Battery Degradation Cost
Calculate the economic cost of battery capacity loss over your planned ownership period.
Last updated:
What this tool does
This calculator applies compound degradation to estimate the monetary value of battery capacity lost during ownership. It requires four inputs—original capacity (kWh), annual percentage loss, battery replacement cost, and ownership duration—and returns the cost of degraded capacity as a fraction of replacement cost. The method assumes constant percentage loss per year; real-world degradation may vary with usage patterns and temperature.
Compare scenarios
Continue with your figures
These calculators share inputs with this one. Change a value above and your figures travel with the link, in the part of the URL your browser never sends to a server.
Total Cost of Ownership Calculator
Cost of OwnershipCalculate the full lifetime cost of owning a car, including depreciation and running expenses.
Tyre Replacement Cost Over Ownership
Cost of OwnershipCalculate total tyre replacement cost across your ownership period based on mileage and tyre life.
EV vs ICE Maintenance Cost
EV vs ICECompare EV and petrol car maintenance costs over your ownership period.
Brake Replacement Cost Over Ownership
Cost of OwnershipCalculate total brake pad and disc replacement costs over your ownership period based on mileage.
Insurance Cost Projector
Cost of OwnershipProject total insurance cost across ownership years using a compound annual change rate.
Second-Life Battery Resale Value
EV vs ICEEstimate the resale value of a used EV battery pack based on remaining usable capacity.
How the result changes
This input can't be charted across its full range — the formula has no valid result for most of it. Pick another input above.
Export Report
How would you like to export your results?
Share
Preview
Result
—
❮ ❯ switch fields·− + change value
0
Formula
How Battery Degradation Cost works
This tool estimates the economic value of capacity lost as an electric-vehicle battery ages. It multiplies the fraction of capacity lost over time by the cost of a replacement battery pack. The output is a single currency figure representing the notional depreciation of the battery asset, useful for comparing total ownership costs or resale-value adjustments.
The formula
The calculator applies compound annual degradation:
Remaining fraction = (1 − annual_loss / 100)years
Lost fraction = 1 − remaining fraction
Degradation cost = lost fraction × replacement cost
For example, a 64 kWh pack losing 2.3% per year over 8 years retains 82.8% of its capacity; the 17.2% lost multiplied by a £9,000 replacement cost yields £1,529.
Where this method is most accurate
The compound-loss model fits EV batteries experiencing relatively steady calendar and cycle ageing. It works best when the annual loss rate reflects empirical data from the specific chemistry and usage profile. Accuracy depends on realistic inputs: aggressive fast-charging, extreme climates, or deep daily cycles can accelerate degradation beyond typical percentages cited by manufacturers.
What this tool does not do
The calculator does not predict degradation rate—users must supply the percentage from warranty documents, third-party studies, or fleet data. It does not account for non-linear ageing (early rapid loss followed by plateau), temperature effects, or warranty coverage that may replace the pack at no cost. It also ignores the possibility of cell-level refurbishment, which can restore capacity at lower cost than full replacement.
Disclaimer
This tool is for educational and comparison purposes only. It does not constitute vehicle purchasing advice, battery warranty interpretation, or financial guidance. Actual degradation and replacement costs vary by manufacturer, model year, usage, and geographic market. Always consult manufacturer specifications and warranty terms before making ownership decisions.
Questions
- What does 'capacity loss per year' mean?
- It is the percentage of total pack capacity the battery loses annually, compounded. A 2.3% loss means the pack retains 97.7% of the previous year's capacity each year, not 2.3 percentage points off the original.
- Where can I find realistic degradation rates?
- Manufacturer battery warranties often guarantee a minimum state-of-health after a set period (e.g. 70% after 8 years), from which an average annual rate can be back-calculated. Third-party studies of fleet data also publish typical rates for specific models.
- Does this calculator account for warranty replacement?
- No. It assumes the owner bears the full cost of lost capacity. If a warranty covers degradation below a threshold, the actual economic loss may be zero or reduced.
- Why use replacement cost instead of original pack cost?
- Replacement cost reflects the current or future market price of a battery, which tends to decline over time. Using today's replacement price gives a conservative estimate; using projected future prices (if available) may improve accuracy for long ownership periods.
- Can I use this for hybrid batteries?
- Yes, provided the inputs match the hybrid pack's capacity and known degradation profile. Hybrid batteries often degrade differently due to shallower cycling and different chemistries, so annual loss rates may differ from pure EVs.
Spotted something off?
Calculations or display — let us know.
Report a Problem
Help us fix issues faster
Sources & Methodology
Applies compound annual degradation: remaining_fraction = (1 − annual_loss/100)^years; cost = (1 − remaining_fraction) × replacement_cost. The method treats degradation as a geometric decay, common in lithium-ion aging models. Sources: battery warranty disclosures and academic aging studies.
Related tools
EV vs Petrol Total Cost (5yr)
Compare total cost of ownership—purchase price, fuel, and depreciation—for EV vs petrol over 1–20 years.
Charging Time Calculator (kW input)
Calculate EV charging time from any start % to any target %, given battery size and charger power.
EV vs Petrol Fuel Cost
Compare annual electric vs petrol fuel costs using your efficiency figures and local energy prices.
EV Charging Cost Per Mile
Calculate the electricity cost to drive each mile in your EV based on efficiency and your kWh rate.
Battery Replacement Cost Projection
Project the future cost of an EV battery replacement using annual price-decline rates.
Public vs Home Charging Cost
Calculate your annual EV charging cost when you split between public chargers and home electricity.
People also use
Monthly Car Payment Calculator
Financing & PurchaseCalculate your monthly car loan payment from loan amount, APR, and term in months.
Fuel Cost for a Journey
Fuel & EfficiencyCalculate the total fuel cost for a journey from distance, MPG, and fuel price per litre.
Loan vs Lease Comparison
Cost of OwnershipCompare total cost of buying on finance versus leasing over different terms and buyout scenarios.
Braking Distance Calculator
Performance & EngineeringCalculate total stopping distance from speed, road friction and driver reaction time.
Long Road Trip Total Cost
Practical & UtilityCalculate total fuel, lodging, food, and toll expenses for a multi-day road trip.
Depreciation % Retained Calculator
Resale & DepreciationCalculate what percentage of its original value a car has retained after depreciation.