AUTO

Used EVs Are Crushing Myths: New Study Reveals Which Brands Have the Best Battery Health

October 27, 2025

Nearly 80% of used EVs still have over 90% battery health. So much for the myth that electric car batteries wear out fast.
Kia and Tesla landed at the top of the charts, leaving some big-name automakers trailing behind.
Experts say charging habits matter more than brand when it comes to keeping your EV’s range strong.

When you first hear that around 80% of used electric cars still have over 90% of their original battery health… you might blink twice. Yes really. A recent study from Kvdbil (a Swedish used-car broker) analysed data from 1,366 vehicles (723 fully electric cars and 643 plug-in hybrids) and found that 8 out of 10 retained a State of Health (SoH) of over 90%.

So what does that actually mean? The State of Health, or SoH, measures how much capacity a car’s battery still has compared to when it was brand new. So, a reading of 90% means the battery still stores nine-tenths of its original energy. That used EV in your driveway still has plenty of life left in it.

A line of electric vehicles, including a Tesla Model 3, Kia EV6, and other EVs, drives through EV Demo District at Electrify Expo event. — _{Electric vehicles from Tesla, Kia, and others lined up for test drives at Electrify Expo, highlighting strong EV battery health and growing interest.}

Out of all the brands tested, Kia came out on top for keeping its batteries in great shape. Both its electric and plug-in hybrid models performed exceptionally well, holding their charge better than most. Tesla’s Model Y wasn’t far behind, sharing the spotlight with solid contenders like Volvo and Opel. The bigger takeaway here? Those old worries about EV batteries wearing out too quickly are starting to look outdated.

As Martin Reinholdsson, test manager at Kvdbil, stated, “The degradation of a car battery occurs slowly thanks to advanced technology and smart design, including cooling the battery cells. This result busts the myth that used car batteries don’t last long. Even after a few years of use, most rechargeable batteries still have a lot left to give.”

According to Kvdbil’s findings, certain brands and models shine brighter when it comes to long-lasting battery health. Some names might surprise you, while others feel like the usual suspects. After reviewing more than 1,300 cars, here’s how the rankings shake out:

The car brands with the best used battery (based on average State of Health ratings):

Kia
Audi
Opel
Tesla
Mercedes
Peugeot
Volvo
BMW
Volkswagen
Skoda

And when you narrow it down to individual electric cars, these are the ones that hold their charge best over time:

Kia EV6
Kia e-Niro
Tesla Model Y
Opel Mokka-e
Mazda MX-30
Audi Q4 e-tron
Fiat 500e
Volvo XC40 Recharge
Citroen e-C4
Volkswagen ID.4

Plug-in hybrids also performed impressively, with several familiar models proving that good design and careful use make a real difference:

Kia Sportage
Kia Optima
Volvo XC60
Kia Ceed
Volvo V60
Peugeot 3008
BMW 530e
Volkswagen Passat GTE
BMW X1
BMW 330e

Reinholdsson added that driving habits and environment matter just as much as the car itself. “Battery health is affected by age, climate, driving style, and charging patterns,” he explained. “Drivers can extend their battery’s life further with good charging routines.”

Kvdbil shared a few smart habits for keeping your battery in good shape. Try to keep your everyday charge between 20 and 80%, only topping off to 100 percent right before a long trip. Avoid extreme heat and cold when possible. Use fast chargers sparingly. And if your car is sitting unused for more than two weeks, leave it with roughly 40 to 60% charge instead of fully charged or empty.

On the technical side, today’s EVs come with advanced battery management systems (BMS) that monitor temperature, charging speed, and power flow to protect the cells. Combine that with smart user habits, and you get batteries that hold up for years.

_{Volvo XC40 Recharge on display at Electrify Expo with visitors learning about EV battery health and performance.}

Some research even suggests many modern EVs maintain 90% of their range after more than 120,000 miles.

For drivers, this feels less like good news and more like relief. Buying a used EV no longer feels like a gamble on a pricey battery swap. Most are holding strong, giving secondhand buyers dependable range and solid value that lasts well past the warranty.

So next time you hear someone claim that electric car batteries fade too fast, you’ll know better. The data’s in, and it tells a different story.