Battery warranties

Most EV battery warranties guarantee a minimum remaining capacity for a set number of years or kilometres, whichever comes first. The exact terms are set by each manufacturer, and Voltgevity's predictions are not warranty assessments.

How battery warranties are structured

A typical EV battery warranty combines three elements, all defined by the manufacturer. If the measured capacity falls below the threshold within the warranty period, the manufacturer typically repairs or replaces components so that capacity is restored to an agreed level, which is not necessarily the as-new level.

Separate from the capacity guarantee, there is usually coverage for defects. Conditions, exclusions and the way capacity is measured differ between brands, models and markets, so the warranty documents for your specific car are the only authoritative source.

A time limit in years
A distance limit in kilometres
A minimum capacity threshold, usually expressed as a percentage of original capacity

How warranties relate to real-world ageing

Fleet telematics data suggests that many EVs lose on average roughly 1.5 to 2.5 % of capacity per year, and OEM-reported fleet data indicates that many vehicles retain a large share of their capacity after high mileage. Taken at face value, such averages suggest that many cars stay above common warranty thresholds during the warranty period. These sources are not peer reviewed, however, and averages say little about the outliers.

Cell-to-cell variation and late-life knees mean that a minority of packs can age faster than average. Warranties exist partly to protect the owner against that tail risk.

Measurement matters

Warranty claims are judged on the manufacturer's own measurement procedure, typically involving the BMS capacity estimate or a dealer test. A third-party SOH reading or an app estimate may differ from that measurement. If you suspect unusual degradation, asking the manufacturer or dealer for an official assessment is the relevant step.

What Voltgevity can and cannot tell you

Voltgevity estimates how capacity might develop under different charging strategies and conditions. It can show how a projected range of outcomes compares with a capacity threshold, which helps with planning. It cannot determine whether a warranty claim would be accepted, and its projections are neither a warranty assessment nor legal advice.

Key takeaways

Battery warranties typically combine years, kilometres and a minimum capacity threshold, all set by the manufacturer.
Fleet averages suggest many cars stay above common thresholds, but individual packs vary.
Warranty claims depend on the manufacturer's own measurement procedure.
Voltgevity's predictions support planning but are not warranty assessments.