Electric Vehicles Match Traditional Cars in Longevity: New Study

A new study has found that battery-powered electric vehicles now match the lifespans of traditional petrol and diesel cars. This milestone reflects advancements in technology and sustainability efforts driven by a shift towards renewable energy.

Battery-powered electric vehicles (BEVs) have reached a significant milestone in the automotive industry, now matching the lifespans of traditional petrol and diesel vehicles, according to a new study published in Nature Energy.

The research team, comprising experts from the University of Birmingham, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), the University of California San Diego and the University of Bern, Switzerland, analyzed nearly 300 million UK Ministry of Transport (MOT) test records from 2005 to 2022. This comprehensive dataset allowed them to assess the reliability and lifespan of both BEVs and internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs).

The study found that early BEVs were less dependable compared to their ICEV counterparts. However, rapid advancements in technology have enabled newer BEVs to achieve comparable, and sometimes superior, lifespans even under intensive use.

On average, BEVs now have a lifespan of 18.4 years and can travel up to 124,000 miles, surpassing traditional petrol cars in mileage.

Notably, BEVs showed the most rapid improvement in reliability, with a 12% lower likelihood of failure for each successive year of production. By comparison, petrol vehicles improved by 6.7% and diesel vehicles by 1.9%.

Co-author Viet Nguyen-Tien, a research officer at LSE’s Centre for Economic Performance (CEP), highlighted the environmental significance of these findings.

“Our findings provide critical insights into the lifespan and environmental impact of electric vehicles. No longer just a niche option, BEVs are a viable and sustainable alternative to traditional vehicles — a significant step towards achieving a net-zero carbon future,” he said in a news release.

Co-author Robert Elliott, a professor of economics at the University of Birmingham, emphasized the sustainability benefits.

“BEVs offer significant environmental benefits, especially as Europe switches to a more renewable energy mix,” he added. “Despite higher initial emissions from production, a long-lasting electric vehicle can quickly offset its carbon footprint, contributing to the fight against climate change — making them a more sustainable long-term option.”

The study also identified the top-performing brands in terms of vehicle longevity. Tesla leads among BEVs, while Audi and Skoda excelled in the petrol and diesel categories, respectively.

This research has far-reaching implications for both consumers and policymakers. With concrete data supporting the reliability and sustainability of BEVs, consumers can make informed decisions about future vehicle purchases. Moreover, policymakers can use these insights to create regulations and incentives that promote the adoption of durable, environmentally friendly vehicles, and plan for their end-of-life recycling.

In conclusion, the findings of this study mark a pivotal moment in the transport sector’s shift towards sustainability, highlighting the crucial role that technological advancements have played in bridging the longevity gap between BEVs and traditional vehicles. The transition to electric vehicles is not just an environmental imperative but also a viable and practical choice for consumers worldwide.