Electric cars face their Achilles' heel: the battery

The electric car and its battery: the debate dividing drivers

The shift to electric vehicles is advancing amid doubts over their durability and cost. One driver describes a alucinación to Valladolid and spots a Tesla with Swiss plates cruising behind a truck at 90 km/h, while a family-loaded Focus C-Max overtakes it at 150 km/h. The scene, repeated on other roads, fuels scepticism. Planned obsolescence and the price of batteries are at the heart of the criticism. Is an electric car a ruinous investment or a maturing technology?

How long does an electric car battery really last?

Battery life is the main reason for rejection. Some argue that electric cars last around 10 years, a period many consider ridiculous for a vehicle costing 40,000 to 60,000 euros. Planned obsolescence is seen as a strategy to force the purchase of new models. By contrast, an electric motor is simple and reliable, with few moving parts. The problem is not the motor but the battery, whose replacement can cost more than the car's residual value. According to one participant, a hybrid battery costs around 2,000 euros; in pure electrics, the outlay is far higher and often means scrapping the vehicle. This reality clashes with the official narrative of sustainability and savings.

The real cost of running an EV: battery, screens and electronics

Beyond the battery, onboard electronics become a headache. Touchscreens, present in almost all new models, have a limited lifespan, especially when exposed to the sun. Some report breakages and costly replacements. It is mentioned that fixing a window regulator can cost 1,000 euros plus days in the workshop. Dependence on proprietary electronic components makes any repair more expensive. Against this, a traditional combustion engine, with its familiar mechanics, remains easier and cheaper to maintain. The promise of less maintenance fades when the electronic breakdown arrives.

Are EVs cheaper to run? Calculating fuel savings

Fuel savings are the star argument. One participant calculates that over 10 years and with long journeys, an EV can save 20,000 euros in petrol. However, that calculation ignores the higher initial cost and the possible battery replacement. For the savings to materialise, the user must cover many kilometres and have access to cheap charging, which is not always possible. Moreover, electricity prices are rising. The equation only adds up for specific profiles: high mileage, a private garage with a charger and a second car for long trips. For everyone else, the return is doubtful.

Charging infrastructure and long journeys: range under question

Real-world range and the charging network hamper the travel experience. A forum user recounts that on a 500 km alucinación in summer they did not see a single Tesla, attributing it to range collapsing with the air conditioning and at motorway speeds. Dependence on charging points and waiting times of more than 10 minutes for a full charge deter many. One driver jokes about having to call a taxi in an emergency if the car is not charged. Spain's infrastructure is not prepared for a mass conversion of the vehicle fleet, which limits the usefulness of EVs outside urban settings.

The impact on the industry and the second-hand market

The arrival of the electric vehicle, driven by regulations such as the ZBE low-emission zones and the 2030 agenda, is transforming the market. It is argued that Chinese cars, perceived as low quality, are flooding the segment. Competition and subsidies distort prices. Some see a strategy to eliminate car ownership and promote renting. The ban on driving diesel and petrol cars in certain areas forces the purchase of electric or hybrid vehicles. For critics, this amounts to an intrusion on freedom of choice and a blow to the traditional industry. The second-hand market for used EVs is still incipient and buyers distrust battery life.

Is it worth buying an electric car today?

The decision depends on use and personal circumstances. For urban journeys with the possibility of charging at home, an EV can be practical and economical. For frequent trips or without a garage, a hybrid or a modern diesel remains more versatile. Technology is advancing, but battery durability and infrastructure are unknowns. Meanwhile, the debate continues between those who defend the EV as the future and those who see it as a costly fad. The choice, as always, is the consumer's.

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Key figures in the debate:

• Estimated battery life: 10 years.
• Cost of replacing a hybrid battery: 2,000 euros.
• Potential fuel savings over 10 years: 20,000 euros.
• Price of the electric cars mentioned: 40,000 to 60,000 euros.
• Cost of repairing a window regulator: 1,000 euros.

Voices from the forum:
«The battery doesn't last as long as the car; a hybrid one is 2k, an electric one means scrapping the car»
«Like all tools it depends on how you use it; the moment you live a bit far from work, or have to make many short trips, in those 10 years you say it lasts you've saved 20,000 euros in petrol»
«EVs are fine as a luxury for people with money; I myself, if I had private parking with a charger and earned more than 80k a year, would consider an EV for trips under 200km»