A major study of over 22,000 electric vehicles reveals average battery degradation has increased to 2.3% per year. Fast charging habits now play a critical role in long-term battery performance, according to Geotab’s latest findings.
Battery health remains a decisive factor for anyone considering an electric vehicle, and new research from Geotab brings fresh clarity to the debate. In 2025, the company analyzed real-world data from more than 22,700 electric cars across 21 brands, focusing on how usage patterns and charging speeds affect battery longevity.
The headline finding: average annual battery degradation has climbed to 2.3%, up from 1.8% the previous year. While this increase is modest, it signals a shift as electric vehicles are driven more intensively and charged more frequently at higher speeds. Geotab’s Vice President for EMEA, Iván Lequerica, notes that battery health remains robust overall, with most batteries still outperforming the replacement cycles expected by fleet operators.
Using the lowest charging power that meets operational needs can make a measurable difference in long-term battery health.
However, the study highlights a growing influence of charging behavior on battery aging. Regular use of fast charging—defined as charging above 100 kW—can double the annual degradation rate from 1.5% to 3%. This means that drivers who rely heavily on rapid charging may see their batteries lose capacity faster than those who stick to slower charging methods. Lequerica emphasizes the importance of balance, suggesting that using the lowest charging power that meets operational needs can make a measurable difference in long-term battery health.
These findings are particularly relevant for fleet managers and private owners alike. As electric vehicles become more common in Spain and across Europe, understanding how charging habits affect battery life is crucial for both cost management and sustainability. The study’s results echo concerns raised in other European markets, where infrastructure and user behavior are shaping the real-world performance of electric cars. For example, London’s innovative approach to street charging has been closely watched, as detailed in this report on urban charging solutions.
Context matters: previous research from Sweden found that 8 out of 10 electric vehicles retained more than 90% of their original battery capacity after several years of use. Geotab’s latest data builds on this, showing that while battery technology is holding up well, user choices—especially around charging—are becoming the key variable in long-term performance.
For consumers and fleet operators, the message is clear: smart charging strategies are now as important as the vehicles themselves. As the electric car market matures, practical knowledge about battery care will increasingly shape both resale values and the overall cost of ownership.
