Electric battery warranties: confidence included

A gradual reduction in battery energy content over time is a normal feature of high voltage batteries and does not constitute a warrantable defect.  However, high voltage batteries in new BEVs and PHEVs (excluding mild hybrids) are warranted against excessive loss of net battery energy content (i.e. if the battery energy content measures below 70%) as detailed below. No battery energy content degradation warranty exists for 12 volt batteries, 48 volt batteries, or any batteries used in mild hybrid vehicles.

Like most lithium-ion batteries we use every day, such as in our smartphones, the capacity of batteries in electric vehicles will reduce over time through use and charging. This is important to keep in mind when comparing new and used electric vehicles on our website, as the capacity of a used battery will be lower than the capacity of a new battery.

The reduction of battery capacity through use, charging and time is called ‘degradation’.  For battery electric cars, degradation is affected by many variables such as charging speed, driving style, charging volume, temperature etc. As a battery ages the capacity will reduce, which means that the battery may need to be charged more frequently and the range achievable in real life may decrease. Reduction in battery capacity is one of a number of features that may affect resale value.

You should not rely on new car performance figures (including battery capacity and range) in relation to used vehicles with older batteries, as they will not reflect used vehicle performance in the real world. 

All Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles approved used BEV’s will receive a multipoint check and a battery health certificate, this will display the current battery health status (stating if it is below 70%). Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles manufacturer warranty covers battery degradation to 70% over a period of 8 years or up to 100,000 miles (whichever comes first).

For new BEVs, the battery energy content degradation warranty lasts for 8 years or up to 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.  Where the battery energy content of the high voltage battery is measured by a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles authorised repairer and is found to be less than 70% during the warranty period, then it will be repaired or replaced under warranty subject to the following:

The reduction in battery energy content must not have been caused by factors outside the Manufacturer’s control including, but not limited to:

• the tampering, removal or re(installation) of the high voltage battery by unauthorised parties;
• the high voltage battery not being used, handled, charged or maintained as recommended by the Manufacturer in the owner's manual;
• the high voltage battery coming into direct contact with open fire; or
• the high voltage battery coming into contact with excessive amounts of water including through cleaning with high pressure cleaners or liquids being applied directly to the high voltage battery.

The repair will bring the performance of the high voltage battery back to the following state, depending on the mileage / age of the vehicle at the time of diagnosis:

• Up to a maximum of 40,000 miles or three years after first registration (whichever comes first), the energy content of the high voltage battery will be repaired so that it measures a minimum of 78% of the starting value.
• Up to a maximum of 60,000 miles or five years after first registration (whichever comes first), the energy content of the high voltage battery will be repaired so that it measures 74% of the starting value.
• Up to a maximum of 100,000 miles or eight years after first registration (whichever comes first), the energy content of the high voltage battery will be repaired so that it measures 70% of the starting value.

For new PHEVs (excluding mild hybrids), the battery energy content degradation warranty lasts for 5 years or up to 100,000 miles, whichever comes first, for the first customer who owns the vehicle only. This warranty is not capable of assignment or transfer to subsequent vehicle owners. Where the battery energy content of the high voltage battery is measured by a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles authorised repairer and is found to be less than 70% during the warranty period, then it will be replaced or repaired so that it measures a minimum of 70% of the starting value, or replaced under warranty subject to the following:

The reduction in battery energy content must not have been caused by factors outside the Manufacturer's control including, but not limited to:

• The tampering, removal or re(installation) of the high voltage battery by unauthorised parties;
• The high voltage battery not being used, handled, charged or maintained as recommended by the Manufacturer in the owner's manual;
• The high voltage battery coming into direct contact with open fire; or
• The high voltage battery coming into contact with excessive amounts of water including through cleaning with high pressure cleaners or liquids being applied directly to the high voltage battery.