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Palash Taneja

9w

I want to purchase an EV car under ₹15 lakh. My concern is what will happen after 15 years of an EV-can we sell it after so much battery degradation, and is battery replacement worth it after 15 years?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
8w

Battery degradation in an EV is a gradual process, and the battery capacity will not drop significantly for the first few years. However, battery performance by the 15th year could be as low as 50%. 

Replacing an EV battery after the 15th year is an option. But it will not make financial sense, given that the cost of a new battery could be more than the resale value of the entire car. 

This potential high cost of battery replacement is part of the reason why EVs don't hold their value well as compared to a petrol or diesel vehicle. Further, rapid advancements in EV and battery tech make existing solutions outdated more quickly, driving prices down faster. 

As things stand, it is advisable not to buy an EV with such a long-term usage horizon.  

 

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Posted on: 11 Jan 2026