Reviewed by Lexie CornerJan 27 2025
Battery-powered electric vehicles (BEVs) are now as reliable as conventional petrol and diesel vehicles and can achieve comparable lifespans, according to a study published in Nature Energy. The research was conducted by teams from the University of Birmingham, the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), the University of California San Diego, and the University of Bern, Switzerland. This represents a significant milestone in the transition to sustainable transportation.
The study analyzed nearly 300 million UK Ministry of Transport (MOT) test records from 2005 to 2022, providing a detailed assessment of vehicle lifetimes and survival rates across different powertrain types.
While earlier BEVs were less reliable than internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), the researchers found that advancements in technology have enabled modern BEVs to achieve similar lifespans, even under intensive use. The data revealed that BEVs exhibited the fastest reliability improvement, with a 12 % reduction in failure risk (hazard rate) per year of production, compared to 6.7 % for petrol vehicles and 1.9 % for diesel vehicles.
Current BEVs can travel up to 124,000 miles and have an average lifespan of 18.4 years, surpassing the mileage performance of petrol-powered vehicles. The study also identified the most durable brands across categories, with Tesla demonstrating the highest reliability among battery electric vehicles, and Audi and Skoda achieving the best performance among petrol and diesel vehicles.
BEVs offer significant environmental benefits, especially as Europe switches to a more renewable energy mix. Despite higher initial emissions from production, a long-lasting electric vehicle can quickly offset its carbon footprint, contributing to the fight against climate change—making them a more sustainable long-term option.
Robert Elliott, Study Co-Author and Professor, University of Birmingham
He added, “Our findings offer consumers reliable data to make informed decisions about their vehicle purchases, whilst policymakers can use our insights to shape regulations and incentives that promote the adoption of durable and environmentally friendly vehicles and plan ahead their end-of-life treatment.”
Study co-author Dr. Viet Nguyen-Tien from the LSE commented, “Our findings provide critical insights into the lifespan and environmental impact of electric vehicles. No longer just a niche option, BEVs are a viable and sustainable alternative to traditional vehicles - a significant step towards achieving a net-zero carbon future.”
The study highlights the importance of technological advancements in promoting the adoption of electric vehicles. It also provides valuable insights into fleet replacement strategies and efficient recycling processes for electric vehicles at the end of their operational lifespan.
Journal Reference:
Nguyen-Tien, V., et. al. (2025) The closing longevity gap between battery electric vehicles and internal combustion vehicles in Great Britain. Nature Energy. doi.org/10.1038/s41560-024-01698-1