9%.

Registration of new electric cars was lower than the overall car market in the first-half of 2020. This trend reversed in the second-halfas China constrained the panademic. The result was a sales share of 5.7%, up from 4.8% in 2019. BEVs were about 80% of new electric cars registered.

Key policy actions muted the incentives for the electric car market in China. Purchase subsidies were initially due to expire at the end of 2020, but following signals that they would be phased out more gradually prior to the pandemic, by April 2020 and in the midst of the pandemic, they were instead cut by 10% and exended through 2022. Reflecting economic concerns related to the pandemic, several cities relaxed car licence policies, allowing for more internal combustion engines vehicles to be registered to support local car industries.

United States

The US car market declined 23% in 2020, though electric car registrations fell less than the overall market. In 2020, 295000new electric cars were registered, of which about 78% were BEVs, down from 327000 in 2019. Their sales share nudged up to 2%. Federal incentives decreased in 2020 due to the federal tax credits for Tesla and General Motors, which account for the majority of electric car registrations, reaching their limit.

Other countries

Electric car markets in other countries were resilent in 2020. For example, in Canada the new car market shrunk 21% while new electric car registrations were broadly unchanged from the previous year at 51000.

New Zealand is a notable exception. In spite of its strong pandemic response, it saw a decline of 22% in new electric car registrations in 2020, in line with a car market decline of 21%. The decline seems to be largely related to exceptionally low EV registrations in April 2020 when New Zealand was in lockdown.

Another exception is Japan, where the overall new car market contracted 11% from the 2019 level while electric car registrations declined 25% in 2020.Theelectric car market in Japan has fallen in absolute and relative terms every year since 2017, when it peaked at 54000registrations and a 1% sales share. In 2020, there were 29000registrations and a 0.6% sales share.

Electric vehicles in the United States - statistics & facts

New players are yet to reach profitability

Tesla

continues to dominate the U.S. EV market, with an estimated 536,100

electric vehicles sold in the United States

in 2022. However, competition is beginning to gain momentum, and manufacturers such as General Motors are continuing to add new EV models into their range of vehicles offered. Ford's Mustang Mach-E and

Chevrolet's Bolt

made it into the list of

best-selling battery-electric vehicle models

in 2022. Nearly 20,800 and 22,100 Chevrolet Bolts were sold in the United States in 2020 and 2021, respectively. The model is manufactured by a subsidiary of General Motors, which will end its Bolt production at the end of 2023 to focus on building electric pickup trucks. 2022 Chevrolet Bolt sales dropped to their lowest point since 2017. General Motors intends to only sell zero-emission vehicles by 2035.

Despite more American brands ranking high among the

best-selling battery-electric vehicle (BEV) brands in the United States

, the U.S. electric vehicle market heavily depends on Tesla's sales. In 2022, the company reported over five times as many BEV sales as Ford, which ranked second. This contrasts with the

global BEV market

, where the gap between Tesla and other manufacturers is not as steep.

Tesla's success and the increasing popularity of electric vehicles have attracted growing investments in EVs, charging infrastructure, and battery manufacturing. Manufacturers are looking to increase their research and development expenditure, with electric mobility at the forefront of their investments. This is partly motivated by the U.S. government's commitment to decarbonizing its fleet, with many states pledging to ban the sale of fossil fuel vehicles by 2035. However, despite this success, new market players still struggle to attain profitability. Despite the R1T being among the ten best-selling battery-electric cars in the U.S.,

Rivian reported its largest net loss

in the 2022 fiscal year. Lucid Motors fared better,

decreasing its net loss that same year

, but has yet to become profitable.

Market challenges discourage consumers

Increasing retail gasoline prices

could contribute to consumer interest in EVs. However, the market still faces various challenges which can act as disincentives for prospective car buyers. In an October 2022 survey, U.S. respondents highlighted EVs' cost, driving range, and the time necessary to charge their batteries as the

leading concerns regarding battery-electric vehicles

. According to an October 2022 survey, 47 percent of

U.S. participants expected an EV to have a driving range of 400 miles or above

, including 19 percent expecting an EV to have a driving range of 600 miles or more. As of April 2023, the 2022 Lucid Air Dream Edition Range was the EV model with the

longest range on the market

at 520 miles. Tesla's 2021 Model 3 with all-wheel drive, second in this ranking, had a driving range of around 353 miles, fitting or exceeding the expectations of 53 percent of U.S. consumers.

However, while consumers' range anxiety might not match market reality, price inflation has been heavily impacting the automotive market due in part to market uncertainties linked with the semiconductor shortage and rising raw material prices. While electric vehicles were not as affected by this uncertainty, their price point was still prohibitive for many consumers. In December 2022, the

average selling price for electric cars

was the third highest across all vehicle types. It remained relatively stable compared to December 2021down 397 U.S. dollars to nearly 61,500 U.S. dollars.

When it comes to electric vehicle charging infrastructure, the United States boasts the

third-largest public charger network worldwide

. However, 77 percent of U.S. consumers surveyed in October 2022 reported

intending to charge their electric vehicles most often at home

, highlighting prohibitive installation costs as one of the main reasons they could not access charging at home. In 2022, the U.S. recorded over 136,500

public chargers

installed in the country, over six times the size of its

private charger network

. These various challenges leaves space for new opportunities in the U.S. EV market, with the government supporting EV adoption by enacting

various laws and incentives to promote the sector

608 electric vehicle laws and incentives were recorded in 2022.

This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.

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.