Electric car battery warranties explained

Can you hear what’s coming over the horizon? Probably not, because it’s a swathe of near-silent Electric Vehicles (EVs), set to supersede the bog-standard gas-guzzling Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) car within the next decade or two. 

There’s a raft of new topics to get up to speed on in regards to EVs, including learning if there’s such a thing as an electric car battery warranty (there is) and if the number of EVs on Australian roads are increasing (they are). 

The good news is that EVs have far less moving parts than ICE cars, meaning you’re less likely to face problems that will mean you need to exercise your rights to use your warranty. 

Having said that, EV battery packs do succumb to wear and tear and won’t last forever, so car manufacturers are providing warranties - warranties that are separate from the actual car warranty, and usually covering a longer period of time. 

Electric car battery warranties typically cover the battery pack for a period of time or number of kilometres, but they’ll also cover reduced capacity of the battery if it drops to less than 70 per cent (ie 30 per cent is expected over time, and anything beyond that will be covered during the warranty period). 

Batteries are the most expensive thing in an EV, and a lot of research and development goes into ensuring they’ll be as efficient and long-lasting as possible. 

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While there’s no way to predict exactly how long the battery will last - how much you use the EV, how you charge it and the power you use will all effect the battery pack’s lifespan - they are built to outlast the usability of the car itself, and a life cycle of 10 to 20 years isn’t an unreasonable assessment. 

Electric car battery warranty for each brand 

Tesla battery warranty

Tesla is the poster company for vehicle electrification.

The Tesla Model S battery warranty and Tesla Model X battery warranty are the same: eight years or 240,000km, whichever comes first, with minimum 70 per cent retention of battery capacity over the warranty period.

The Tesla Model 3 battery warranty: The Model 3 Standard Range is eight years or 160,000km, whichever comes first, with minimum 70 per cent retention of battery capacity over the warranty period. The Model 3 Long Range and Model 3 Performance: eight years or 192,000km, whichever comes first, with minimum 70 per cent retention of battery capacity over the warranty period.

Tesla also have a Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty (that covers your vehicle for four years or 80,000km, whichever comes first) and a Supplemental Restraint System Limited Warranty (covers your vehicle for five years or 100,000km, whichever comes first). 

Tesla also offers a Used Vehicle Limited Warranty where they cover used vehicles for the remainder of four years or 80,000km left on the Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty. After expiration, the Used Vehicle Limited Warranty provides additional coverage of one year or 20,000km. If the Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty has already expired, the Used Vehicle Limited Warranty will provide coverage of one year or 20,000km, starting from your delivery date.

The Tesla Parts, Body and Paint Repair Limited Warranty begins on the purchase date of the part(s), and coverage extends for a period of 12 months or 20,000km, which ever comes first. Specific categories of parts have unique warranty coverage periods. 

Audi battery warranty

The Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback are covered for eight years or 160,000km, whichever comes first. The vehicles themselves comes with a three-year/unlimited-kilometre new-car warranty.

Mercedes-Benz battery warranty

The Owner Protection Plan for the Mercedes-Benz EQC provides five years unlimited-kilometre coverage, including coverage for the 12-volt battery. The EQC Owner Protection Plan also covers the High Voltage (HV) Battery for eight years or 160,000km, whichever occurs first.

Nissan car battery warranty

The Nissan Leaf battery warranty is eight years or 160,000km, whichever comes first. The New Vehicle Warranty is five years and unlimited kilometres unless the vehicle is used as a commercial vehicle, in which case it’s five years or 200,000km. 

Hyundai electric battery warranty

The Hyundai Ioniq battery warranty and Hyundai Kona battery warranty are both eight years or 160,000km, whichever comes first. Hyundai's warranty for defects in material and construction of the battery is 10 years/unlimited kilometres. The vehicle itself is covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty. 

BMW battery warranty

The BMW battery warranty is eight years or 160,000km, whichever comes first (this also goes for BMW’s plug-in hybrid range). The vehicle warranty is three years and unlimited kilometres.

Note: if you’re want to know the Tata Nexon EV battery warranty or Chevy Bolt battery warranty, you may want to look elsewhere as these particular models aren’t available in Australia.