Are EV batteries lasting long enough to give customers confidence to lease cars like the new Mercedes CLA EV 45 Saloon?

Customer confidence to lease cars like the new Mercedes CLA EV 45 Saloon - Are EV batteries lasting long enough? 

The old stories about moving into electric cars often focused on the shelf life of the battery. What do we do in 5 - 10 years when the batteries runout? How does the automotive industry manage the significant degradation of the batteries?

With the onset of mass EV adoption in 2019 / 2020, the understanding and technology of EV batteries was not what it is today. Without the same economies of scale and confidence, there was very much a concern that EVs would lead to customers having worthless vehicles after 5 - 10 years of ownership. But is this really happening in reality?

As discussed within this Auto Express article, the "truth" behind battery performance is being revealed and the truth of what is happening, is perhaps not what we all expected. The battery testing experts AVILOO have conducted some significant research in-keeping with their products and services. This overview on how used EVs are performing makes for some great reading if you are really concerned about the future of your car. The key points include:

• More than 500,000 results analysed from 2022 to 2026 and this included at least 20 electric car models
•  Data is diverse, with vehicles in North and South America, Europe, Australia and Asia included
•  State of Health (SoH) can vary by up to 13.5 percentage best and weakest examples of the same model within the test

•  Smaller batteries, which need more frequent charging cycles age faster
•  Most batteries within the test did not drop more than 10% on the battery SoH for the first 50,000km (or 31,000 miles)

In the real world, what does this mean for the buyers, or those leasing, a used electric car? Essentially, even at  50,000 km the impact on the battery health and SoH can vary according to a number of factors. The mileage, or odometer, reading is not, on its own, sufficient to work out how the vehicle will perform.

With increasing mileage, say at 100,000 or 150,000, this will lead to even greater discrepancies. Driver behaviour, charging behaviour and general wear / tear are going to influence the battery efficiency. However, it still needs to be pointed out that some of the batteries reviewed within the data were losing less than 3 – 5% of their original battery capacity within the 50,000km.

With many electric car leasing contracts based on 3 and 4 years for 8 – 10,000 miles per annum, this goes to show the battery quality making its way through the UK auctions should still be offering a not so different performance from when they were new.

This is why the move towards battery testing and certification, which our EVA partners are pushing, is becoming more integral. With pressure on the Government to do this, especially with Andy Burnham's arrival,  we may see greater levels of honesty and data in the used EV sector.

The obvious importance to the customer in this situation is showing them the original real-world range and using the degradation to set out the new anticipated performance. Confidence is very much reliant on good and honest data to ensure that UK leasing customers buy into this.

While the seller of the vehicle may offer this to you, private individuals can use the AVILOO FLASH Test (or similar) to wholly understand the proposition. But with an EV battery degraded no more than a combustion engine, what do we have to fear with the next generation of motoring?

Discover more about the Mercedes CLA EV 45 Saloon electric car lease

For Mercedes, this continued good news is a significant boost at a time when they are launching a number of “e-performance” vehicles. The latest in this line-up is the new CLA 45 E Performance, a compact yet powerful AMG EV heading to the UK leasing market.

Starting from £66,750 OTR the new CLA will include key highlights like the AMG-specific front, option Performance grille with illumination, AMG-specific rear, precision-engineered Performance seats, a 3 axial motor drive train concept (with 680hp), individual paints like the Graphite Grey Magno matte paint and a whole host of technical features.

Some of the main highlights are the Smartphone Integration, Drive Parking Assist, 400V and 800V charging system DC, grey brake callipers, AEROKINETICS spoiler, panoramic roof and sports seats. For further overview, head to the Mercedes website to read more.

The model being pushed by Mercedes is the £78,300 Premium Plus 45 4Mathic+ electric. The standard equipment includes the AMGFORCE 4D sound, panoramic roof, Burmester sound, MBUX Superscreen, AEROKINETICS rear spoiler, AMG Night Package and Night Package II, climatised front seats.

MBUX navigation, facial recognition, flush-fitting door handles, HUD, keyless-go, memory package, mirror package, pre-safe system, wireless mobile phone charging, 20” alloys, dark tinted glass, multibeam LED, heat pump, leather, winter pack, sound personalisation, adaptive high beam assist plus, MD.Drive standard, 360 degree camera, Dynamic Plus package and the ride control suspension.

Key colours include the polar white, cosmos black, aqua mint, sapphire blue, graphite grey magno, alpine grey and Patagonia red.

Add extra options like the exterior lighting package for the illuminated grille and Mercedes star and the matte tech gold alloys.

How does the new electric CLA AMG perform?

• 45 4MATIC+ - this AWD Saloon will have an 94kWh usable battery which will offer 0 – 62 times of 3.0 seconds, 168mph top speeds and 500kW (or 671hp). Expect a combined winter range of 295 miles with warmer weather allowing for 410 miles – a combined 350 miles. On charging, the 11 kW AC max will allow 10 hour and 15 min 0 – 100% charging times with the 330 kW DC maximum allowing 22 minute 10 – 80% times. A cargo volume of 390L is available with this car. It has a vehicle fuel equivalent of 151mpg. This EV will have no Bidirectional charging. Towing is not confirmed. The heat pump is standard. 

Want to know more about going into this performance electric car?

Head to our dedicated  Mercedes-Benz CLA special offers  section or speak to our experts directly on 01942 910 001 or by emailing us at e[email protected]