Interactive guide · Range calculator

EV Batteries
range, explained honestly

How big a battery you really need, why range drops in winter, and how to keep your battery healthy for years.

kWh & range NMC vs LFP 8-year warranty

Global EV adoption

Share of new car sales: 22,0%

2026 data

BEV Share of new car sales

14,0%

EVs sold in 2025

17M

Public chargers

5.5M

World leader

China (≈60% of sales)

Start the guide

Part 1 · The basics

What is an EV battery?

The battery is the EV’s fuel tank: a large pack of lithium-ion cells storing energy measured in kWh. Bigger battery = more range, but also more weight, cost and charging time.

Range depends on three things: battery size, consumption (kWh/100 km) and conditions. A 60 kWh battery at 15 kWh/100 km gives a theoretical 400 km — less in winter, more in summer.

1 Capacity (kWh)

The energy store. 40 kWh = city car, 60–80 kWh = mainstream, 100+ kWh = long-range luxury.

2 Chemistry

NMC packs more energy; LFP is cheaper, safer and lasts longer. New solid-state cells are coming.

3 Degradation

Batteries lose ~2–3% capacity per year. Warranted for 8 years / 160,000 km at ~70% health.

Why winter cuts range : Cold slows battery chemistry and heating the cabin uses energy. Real range in winter can drop 15–30%. Pre-conditioning while plugged in recovers most of it. See simulateur.

Part 2 · How it works

Battery life & health

From chemistry to your daily habits, here is what determines battery life.

1

Chemistry choice

NMC = higher energy density, better cold performance. LFP = cheaper, longer cycle life, less cobalt.
2

Charging habits

Charging to 100% daily and frequent fast charging accelerate degradation. Keep 20–80% for daily use.
3

Thermal management

Active cooling/heating keeps the pack in the ideal temperature window — critical for long life.
4

Range calculation

Range = battery kWh ÷ consumption. Consumption rises with speed, cold, heating and heavy loads.
5

Warranty

Most brands guarantee 8 years / 160,000 km against failure and excessive degradation.

Part 2 · The demonstration

Estimate your real-world range

Model temperature, highway share and consumption to see realistic range for any battery.

Battery size (kWh) 60

Consumption (kWh/100 km) 15

Outside temperature (°C) 20

Highway share (%) 50

Estimated real-world range

400

Cold, highway speed and heating reduce range. This model is indicative.

Part 2 · The demonstration

How long to charge that battery

See charging time and cost for your battery size and charger.

Battery size (kWh)

Electricity price ($/kWh)

Start (%)

Target (%)

Charger power (kW) 7 kW

Time to charge

7 h 42 min

Energy added

36 kWh

Estimated cost

$5.40

Part 3 · The data

The EV market in 2026

Key adoption figures and the most popular electric cars. Data is indicative 2026.

22,0%

EV + PHEV

The electric transition is accelerating. Key 2026 indicators.

Model	Price	Range (WLTP)	0–100 km/h	Fast charge	Battery
Tesla Model Y Tesla	$44,990	480 km	5.0 s	250 kW	75 kWh
Tesla Model 3 Tesla	$40,990	513 km	4.9 s	250 kW	60–75 kWh
BYD Dolphin BYD	$23,990	420 km	7.5 s	60–80 kW	60 kWh
BYD Seagull BYD	$10,990	305 km	10.0 s	30 kW	30–38 kWh
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Hyundai	$42,990	507 km	5.1 s	350 kW	77.4 kWh
Kia EV6 Kia	$43,990	528 km	5.2 s	350 kW	77.4 kWh
VW ID.4 Volkswagen	$41,990	515 km	7.0 s	135 kW	77 kWh
Renault Mégane E-Tech Renault	$38,990	450 km	7.4 s	130 kW	60 kWh

Charging guide →

Levels, connectors, cost and time.

EV vs petrol →

The honest cost & CO₂ comparison.

Buying guide →

Budget, rebates and checklist before you sign.

Crypto converter →

Live prices for 20+ cryptocurrencies.

Part 5 · The models

Battery chemistries compared

The main lithium-ion chemistries in EVs today.

