What mileage is too high for a used electric car?

Asking what mileage is too high became a thing of the past when we are talking about electric cars. For decades, 100,000 miles was considered a major benchmark for gasoline cars, as this was often when moving parts started to degrade. However, for EVs, mileage no longer reveals as much about the vehicle’s condition, because the focus shifts toward battery health and overall efficiency. EVs may surpass 200,000 miles while still maintaining their original battery capacity. So, when choosing the best used electric car, the focus should be on the relationship among mileage, remaining battery capacity, operating climate, and charging habits.
In the blog below, we will discuss what high mileage looks like on modern EVs, what to look for when you are going to shop for a used electric car, and what the initial signs are that they are nearing to its end.

Understanding the Different Types of Electric Vehicles

There are 4 main types of electric vehicles:

1. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) – It is 100% electric car which rely on a massive onboard battery pack to power one or more electric motors. As it doesn’t have gasoline engine as a moving part, it is a zero-emission automobile. For used car buyers, it is a great advantage, because when mileage adds up, they don’t need to worry about the mechanical impact on the car, as it has very few moving parts that deteriorate with high mileage.
2. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) – this type contains both a high-capacity electric motor and a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE). Hence, it brings peace of mind to buyers who are struggling to decide between traditional gasoline and electric cars. On the other hand, owners keep in mind that they should maintain two separate powertrains, which means you’ll still need to think about the mileage, account for oil changes, spark plugs, and exhaust systems alongside battery health checks.
3. Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) – It is a self-charging hybrids due to the regenerative braking. Every time you apply the brakes, the electric motor acts as a generator, recovering energy that would otherwise be lost as heat and storing it back in the battery. You get better fuel efficiency, no dramatic lifestyle change; however, still follow the maintenance routine for certain mileage milestones.
4. Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) – it is more like the future of electric vehicles. It carries a tank of pressurized hydrogen gas, which is converted into electricity in real time through a “fuel cell stack.”

Which types of cars dominate the future global market?

According to Automotive Industry Portal MarkLines, the automotive industry is going toward electrification. The share of traditional ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles is expected to decline significantly and represent only a small portion of the market by 2035. BEVs are positioning themselves as the dominant mobility solution throughout the 2030s. Hybrid technologies will still remain one of the most desirable options during this transition period. They serve as practical intermediate solutions for consumers who are not yet ready to fully switch to electric vehicles.

How Mileage Affects Used EV Prices?

Mileage still affects EV resale prices, but not in the same way as it in the case of gasoline cars. Buyers pay less attention to engine wear and focus more on battery health, charging habits, and remaining resources. For example, used EV buyers prefer a high-mileage EV with a healthy battery to a low-mileage alternative with a degraded battery.
Major reasons why those electric cars may lose value faster are the following:

• Rapid technology improvement – Electric automobiles rely on advanced technology. In the world of electric vehicles, newer means better: faster charging, longer range, and smarter software. Consequently, older models face steeper depreciation as they struggle to keep pace with the industry’s rapid technological gains.
• Age and Battery reputation/capacity – automotive industry reports show that some EVs depreciate by 50-60% in the first 5 years. However, it depends on the brand: for example, the approximate price of the new Tesla Model 3 is $35,000, and the 5-year used price is – $20,000, so this model depreciates by 43%. On the contrary, the initial price of Nissan Leaf is $32,780, the typical 5-year price will be $3,500, which means it loses value by 89%.
• SOH battery reports – Those reports are one of the biggest pricing factors for EV buyers. The reports measure batteries’ remaining capacity and power capability compared to their initial condition. For example, 70-80 % capacity indicates that the car is near its end.

In the following paragraph, you will learn to identify the signs that EV is near its end.

What are signs a car is nearing its end?

In gasoline cars, a 150,000-200,000-mile threshold is the major indicator that the automobile is near the end of its lifespan due to the potential engine failure. On the contrary, a „too high“ mileage milestone may not be the reason for an alert for EV; there are several indicators that hint that the end of the lifespan is near.

The state of the battery health report is negative

SOH (State of Health) is a measurement that displays the overall condition and remaining capacity of the vehicle compared to its brand-new counterpart. 100% SOH means that the battery performs like new. Hence, the driving range is an initial.

For example, if the initial driving range is 500 km:

• At 90% SOH, the battery delivers around 450 km
• At 70% SOH, the battery delivers around 350 km.

Inconsistent charging

Over time, EV battery loses its capacity, so drivers need to charge them more often than previously. Another case is when the charging is slower and the vehicle struggles to maintain stable charging sessions.

Electrical faults

Sensor failures, software faults, and constant battery alerts are unarguable signs that the electrical system has issues and expensive repairs are necessary.

Harsh climate conditions

The climate conditions where the electric automobile operates are very important. All types of extreme climate conditions harm the overall health of the electric vehicle. For example, extreme heat is the enemy of battery health. High humidity causes component corrosion.

Thermal management system failure

This system is one of the important factors you should look for if you want to determine how well the battery has aged. Two types of systems are typical in EVs: Passive Cooling (Air-Cooled) and Active Cooling (Liquid-Cooled). In a hot climate, these batteries degrade faster than in cooler climates. As for the Active Cooling system, it is more advanced and therefore, more complex to maintain.

Significantly high mileage

We say that „too high“ mileage is not always a red flag for electric cars, unlike gasoline vehicles. However, a 100,000-150,000-mile milestone is a potential red flag depending on the current battery condition. After 200,000 miles, a diagnostic and routine check is a must.

Is age more important than mileage?

In the case of electric vehicles, age is often more important than mileage due to the rapid pace of technological advancement. Because EVs rely mainly on advanced technology, newer models can make older ones feel outdated within a relatively short period of time.

What is the best testing device for your EV?

Mileage blocker is one of the best testing devices you can use for your EV. You can use the tool to test the performance of the automobile without recording additional miles. Mileage blocker from Super Kilometer Filter can halt the mileage recording process from all control unit without leaving the trace. The tool is available for most maker and models, for gasoline and electric vehicles. Mileage blocker from SKF is an outstanding device on the market due to its special qualities:

• It comes with a mobile application
• Easy DIY installation and fast removal
• Doesn’t cause any flaws in the CAN Bus system
• It is legal in most countries in a controlled environment
• Has different modes to choose from

You can shop for the Mileage blocker directly from the SKF website. If you have additional questions regarding the device, the support team is available to answer them.

Takeaway

To sum up, there is no mileage milestone when an electric vehicle is too bad to purchase. EVs are usually affected by battery health, charging habits, maintenance history, climate history and overall technology. So, if you are going to switch from a gasoline vehicle to an EV, consider all the above-mentioned before making the final decision.