E-cars are becoming more practical for everyday use: E-book by Verti with renowned experts on modern energy systems

While it was recently reported from Norway that almost every newly sold car there is now fully electric, electric cars are catching on significantly more slowly in Germany. Users see many disadvantages alongside the advantages such as environmental friendliness, low operating costs, and tax benefits. These include, above all, the higher acquisition costs compared to combustion engines, the range issues, and battery wear.

However, a great deal is currently happening in science and research, so that at least the arguments around battery and range are likely to lose more and more clout:

"The automotive industry is continuously optimizing and developing the technology for e-car batteries to increase the range in the future while simultaneously reducing charging time and costs," says automotive and insurance expert Alexander Held from Verti Versicherung AG. "Thus, e-cars will become more practical for everyday use in the future, making a switch more attractive."

Standard warranty period of eight years

So far, it is the case that electric car batteries can last between 8 and 15 years under moderate conditions and good usage.

"However, since the lifespan of an electric car battery is equated with the warranty period granted by manufacturers, a standard warranty period of eight years currently applies," says the insurance expert.

At the end of this standard lifespan, an electric car battery still has about 70 to 80 percent of its original capacity.

"This means that while the battery offers less range, the electric car is still usable. Whether the lifespan of an electric car battery actually meets manufacturers' promises is influenced by various factors. These include, in addition to the quality of the battery, the number of charging cycles, the charging and driving behavior, or temperature conditions," says Held.