How long do EV batteries last? Warranty and replacement cost in Australia

Battery worries are still one of the main reasons people give for not buying an EV. The data is reassuring. Telematics company Geotab analysed more than 22,700 electric vehicles across 21 models, and in its January 2026 update found the average battery lost 2.3% of its capacity a year. At that rate a battery still holds about 80% of its original capacity after eight years. In practice, a car with 500 km of range when new would still manage about 400 km.

What wears a battery

Geotab found charging behaviour was a key driver, especially heavy use of DC fast charging. Cars that fast-charged most of the time degraded noticeably faster than those charged mainly at home. Heat, and sitting at 100% charge for long periods, also speed up wear. Climate matters too. Very hot regions are harder on batteries, which is relevant in much of Australia.

• Charge at home on AC where you can, and use DC fast chargers for trips.
• Follow the maker's advice on your daily charge limit. Makers commonly suggest a daily limit of around 80–90% for nickel-based (NMC) batteries, while Tesla recommends charging its LFP batteries to 100% at least once a week.
• Avoid leaving the car at a very high or very low charge for weeks.
• Park in the shade or under cover in summer when you can.

Battery warranties in Australia

From each maker's Australian warranty documents as at November 2026. Kilometre limits and conditions vary by model and delivery date, so check the warranty for the exact car, especially when buying used. Coverage generally passes to the next owner. A capacity guarantee means the maker repairs or replaces the battery if it falls below that level within the warranty, subject to its testing and terms.

Separately, the Australian Consumer Law gives you rights if a product fails earlier than it reasonably should, even outside the written warranty.

What a replacement costs

Makers rarely publish replacement battery prices, and most worn batteries are repaired module by module rather than replaced whole. The NRMA cited one real invoice from 2022 for a new 60 kWh LFP pack for a Tesla Model 3 RWD, at just over $14,000 before installation. Battery prices have fallen a lot since then. BloombergNEF's December 2025 survey put the global average pack price at US$108 per kWh, down 8% in a year, and EV packs averaged US$99 per kWh.

Using those falling prices, the NRMA estimated these 2025 pack-only costs (installation extra):

NRMA projections, not quotes. Real prices depend on the model, parts availability and labour.

Buying a used EV

Ask for a battery health report (state of health) from the dealer or the maker's service centre, and check how much warranty time and distance remains. A car on its original battery with 90% state of health after five years is normal.

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