Electric cars are gradually conquering the automotive market, vying for increasing ubiquity and the title of a real alternative to internal combustion vehicles. The battery for an electric car, which is one of its most important and at the same time most expensive parts, determines the range of the car and translates into the vehicle's capabilities. We explain what types of batteries there are for electric cars, what their lifespan depends on and how much you should pay for them.
Battery types for electric cars
The battery for an electric car is one of its main parts, on which depends, among other things, the distance the car is able to travel on a single charge and the price of the vehicle (it is estimated that the cost of the battery is around 30-40% of the amount to be paid for an electric car). It should be noted at the outset that the terms battery and rechargeable battery are not the same - a rechargeable battery is designed to be reusable as a result of recharging with electricity, which cannot be said of a battery. Although the terms differ, they are very often used interchangeably, which is also applicable in this article.
The different types of batteries for electric cars differ in their use of different chemical elements, as well as their weight and service life. The most common battery types used in electric vehicles are lithium-ion and nickel-hydride batteries. Lithium-ion batteries for the car are primarily distinguished by their high 'energy density', i.e. long life with relatively low battery weight. An electric car powered by a lithium-ion battery is able to travel up to several hundred kilometres without recharging. What is more, this type of battery is relatively durable and reduces the occurrence of the so-called memory effect, i.e. the shortening of the battery's operating time as a result of recharging before the stored energy is completely exhausted. Lithium-ion batteries are not only used in the automotive industry, but also in the electronics industry, such as in the manufacture of smartphones and laptops.
Rechargeable batteries for electric cars are also based on the previously mentioned nickel-metal hydride cells, which are heavier and also less expensive compared to lithium-ion batteries. Batteries of this type have a relatively long service life, but they suffer from memory effects more often than lithium-ion batteries, which in practice means that they need to be charged regularly. However, manufacturers of hybrids using nickel-metal hydride batteries have found a solution to this problem: the battery automatically recovers energy from the vehicle's braking, so that the so-called memory effect is not a problem for the car user. These batteries are relatively resistant to high temperatures, but cars powered by both lithium-ion and nickel-hydride batteries use a number of cooling systems to protect the individual cells from overheating, so that the components used are not dangerous even in extreme conditions.
How long do batteries in electric cars last?
The battery of an electric car can last for an average of 15-20 years, during which the vehicle will cover around 240,000-300,000 kilometres, but over time its capacity decreases. Electric car manufacturers usually offer their customers a guarantee of 8 years of battery life - Renault, for example, uses such a solution, providing 160,000 kilometres of trouble-free driving with a battery capacity of at least 70% in the Zoe model. A significant number of e-car manufacturers also cover them with a 2-year unlimited mileage warranty.
Driving an electric car for a total distance of around 300,000 kilometres, which translates into nearly 1,000 charging cycles, can reduce battery life to 70-80% of the original battery capacity. However, it happens that even after driving an electric car for several hundred kilometres, the parameters of its battery do not drop to a level that prevents the vehicle from operating freely. When the capacity of the battery is close to 70-80% of its original value and it is not able to power the vehicle, it can be used as stationary energy storage and only later, after about 30-40 years, be recycled.
Is the battery for an electric car a failure?
Batteries have been protected against failures by, among other things, installing cooling systems, but in order for the cells to remain in good condition, several factors that negatively affect their condition must be avoided. Whether an electric car battery will last depends largely on the operating conditions of the car. Batteries are harmed by high temperatures, which can result not only from weather conditions but also from intensive use of the vehicle (which involves a rapid process of discharging and recharging the battery), as well as by long breaks in car use, particularly if the battery is then completely discharged.
Using fast chargers can shorten the life of the battery, especially if the air temperature is high outside. The battery for an electric car, due to its location (manufacturers of most electric cars place the batteries flat in the chassis of the cars), can also be damaged by a vehicle collision. Nowadays, even if a possible battery failure occurs, repairing it is not as complicated as it might seem. It is true that the cost of replacing a battery in an electric car is an expense of at least several tens of thousands of zloty, but it is very rare that the entire battery needs to be replaced - it is usually only necessary to replace individual cells.
Car manufacturers use modular batteries, the repair of which is based on the replacement of individual parts. Tesla and Audi, among others, have opted for this solution and often use remanufactured battery components for repair purposes, a method that is not only cost-effective, but also more environmentally friendly. Battery reconditioning for electric cars involves a comprehensive diagnosis of the battery, followed by the care of the components and the replacement of only those parts that have deteriorated. Undoubtedly, such a service is much cheaper than buying a new battery for an 'electric car', but the price depends on many factors, including the extent of the fault and the type of battery. 
Types and ways of charging batteries for electric cars
The battery for an electric car can be charged in various ways. The cheapest and at the same time safest method for the condition of the battery is to use domestic sockets with a standard mains voltage of 230 V. Charging a battery using current from a domestic socket takes a relatively long time, but there is nothing to prevent you from leaving your car in the garage overnight. Admittedly, this will not be enough to fully charge the battery, but it will work well for recharging the vehicle on a fairly regular basis.
The process of recharging the battery at home can be speeded up by using a special wall charger, or wallbox. Typically, the use of a Wallbox system allows the battery to be charged with a current of 16 A, which is sufficient to fully charge the battery overnight.
Using the electric car charger available at charging stations, on the other hand, is the fastest way to power an electric car. With a power output of 50 kW, a few tens of minutes are enough to fully charge the car, but individual stations also offer chargers with higher outputs, enabling electric car users to charge even faster. However, you have to reckon with the fact that this option is not only the fastest, but also quite expensive.
Battery prices for electric cars
New batteries for electric cars are an expensive investment of tens of thousands of zloty. For a battery for the popular Nissan Leaf, you need to pay almost PLN 100,000, while according to BMW's offer, a battery for the i3 model costs almost PLN 80,000. The production of batteries for electric cars involves the exploitation of deposits which are difficult to access, such as lithium, nickel or cobalt, which translates into high battery prices. However, it is anticipated that the amount to be paid for electric vehicles will fall, not least due to the development of electromobility and the increasing use of the recycling process in battery production.
Electric cars are controversial due to the carbon footprint of their production and the use of the previously mentioned rare metals. However, it should be emphasised that the electromobility market is booming and electric car battery manufacturers are promising a drop in their prices. We can therefore expect the popularity of electric cars to grow rapidly over the next few years.
