EV battery health remains high even after vehicles have racked up 100,000-plus miles on the road, new analysis has found.

Arval is the first leasing company to offer a battery health certificate for its used EVs

Arval – which says it’s become the first leasing company to offer a battery health certificate for its used EVs – carried out an in-depth study on the health status of its electric vehicle batteries.

The analysis checked out 8,300 battery health certificates for used EVs sold by Arval from March 2023 to November 2024. The study, carried out across EVs from 30 different brands, revealed battery longevity well beyond manufacturer warranties.

The average battery health as tested was 93% while the vast majority (98%) were above 80%.

The research also found the average battery state of health of an EV after driving 70,000km (43,000 miles) was 93% and even vehicles with 200,000km (124,000 miles) and more had a battery health status close to 90% on average.

The study follows research carried out by Geotab last year that found EV batteries degrade, on average, by 1.8% per year and should now last 20 years or more on average.

By issuing battery health certificates and leveraging the insights from this analysis, Arval aims to reassure buyers of used EVs about battery performance after several years of use, removing one of the barriers to their adoption.

The leasing and mobility firm is also calling on others in its sector to continue work and generalise the use of battery health certificates.

Gary Burns, remarketing director at Arval UK, said: “In the UK, state-of-health of the battery is an important factor for our buyers – both consumers and motor dealers. In 2024, we began testing on our used EVs at some UK sites, with around 1,400 used cars going through this process so far.

“Our solution displays the data the car holds on its current state of battery health to show how much of the battery capacity is still usable. The information can then be shared with our customers so they have a current view of the performance of the battery.

“As a growing number of customers transition to battery electric vehicles, it’s vital that we’re transparent throughout our sales processes. Battery health is an important factor when it comes to electric vehicles, so buyers need access to clear, accurate details. This initiative does that, and is a key part of our broader commitment to electric vehicle education and supporting our customers in making sustainable, informed choices.”

Battery health remains a top concern for would-be EV buyers. A study published in March by Axa found nearly two-thirds (63%) of UK motorists have no plans to buy an electric vehicles, with more than a third (37%) saying concern over battery lifespan is one of the main reasons.

As the first leasing company to offer a battery health certificate for EVs when reselling them, Arval aims to both reassure its customers about battery performance after several years of use and encourage the purchase of used electric vehicles by removing one of the barriers to their adoption.

Via a dedicated interface, Arval’s used vehicle buyers have access to a QR code for each vehicle, allowing them to generate the battery health certificate. This certificate indicates the battery capacity percentage compared to its new state, as well as the calculation of the range in mileage depending on the type of journey (urban, highway, mixed) or weather conditions. The battery health certificates for Arval’s used electric vehicles are generated by Moba and Aviloo; specialists in battery evaluation that are among the only three companies approved by the Car Remarketing Association Europe (CARA).

To date, there is no official standard calculation method for evaluating battery levels at the European level, so Arval is using CARA’s expertise, which offers an independent evaluation and certification of battery health. This certificate reassures buyers about the residual values of electric vehicles, thereby facilitating their resale on the used market.

Bart Beckers, chief commercial officer, Arval, said: “This analysis, along with the issuance of electric vehicle battery state of health certificates, fully illustrates Arval’s expertise and commitment to accelerating the energy transition. By providing concrete insights, they help remove barriers and change perceptions that can hinder the re-sell of electric vehicles. A transparent approach is essential to build consumer trust and to stimulate a still-developing used market.”