Battery degradation has long been one of the biggest fears surrounding EV ownership.
A lot of buyers still worry that an electric car will lose huge chunks of range after a few years.
However, a new report suggests that fear may be seriously overblown.
This could be great news for used EV shoppers.
EV Range Is Actually Improving Fast
According to new data from Recurrent Auto, the average EV range has climbed significantly in recent years.
The average 2026 model-year EV now offers around 325 miles of range. That’s a major jump from the 261-mile average seen in 2020.
Even compared to 2025, when the average sat at 293 miles, the improvement is noticeable.
Better aerodynamics, thermal management, and battery efficiency are helping drive those gains.
Battery Degradation Is Much Lower Than Many Expected
This is where things get interesting. Recurrent found that three-year-old EVs retain roughly 97 percent of their original range, and after five years, that average drops only slightly to around 95 percent.
That means a 300-mile EV could still deliver roughly 285 miles of range after five years of ownership, which is far better than many buyers assume.
Some EVs Are Actually Beating Their Original Range
One surprising finding from the report is that some EVs are outperforming their original EPA estimates.
Recurrent says roughly 68 percent of 2023 model-year EVs are exceeding their original rated range in real-world use.
That can happen thanks to software updates, efficiency improvements, and smarter battery management systems.
Software Is Doing A Lot Of Heavy Lifting
Modern EVs often keep a portion of battery capacity in reserve, which helps protect long-term battery health.
As cells degrade over time, battery management systems can adjust how power is distributed across the pack.
Over-the-air updates can also refine charging behavior, range estimates, and efficiency over time.
Fast Charging Is Improving Too
Charging speeds have improved significantly as well, and some newer EVs can now add around 100 miles of range in roughly 10 minutes.
Brands like BYD are already pushing things even further with ultra-fast charging systems that are dramatically cutting wait times.
Good News For Used EV Buyers
This report could make used EVs far more appealing.
Many buyers avoid older EVs because they assume the batteries are heavily degraded.
If real-world data continues to show minimal range loss after several years, used EV prices may start looking even more attractive.
The timing is perfect, as thousands of off-lease EVs begin flooding the used market over the next few years.