A new study reveals that battery-powered electric vehicles have achieved a longevity comparable to that of gasoline and diesel vehicles, marking a major breakthrough on the road to efficient and sustainable transport.
Longevity in the new generations of electric vehicles
The study is based on nearly 300 million test records from the UK Department for Transport , analysing the “health” of vehicles on British roads between 2005 and 2022. The international research team, including experts from the University of Birmingham , the London School of Economics , the University of California, San Diego and the University of Bern , found that early BEVs were less reliable, but technological advances have allowed newer models to achieve lifespans comparable to fossil fuel vehicles.
Professor Robert Elliott from the University of Birmingham said that as Europe moves towards more renewable energy integration, BEVs can quickly offset their carbon footprint, offering considerable environmental benefits. According to the study, BEVs demonstrate a steady improvement in reliability, with a 12% lower probability of failure for each successive year of production, outperforming petrol and diesel vehicles.
Leading brands in vehicle longevity include Tesla for electric vehicles, and Audi and Skoda for petrol and diesel vehicles. Researchers stress that BEVs are a viable alternative, with an average lifespan of 18.4 years and a range of up to 124,000 miles.
Dr Viet Nguyen-Tien from the London School of Economics concludes that these findings provide reliable data for consumers and policy makers, encouraging the adoption of durable and environmentally friendly vehicles, while planning their end-of-life treatment.
The study highlights the importance of technological advances in promoting electric vehicles. It also provides valuable information for fleet replacement strategies and effective end-of-life recycling of electric vehicles.
Follow us on social media and don’t miss any of our posts!
YouTube LinkedIn Facebook Instagram X TikTok
Source: University of Birhimgham
Photo: Shutterstock
