A new study based on nearly 10,000 real-world battery tests found significant differences in how fast EV batteries degrade across chemistries. Tesla models equipped with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries stood out for their long-term capacity retention — outperforming their nickel-based counterparts in the same vehicle lineup.
Overall Rankings: Kia and Hyundai Lead the Pack
Among all vehicles evaluated, the Kia e-Niro (64 kWh) topped the chart with an average battery health of 97.25%.
The Hyundai Kona (64 kWh) came in second at 97.18%, followed by the Kia EV6 (77.4 kWh) at 95.95%.
Every vehicle in the top 20 retained at least 91% of its original battery capacity past 62,000 miles.
Notably, the top three EVs all use NMC chemistry — but their battery management systems appear tuned for longevity over peak performance or fast charging.
Rank |
EV Model |
Avg. Battery Health Past 62,000 mi (%) |
|---|---|---|
1 |
Kia e-Niro – 64 kWh |
97.25 |
2 |
Hyundai Kona – 64 kWh |
97.18 |
3 |
Kia EV6 – 77.4 kWh |
95.95 |
4 |
Volvo XC40 Recharge – 69 kWh (CATL) |
94.70 |
5 |
Polestar 2 – 78 kWh (CATL) |
94.35 |
6 |
BMW i3 – 120 Ah |
93.77 |
7 |
Polestar 2 – 78 kWh (LG Chem) |
93.53 |
8 |
Tesla Model 3 – 60.5 kWh (CATL LFP) |
93.34 |
9 |
Audi e-tron 50 – 71 kWh |
93.02 |
10 |
Audi e-tron 55 – 95 kWh |
92.93 |
11 |
Skoda Enyaq iV – 77 kWh |
92.88 |
12 |
Tesla Model 3 – 78.8 kWh (LG Chem) |
92.83 |
13 |
Tesla Model S – 96 cells |
92.80 |
14 |
Volkswagen ID.4 – 77 kWh |
92.77 |
15 |
Skoda Enyaq iV – 77 kWh |
92.60 |
16 |
Tesla Model X – 96 cells |
92.52 |
17 |
Volkswagen ID.4 – 77 kWh |
92.27 |
18 |
Tesla Model Y – 78.8 kWh (LG Chem) |
92.18 |
19 |
Audi Q4 e-tron – 77 kWh |
92.18 |
20 |
Volkswagen ID.3 – 58 kWh |
91.79 |
How Tesla Models Stack Up — and Why Battery Chemistry Matters
Four Tesla models made the top 20, but their rankings vary significantly depending on battery supplier and chemistry.
The Model 3 with CATL's 60.5 kWh LFP pack ranked No.8 at 93.34% — the highest of any Tesla in the study.
Here's how the rest compare:
Model 3 (LG Chem, 78.8 kWh NMC) — 92.83% — Rank No.12
Model S (96-cell pack) — 92.80% — Rank No.13
Model X (96-cell pack) — 92.52% — Rank No.16
Model Y (LG Chem, 78.8 kWh NMC) — 92.18% — Rank No.18
When the Model 3 is broken down by battery supplier, the gap becomes even more striking:
Tesla Model 3 Battery |
Chemistry |
Avg. Health Past 62,000 mi (%) |
|---|---|---|
CATL |
LFP |
93.3 |
LG Chem |
NMC (nickel) |
91.5 |
Panasonic 77.8 kWh |
NCA (nickel) |
89.8 |
Panasonic 52.4 kWh |
NCA (nickel) |
88.2 |
The gap in capacity retention between the best- and worst-performing battery variants of the same Tesla model approaches five percentage points, underscoring the critical importance of battery chemistry selection.
One of the study's most noteworthy findings is that Panasonic's NCA cells—long regarded as Tesla's premium high-performance battery option—show the most pronounced capacity degradation at high mileage. This challenges the widely held assumption that high-energy-density nickel-based batteries are inherently more durable over the long term.
Why LFP Chemistry Holds Up Better Over Time
LFP batteries trade some energy density for a set of meaningful advantages:
Lower cost per unit
Greater thermal stability
Tolerance for regular 100% charging
By contrast, Tesla recommends keeping nickel-based batteries at 80–90% daily charge to reduce wear.
That difference in charging behavior compounds over tens of thousands of miles — and shows up clearly in the retention data.
These findings align with both a Tesla-funded study and multiple independent teardown analyses, all confirming that LFP chemistry ages more gradually at high mileage.
Tesla's LFP Push: Cost-Cutting That Accidentally Benefited Owners
Tesla originally adopted LFP cells to cut manufacturing costs and reduce dependence on scarce nickel.
But owners ended up with a bonus: longer battery life.
The momentum continues:
CATL recently launched its third-generation Shenxing LFP battery, with significantly improved charging speeds.
Tesla has committed to expanding LFP production in the US, signing a $4.3 billion deal with LG to build an LFP cell factory in Michigan.
Industry-Wide Battery Health Is Improving
Carla's findings align with broader industry data.
Fleet analytics firm Geotab, drawing from a dataset of over 22,700 vehicles, found that average annual battery degradation has improved to roughly 1.8% per year — enough to support a battery lifespan of 20+ years, outlasting the vehicle itself.
Tesla's own data shows that Model 3 and Model Y Long Range batteries lose approximately 15% capacity after 200,000 miles, with most degradation happening early and the curve flattening over time.
For context: the average American driver covers 13,500–14,500 miles per year, meaning it takes 4+ years to reach the study's mileage threshold.
The takeaway? Modern EVs hold up well at high mileage. That said, usage habits still matter. These behaviors accelerate degradation:
Frequent DC fast charging
Regularly letting the battery drop near 0%
Habitually charging to 100% on nickel-based packs
What This Means If You're Buying a Used EV
The study reinforces the advice to check battery health before buying a used EV — but the overall picture is encouraging.
Most modern EVs retain over 90% of their original capacity after several years of use. Tesla battery health, in particular, is becoming a smaller concern than many used car buyers expect — though chemistry still matters.
For used-car shoppers, a battery health check is still a smart move — especially for older vehicles with early-generation chemistry.If you're considering a used Tesla, our What You Need to Know Before Buying a Used Tesla: A Complete Guide covers battery health, service history, warranty, and other key factors to check before making a purchase.
One caveat for Tesla buyers: accessing that data has gotten harder. Last year, Tesla removed the battery health diagnostic from the in-car service menu, making it less straightforward to pull this information directly from the vehicle.