Survey finds EV battery concerns may be overblown
A leading Australian used vehicle auction specialist says concerns over used electric vehicle battery longevity may be a thing of the past, based on its own research and battery health check process.
Concerns about the longevity of used electric vehicle batteries may be misguided according to leading Australian auction specialist Pickles, which has found vehicles that have travelled more than 100,000km retain healthy batteries.
The latest Pickles Quarterly Automotive Report draws on the company’s own data which shows that used EVs maintain more than 90% battery health, even after driving 120,000km.
Pickles said its EV Battery Health Assurance Process has tested more than 250 vehicles across major Australian cities, with findings that show even four-year-old EVs average at least 93% battery health.
The survey found that average battery health exceeds 90%, even for vehicles with more than 120,000km on the odometer.
Hyundai EVs tested showed an impressive 99.31% battery health, with BYD closely following at 98.62%, both surpassing Tesla's long-standing benchmark.
Pickles claims to be Australia’s leading re-marketer of EVs, having sold a record 334 EVs in 2024, up from 115 in 2023.
Most of Pickles’ used EVs are sourced from state governments, fleet companies and corporations, with 50% of used EVs entering the private market via mum-and-dad buyers.
Used EVs popular with buyers at auction
Chief Commercial Officer at Pickles Fraser Ronald said private buyers were leading the charge, with 51% of EVs sold at Pickles going to individual customers, compared to just 24% for petrol and diesel vehicles.
He said the findings around battery health could have major impacts for the resale value of EVs and help improve consumer confidence in EV purchases.
“These results provide some of the first insights available in the Australian market are in relation to used EV battery health,” Mr Ronald said.
In 2024, Australians purchased a record 91,292 new EVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) representing 7.4% of the total 1,237,287 new vehicles sold.
The Tesla Model Y was Australia’s best-selling EV with 21,253 sales, followed by the Tesla Model 3 (17,094), MG4 (6934), and BYD Seal (6393).
The Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA) recently reported that the used EV market experienced significant price drops in 2024, driven by advancement in battery technology, aggressive OEM discounting and increased competition form Chinese manufacturers.
As a result, the AADA reported that one-year-old used EVs lost 25% of their original value, compared with hybrids of the same age that retained 98.3% of their original value.
But, with growing variety, falling prices, and a surge in supply driven by the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemption, Pickles is forecasting the used EV market to be stronger and more accessible in 2025 and beyond.
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