A new study suggests electric vehicle batteries might last up to a third longer than previously believed. This means consumers can potentially drive their electric vehicles for lengthier amounts of time before needing to replace their batteries or even buy a new car. 

The scientists who conducted the study were working at the SLAC-Stanford Battery Center, a joint effort between Stanford University's Precourt Institute for Energy and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. The findings exposed some common misconceptions about electric vehicle batteries, as the university detailed in a report posted by Tech Xplore. 

And this is big news for consumers everywhere. According to Kelley Blue Book, a major concern among potential electric vehicle buyers is battery repair and replacement costs. So in essence, this study can prove to be a game-changer, affecting that particular roadblock by providing reassurance that repair costs are incurred less frequently.

"We've not been testing EV batteries the right way," Simona Onori, a senior author of the study said, summing up the findings.

Historically, researchers and engineers have evaluated the performance of new battery designs by subjecting them to continuous cycles of discharging and recharging, as noted in the report. Although these tests can provide valuable insights, they do not accurately reflect the usual driving patterns experienced in everyday use. 

Researchers discovered that evaluating batteries in real-world driving scenarios yielded more precise outcomes. This involved regular acceleration and deceleration, similar to navigating through residential areas or congested traffic. Additionally, it required extended intervals of inactivity, such as when a vehicle is stopped for a quick errand or left parked overnight in a driveway. 

As the authors of the study wrote, "This work shows that cycling experiments need to be carried out with realistic loads to capture degradation trends." This is an important distinction from current industry standard testing methods and models. 

In recent years, the price of electric vehicle batteries has dropped dramatically, buoyed by stunning technological breakthroughs. But they are still an expensive aspect of the cars, so the implication they could last much longer than previously thought is a welcome bit of news. It means consumers can confidently make the switch to electric vehicles as they are likely to be cheaper and more efficient. 

And that's good news for the environment because electric vehicles don't burn gas that releases air pollution. If you're interested in potentially making the switch to an electric car, check out this helpful guide. 

If you were considering buying an electric vehicle (EV), which of the following factors would you prioritize the most? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

The results are set to revolutionize our methods for assessing battery efficiency in the near future. Furthermore, the study's implications may reach beyond just automotive batteries, potentially influencing our testing strategies for various energy storage technologies across a diverse range of applications. 

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