More efficient manufacturing, falling battery costs and intense competition are lowering sticker prices for battery-powered models to within striking distance of gasoline cars.

  • xmunk@sh.itjust.works
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    4 months ago

    The US DoE puts EV battery half-life at 8-12 years for most current vehicles. That’s insanely short compared to ICE.

    • SeaJ@lemm.ee
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      4 months ago

      Do you have the link for that? Many old Model S’ are still getting well over 50% of their range; closer to 85-90%. The only way I could see that being is if a large portion of the batteries in the sample were Nissan Leafs which were air cooled and degraded horribly in extreme heat or extreme cold.

    • shalafi@lemmy.world
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      4 months ago

      Yeah, I can’t do that. As little as I drive, they would last longer, but still. I’ll be retired or close enough in 12-years, won’t be able to afford a fresh battery. My ICE convertible and truck are 02 and 04 models and run fine.

      Knowing there’s a hard limit on usage, with a wildly expensive repair at the end, that’s tough to swallow. I can keep my 04 F150 running forever. (For certain values of forever.)

      • Varyk@sh.itjust.works
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        4 months ago

        It’s not a hard limit, it’s a variable capacity reduction over a decade that estimates a maximum 50% reduction in range, similar to the lost efficiency of an ICE engine as the tubes , pipes and cases erode.

        You add in the far lower fuel/repair/ maintenance costs and that optional new battery is costing you less than you’re paying in gasoline, oil changes or other basic and common maintenance.