NMC

Nickel Manganese Cobalt
High energy density
Longer range per kg
Good cold performance
Uses cobalt

LFP

Lithium Iron Phosphate
Cheaper & safer
Longer cycle life
Can charge to 100% daily
Slightly less range

Solid-state

Next generation
Higher density, safer
Faster charging
In early production
Coming 2027–2030

Part 6 · The uses

What your range needs depend on

Match the battery to how you actually drive.

City commuting

A 40–60 kWh battery covers a week of commuting. Home charging removes range anxiety.

Frequent long trips

80–100 kWh or very fast charging (350 kW) keeps stops short on motorways.

Cold climates

Add a 20–30% buffer for winter, or rely on heat-pump models and pre-conditioning.

Towing

Towing can halve range. Plan chargers and consider bigger batteries.

Budget buyers

LFP cars are cheaper, charge to 100% daily and degrade slowly. Ideal first EVs.

Fast charging lovers

Check the 10→80% time, not just peak kW. Bigger batteries charge faster in practice.

Part 7 · The verdict

Advantages & Limitations

Advantages

✔Zero moving parts — the battery simply stores energy.
✔Warrantied for 8 years / 160,000 km.
✔Recoverable via regeneration (braking becomes charging).
✔LFP options are cheap and long-lasting.
✔Technology improving fast: density up, cost down.

Limitations

✕Range drops 15–30% in winter.
✕Degrades over time (~2–3%/year).
✕Heavy — a 75 kWh pack weighs ~500 kg.
✕Replacement is expensive (though rare).
✕Fast charging tapers above 80%.

Part 8 · The vocabulary

Quick glossary

The battery terms you need to know.

kWh

Kilowatt-hour — the battery’s energy capacity.

Kilowatt — the power output/charging speed.

SOC

State of charge — battery percentage.

NMC

Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt chemistry.

LFP

Lithium-Iron-Phosphate chemistry.

Energy density

Energy stored per kg (Wh/kg).

Cycle life

Charges/discharges before notable degradation.

Regeneration

Recovers braking energy back into the battery.

Pre-conditioning

Warming the battery while plugged in before driving.

Buffer

Extra range reserve for cold weather or towing.

Thermal management

Active heating/cooling of the battery pack.

Battery health (SOH)

Remaining capacity vs new, as a percentage.

Part 9 · Questions

EV battery FAQ

How long does an EV battery last?

Typically 15+ years or 300,000+ km. Batteries lose about 2–3% capacity per year, and most are warrantied for 8 years / 160,000 km at 70% health.

Does charging to 100% damage the battery?

Leaving it at 100% for long periods and charging to 100% daily accelerates degradation. Daily charging to 80% is ideal; charge to 100% for trips.

Why does range drop in winter?

Cold slows battery chemistry and cabin heating draws power. Expect 15–30% less range in freezing conditions. Pre-conditioning while plugged in helps.

What is the difference between NMC and LFP?

NMC packs more energy per kg and performs better in cold. LFP is cheaper, safer, lasts more cycles and can charge to 100% daily.

How much does a battery replacement cost?

$5,000–20,000+ depending on the car and pack, but replacements are rare and usually covered by warranty or insurance. Battery health declines slowly.

How many km does a 60 kWh battery give?

Around 400 km of WLTP at 15 kWh/100 km. Real range: 280–480 km depending on temperature, speed and driving style.

Can I charge an EV battery to 100% for a trip?

Yes. For long trips, charging to 100% is fine — just don’t leave the car parked at 100% for days, especially in heat.

How do I maximize battery life?

Charge to 80% daily, avoid frequent fast charging, keep the battery between 20–80%, use scheduled charging in heat, and let the car manage thermal pre-conditioning.

Range and degradation figures are indicative. Real values depend on driving, climate and battery management.

Continue reading

Size your battery correctly

Use the range calculator to match the right battery to your real driving.

Charging guide → EV vs petrol → Buying guide →

Quick links

Part 1 · The basics Part 2 · How it works Energy flow Range calculator Charging calculator EV vs petrol Market & models

EV Batteries range, explained honestly