The past decade brought us the commercial availability of electric vehicles (EVs) and in 2025, every major automaker will have some model of EV on the road. What makes EVs so different is the replacement of carbon-dioxide-spewing internal combustion engine with a large battery. The benefit is increased sustainability, assuming you charge your EV battery with electricity from clean, renewable energy sources. How long will your battery last, and what can you do with it when it is no longer delivering the charge you need?

Most EVs run on lithium-ion batteries, thanks to their favorable energy-to-weight ratio and longevity compared to other batteries. I won’t get into the fundamentals of batteries in this article, but there are great articles on lithium-ion battery technology.

Extending the Life of EV Batteries

One of the best ways to increase a product’s sustainability is to get the most use out it before giving it another purpose. There are many ways to extend the life of batteries; here are some basics you should know.

Most importantly, avoid overcharging and deeply discharging your battery. For the best battery lifespan, keep your battery from 20 to 80 percent charged. A charge above 80 percent is considered overcharging, and under 20 percent is a deep discharge. When possible, drive your EV until the battery reaches 20 percent, and then charge it on a timer to 80 percent. Try to limit 100 percent charges to long-distance trips.

High electric currents also create a major strain on the battery. Early in the EV era, it was common knowledge that one should avoid quick-charging an EV’s battery, but that has changed as battery technology evolved and Level 3 charging has negligible impact on battery life in 2025.

Other strains on the battery, such as driving with a lead foot, have become less harmful to battery life, too. But acceleration can create heat that reduces battery life over time.  A Battery Management System can track and manage battery performance and safeguards it against the strains mentioned above. The BMS also provides guidance about when the battery needs to be replaced or serviced.

If you have concerns about your battery’s performance, get it inspected by a qualified technician.

According to research published in January 2025, EV batteries have an approximate lifespan of up to 195,000 miles. If you drive the U.S. average of 14,489 miles a year, you will need to replace your EV battery once every 13.5 years.

The Afterlife of an EV Battery

EV battery recycling has evolved significantly but the industry would benefit from adopting a standardized design to make changing batteries easier, according to a January 2025 report from the World Economic Forum.

Several companies are leading the effort to make lithium-ion battery recycling more widespread and efficient, including Redwood Materials and  Li-Cycle.  After they dismantle the battery, the lithium can be recovered and parts can be reused to assemble a new battery.

So, a battery can be recycled but if an old EV battery still has some life to it, repurposing is the better choice.

Repurposing

Even though the battery can no longer efficiently power a vehicle, it can still store energy. By repurposing batteries, companies can take advantage of their remaining usefulness. For example, they can be used to provide backup power storage in the electric grid. RePurpose Energy created a modular battery pack from old EV and hybrid batteries that can be used for industrial-sized energy storage solutions. Even though the batteries can no longer power vehicles, they are ideal for stationary energy storage.

Make Your EV More Sustainable

It seems likely that electric vehicles are the future, so it’s logical to make them as sustainable as possible. The easiest way for you to help is by adjusting your driving and charging habits to help extend the life of your EV’s battery.

By supporting companies that recycle and repurpose used EV batteries, organizations and governments can encourage the reuse of valuable materials — and keep them out of landfills. With sufficient research, planning, and support, one day it may be possible to recycle or repurpose an entire car.

About the Author

Derek McKee is a R&D chemist in the coatings industry. Because of his background, he really likes to educate others about personal safety and environmental protection.

Editor’s Note: Originally published on February 4, 2020, this article was updated in February 2025.