KEA-BW Brochure E-Mobility: After 160,000 kilometers still 90 percent battery capacity

How long electric cars can run on the roads depends on the condition of their batteries. The lifespan is longer than many think: Generally, an electric car's battery still has 90 percent capacity after 160,000 kilometers, according to a study from the USA this year. This and many other pieces of information can be found in the brochure “Fact Check E-Mobility” by the KEA Climate Protection and Energy Agency Baden-Württemberg (KEA-BW). The 32-page publication has now been completely revised and expanded. It also answers questions about the reliability, costs, and climate balance of electric vehicles. The brochure “Fact Check E-Mobility” from KEA-BW aims to provide comprehensive information on e-mobility and is directed at professionals, such as in advisory centers, as well as interested citizens.

Safety: Fewer Breakdowns, Strict Regulations

One example is the reliability of e-cars: Due to the technically simpler design of the electric motor and drivetrain, the vehicles are significantly less prone to breakdowns than their fossil-fuel-driven counterparts. Electric cars must also meet strict safety requirements. They catch fire significantly less often than gasoline or diesel cars: According to last year's data from the insurance company Autoinsurance EZ from the USA, 1,530 combustion engines catch fire per 100,000 vehicles sold, but only 25 electric vehicles. They also do not burn more intensely than cars powered by fossil fuels—both types of vehicles now contain significantly more plastic than previous generations, which is why there is a higher release of smoke and heat during fires.

Costs Scrutinized: These Financial Advantages of E-Cars

Also, when it comes to costs, e-cars collect points: Although the purchase costs are currently still higher than those of comparable combustion engines, electric cars can show a clear cost advantage over their lifetime due to their significantly lower maintenance and repair costs—there are, for example, much fewer wearing parts and no oil change. If you additionally use self-generated electricity from your own photovoltaic system, running costs are reduced even further. This means: In a comprehensive cost analysis, electric vehicles often turn out to be cheaper.