Electric car batteries
Everything you need to know about electric car batteries
Electric mobility Sustainable mobility
Technology and innovation are making electric vehicles increasingly efficient, providing greater range and providing a more viable pathway towards lower-emission mobility. Discover how electric car batteries work, the types that exist and why they are a fundamental part of electrifying transport.
Batteries are the heart of electric vehicles and one of the key technologies driving the transformation of mobility. Innovation in energy storage has enabled continuous improvements in their capacity, efficiency, safety and lifespan, allowing electric vehicles to offer greater range and better performance. This technological evolution is contributing to accelerating the electrification of transport, and advancing towards a lower-emission mobility model, supported by increasingly sustainable energy solutions.
What is an electric car battery?
The battery is the component that stores the electrical energy needed for a vehicle to move. Rather than using fuels like petrol or diesel and an internal combustion engine, electric cars use this stored energy to power an electric motor.e
As with other electronic devices, such as mobile phones or computers, batteries consist of thousands of cells working together to store and supply energy efficiently.
Although electric cars are one of their best-known applications, this technology is also present in other modes of transport such as motorcycles, buses, lorries and e-bikes
How does an electric car battery work?
An electric car battery works in a very similar way to a mobile phone battery, but on a large scale. During charging, it stores energy in thousands of small electrochemical cells – usually lithium-ion – and when the vehicle starts moving, it supplies this energy to the electric motor to generate movement.
While driving, charged particles (ions) move between the battery's two electrodes through a conductive medium, generating the electric current that powers the motor and drivesf the wheels. When the vehicle is plugged into a charging point, the process is reversed: the ions return to their original position, and the energy is stored once again.
In addition, electric cars take advantage of regenerative braking, a system that recovers part of the energy normally lost when braking and returns it to the battery. This system helps improve the vehicle's energy efficiency and allows better use of each charge.
What are electric car batteries made of?
Currently, most electric vehicles use lithium-ion batteries, a technology notable for its energy storage capacity, efficiency and durability. Although they are named after the role lithium plays in their operation, these batteries combine a number of materials, including nickel, manganese, cobalt, iron and graphite. The proportion of each varies depending on the type of battery and the required performance.
At the same time, alternatives such as sodium batteries are continuing to be developed, which could reduce dependence on certain critical minerals and expand options for specific applications. There is no "perfect" battery composition: each technology aims to balance factors such as energy storage capacity, charging speed, safety, cost, lifespan and material availability.
Indeed, research into new materials is one of the main drivers of innovation in the energy storage sector. The goal is to develop batteries that are increasingly efficient, safe and have a lower environmental impact, while also being more compact and lightweight. These advances will be key to reducing costs and making electric cars more accessible, as well as facilitating the electrification of other modes of transport where battery sizes and volume remain a challenge, such as maritime transport.
Types of batteries for electric vehicles
Although lithium-ion batteries currently predominate, various chemical compositions exist, each offering specific advantages in terms of capacity, safety, cost or durability.
Among the most widespread technologies are:
- NMC batteries (nickel, manganese and cobalt): A type of lithium-ion battery widely used in electric vehicles. They stand out for offering high energy density, resulting in greater range and lower weight.
- LFP batteries (lithium iron phosphate): Also lithium-ion, but without nickel or cobalt. They are cheaper, very safe and have a very long lifespan, making them increasingly popular in urban cars designed for daily use.
- Sodium batteries: These use this abundant material derived from common salt instead of lithium. They are emerging as a very promising alternative that could lower production costs and make shorter-range urban electric vehicles more affordable.
- Solid-state batteries: These replace the traditional liquid electrolyte that carries the charge with a solid material. They represent one of the most promising areas of research to increase range, reduce charging times and improve electric vehicle safety.
No single technology is best for every use. The coexistence of different solutions makes it possible to adapt cost, range, durability and charging speed to the needs of each type of vehicle, while innovation continues to drive solutions that bring us closer to sustainable mobility.
How much range does an electric car have?
Range indicates the distance a vehicle can travel on the energy stored in its battery. Currently, commercial models offer a wide selection: from urban vehicles with ranges of between 200 and 300 kilometres, to mid-range and premium cars that can exceed 500 kilometres on a single charge.
This figure mainly depends on the battery's capacity (measured in kilowatt-hours or kWh) and the vehicle's energy consumption. However, a vehicle's real-world range is not fixed and is influenced by various factors:
How long does an electric car battery last?
Electric vehicle batteries are designed to provide a long service life and maintain their performance for many years. Many manufacturers design their systems to last between 10 and 15 years (or from 160,000 to 240,000 kilometres) while retaining at least 70% to 80% of their original capacity. In fact, standard manufacturer warranties usually cover this threshold for eight years.
As with smartphone batteries, over time and with charge and discharge cycles, these batteries undergo gradual degradation. However, cars incorporate advanced battery management systems (BMS) and thermal control systems, which monitor and protect the cells from overheating and extreme cold, slowing down this wear.
In addition, drivers can follow a few simple habits to extend battery life:
- Prioritise slow charging: Reserve direct-current fast charging for long trips and rely on alternating-current slow charging points for daily use.
- Maintain optimal charge levels: For everyday use, many experts recommend keeping the battery within mid-range charge levels, avoiding long periods completely discharged or at 100%.
- Protect the car from extreme temperatures: Parking in the shade in summer or in a garage during winter helps preserve cell health over the long term.
Thanks to innovation in materials and management systems, batteries can be used to their full potential during their lifespan in the vehicle. When their capacity is no longer sufficient for transport, they can still have a second life in stationary storage applications, such as storing electricity generated by solar panels in homes and businesses. These reuse options and the subsequent recycling of their materials support a truly sustainable mobility sector and a circular economy.
Electric car batteries, allies of the future energy system
The role of electric vehicle batteries goes far beyond providing energy for transport; they are set to become a key element in transforming the entire global energy model.
Thanks to the development of bidirectional charging technology (known as Vehicle-to-Grid or V2G), electric vehicles can communicate intelligently with the network to offer more flexible energy management. In the future, millions of connected cars will be able to operate as small distributed storage systems: charging their batteries during peak renewable generation – such as the sunniest or windiest hours of the day – and feeding part of that electricity back into the network, or to the home itself, during times of higher demand.
This ability to absorb surplus power and supply energy when it is needed most will not only facilitate the large-scale integration of clean energy sources but also improve the efficiency and stability of the entire electricity network.