Electric Vehicle Battery Degradation
A new study involving 1,300 electric vehicles has just debunked one of the biggest myths about EV ownership. For years, the topic of battery degradation has sparked intense debate among consumers and automakers alike.
However, fresh data from a recent Swedish study has turned that discussion on its head, challenging long-held assumptions about how quickly EV batteries lose their capacity over time.
Swedish study of 1,300 EVs
This new insight comes not from an automaker like Volvo or Polestar, but from a Swedish used-car marketplace called Kvdbil.
The company conducted an extensive study examining the “State of Health” of more than 1,300 used electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, aiming to better understand how these cars perform over time.
Given how frequently the issue of EV battery degradation is brought up, the findings are both timely and significant.

Turns out these cars are far more durable than expected
The biggest takeaway from Kvdbil’s research is that the widespread belief about rapid EV battery degradation is largely a myth, one that doesn’t reflect real-world performance.
According to the study, eight out of ten EVs retained more than 90% of their original battery capacity, proving that modern electric vehicles are far more resilient than many assume.
This finding directly challenges the long-standing notion that EV batteries deteriorate quickly and require costly replacements.
Although Kvdbil did not disclose the average mileage corresponding to these results, the conclusion remains clear: the myth surrounding EV battery weakness doesn’t hold up under scrutiny.
This myth-busting study is a huge confidence boost for current and potential EV owners alike, demonstrating that electric cars can maintain their health and performance over time.
When it comes to top performers, Kia took the lead, its EV6 and Niro Performance claimed the top two positions, followed by the Tesla Model Y in third place.
As the EV market continues to grow, this study offers valuable reassurance to skeptical buyers. The evidence suggests that battery degradation may not be the dealbreaker many once feared.