How Significant is the Battery Capacity Decline in Electric Vehicles After One Year?

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The trend of electric vehicle usage continues to increase over time. However, behind its growing popularity, concerns about battery performance decline remain a focus for many prospective consumers.

EVSafe founder Mahaendra Gofar explains that battery degradation in electric vehicles occurs gradually and is generally within normal limits. According to him, the average decline in EV battery capacity is only around 1-2% per year.

He states that electric vehicle batteries actually consist of hundreds to thousands of small cells that work together to store energy. The number of cells varies depending on the battery type and the vehicle’s capacity.

“The number of cells in one battery pack can be very large. Some have hundreds, others up to thousands of cells, depending on the design and battery type,” he said.

Gofar explains that not all cells in the battery pack experience performance decline at the same time. Some cells degrade faster, while others continue to work optimally.

“The degradation is not always uniform. Some cells decline in performance more quickly, and others more slowly,” he stated.

He mentioned that this condition is a natural process in lithium-ion batteries due to ongoing chemical reactions during the charging and vehicle usage process.

In addition to usage age, factors such as temperature, charging habits, and driving style also influence the rate of electric vehicle battery degradation.

Nevertheless, modern battery packs are now equipped with a battery management system (BMS) that monitors the condition of each cell in real time.

This system helps maintain operating temperature, balance voltage, and regulate current distribution to keep battery performance optimal.