Recurrent: 2023 Electric Vehicles Retain 91% Range After 240,000 Kilometers

A groundbreaking empirical study released by Recurrent, a globally renowned electric vehicle data analytics company, reveals for the first time, using large-scale real-world usage data, the significant advancements in electric vehicle battery technology in China and globally: 2023 model year electric vehicles maintain an average range retention rate of 91% after 240,000 kilometers, far exceeding the 81% level of models from a decade ago. This data is not an ideal laboratory value, but is based on long-term operational statistics of nearly 1,000 real user vehicles, marking a shift from "range anxiety" as a technical bottleneck to a historical memory.

1. Study Core: Where Does the 91% Range Retention Rate Come From?

Data Source: Recurrent analyzed approximately 1,000 2023 model year electric vehicles that had traveled over 240,000 kilometers, comparing their range capabilities at the time of manufacture, using actual road test data rather than official CLTC/EPA rated values.

Technological Breakthroughs: Upgraded battery chemical formulations, intelligent thermal management systems (such as liquid cooling + heat pump), and optimized charging buffer strategies collectively achieve "slow degradation and stable output."

Striking Comparison:

2012 electric vehicles (such as the Nissan Leaf): Only about 81% of range remaining after 240,000 kilometers;

2023 electric vehicles: 91%, equivalent to nearly halving the degradation rate in ten years;

Dramatic Drop in Replacement Rate: For models produced after 2022, the battery replacement rate is as low as 0.3%, compared to 2% for 2017-2021 models and as high as 8.5% for earlier models.

✅ Key Conclusion: The batteries in 2023 electric vehicles have evolved from "consumables" to "lifetime assets."

2. Overview of Mainstream Vehicle Configuration Parameters (2023 Models)

The following are the official configurations of mainstream models participating in this research. All are equipped with a new generation of battery systems, and their range performance and durability highly match the research conclusions:

💡 Note: The above data are based on the manufacturer's official CLTC conditions. Actual use is affected by temperature and driving habits, but 2023 models generally maintain stability within the 85%-95% range, which is highly consistent with the Recurrent research.

3. Real User Experience

Although some owners report reduced range at low temperatures or high speeds, long-term user feedback shows significant differentiation:

Positive Cases:

Beijing owner: A 2023 Model Y has driven 210,000 kilometers, and the winter range on a full charge remains stable at over 380km (originally rated at 435km), with a degradation rate of approximately 12.6%.

Shenzhen taxi driver: A BYD Han EV has driven 260,000 kilometers. After replacing the battery pack once, the range remains at 500km+, with no anxiety during daily commutes.

Key Consensus:

Users who primarily use slow charging and avoid fast charging at extreme temperatures generally have a battery health (SOH) above 90%;

Users who frequently use supercharging (>3 times/week) may experience 8-10% degradation in 3 years, but this is still better than models before 2015;

The modular design of the battery makes single-cell replacement possible, and the cost has been reduced to several thousand yuan, moving away from the "whole pack replacement" era.

4. Future Outlook

In the past, electric vehicle users were most afraid of "battery degradation"; now, the batteries of 2023 electric vehicles have the engineering reliability to last for ten years without replacement.

With the gradual implementation of solid-state batteries and dry electrode technology, new cars after 2025 are expected to achieve a 95%+ range retention rate after 200,000 kilometers.

5. Car Buying Advice

Prioritize models with lithium iron phosphate batteries + 800V platform + intelligent BMS. Maintain daily charging between 20%-80%, avoid long-term full charging, and use the remote preheating function in winter. Your battery will last you for the next ten years.