EV Battery Warranty: Years, Miles and Capacity by Brand
Battery coverage is the longest warranty on an electric or hybrid car. The fine print on capacity loss decides whether a weak pack gets replaced.
Most electric car batteries in the US are warranted for 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first, and Hyundai and Kia go to 10 years or 100,000 miles. Tesla covers its packs for 8 years and 100,000 to 150,000 miles depending on the model, and pays if capacity drops below 70% in that time. Hybrid batteries often carry similar or longer terms, such as Toyota’s 10 years or 150,000 miles.
The key detail is what counts as a failure. Some warranties cover only defects, while others also cover capacity loss below a stated percentage.
How long is a typical EV battery warranty?
Eight years or 100,000 miles is the most common term for battery-electric cars sold in the US, as of November 2026. That is far longer than the 3 to 5 years of basic coverage on the rest of the car. Our guide to bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties covers the other factory warranties.
| Brand | EV battery warranty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hyundai | 10 years / 100,000 miles | Longest common term among mass-market brands |
| Kia | 10 years / 100,000 miles | Same term as Hyundai |
| Tesla | 8 years / 100,000 to 150,000 miles by model | Covers capacity below 70% during the term |
| Rivian | 8 years / 120,000 to 175,000 miles by model and generation | Battery and drivetrain term varies by version |
| Lucid | 8 years / 100,000 miles | Listed with the powertrain coverage |
Terms change between model years and sometimes between trims, so the warranty booklet for your exact car is the only reliable source. Hyundai and Kia warranties also have rules about which owners get the full term, so used buyers should check the transfer terms.
Does the warranty cover battery capacity loss?
Only if the warranty says so. All lithium-ion batteries lose some capacity over time, and a defect-only warranty may not pay for a pack that still works but holds less charge.
Warranties that do cover degradation set a threshold. Tesla’s is 70% of original capacity during the warranty term. If the pack falls below that line, the automaker repairs or replaces it, often with a remanufactured pack or new modules rather than a brand new unit. The restored pack only has to meet the threshold, not match its original range.
The Department of Energy’s fueleconomy.gov notes that EV batteries may last 12 to 15 years in moderate climates and 8 to 12 years in severe ones. Many packs outlast their warranties, but a failure outside the term can be expensive.
What are hybrid and plug-in hybrid battery warranties?
Hybrid batteries are smaller and cheaper than EV packs, but many brands still warrant them for 8 years or 100,000 miles or longer. Toyota extended its hybrid battery warranty to 10 years from first use or 150,000 miles starting with 2020 models, and the coverage transfers to later owners. Other hybrid parts, such as the inverter and hybrid control module, carry a shorter Toyota term of 8 years or 100,000 miles.
In California and the states that adopt its emissions rules, many hybrids certified to the strictest standards come with 10-year or 150,000-mile coverage on the hybrid battery. The same model sold elsewhere may have shorter coverage, so check which state’s emissions label the car carries. Our comparison of hybrids and plug-in hybrids covers how the two differ day to day.
What federal and California rules set these terms?
No federal law requires a specific warranty on EV batteries. Federal emissions warranty rules cover emissions parts on gasoline and hybrid cars: most for 2 years or 24,000 miles, and certain major components such as the catalytic converter and engine computer for 8 years or 80,000 miles. Battery-electric cars have no tailpipe emissions parts, so automakers set battery terms on their own.
California went further. Its Advanced Clean Cars II rules call for an 8-year, 100,000-mile battery warranty with a 70% capacity floor on zero-emission vehicles from the 2026 model year. Those rules depend on a federal waiver that Congress voted to revoke in 2025, and California went to court over it. As of November 2026, the warranty the automaker writes in your booklet is what you can count on.
What can void or limit a battery warranty?
Battery warranties exclude damage and misuse, just like other coverage. Common exclusions include crash and flood damage, damage from fire not caused by a defect, repairs or modifications by unauthorized shops that cause the failure, and opening the pack.
Some warranties also require software updates and set rules about charging equipment or long storage at very low charge. Following the owner’s manual protects your claim. A dealer still has to show that an aftermarket part or outside repair caused the problem before denying coverage, under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. Our explainer on what voids a car warranty covers those limits.
How do I make a battery warranty claim?
Start with the dealer or the automaker’s service center, and bring records.
- Note the warning lights, error messages and the range loss you see, with dates and mileage.
- Check the warranty booklet for the term, the capacity threshold if any, and the original in-service date.
- Book a diagnostic visit at an authorized service center and ask for a written battery health report.
- If the claim is denied, ask for the reason in writing and escalate to the automaker’s customer relations line.
- If the problem keeps coming back, your state’s lemon law may apply on a newer car.
Bottom line
Expect 8 years or 100,000 miles on most EV batteries, and 10 years at Hyundai and Kia. The capacity threshold matters as much as the years and miles, so look for it before you buy, especially on a used EV.
FAQ
Does an EV battery warranty transfer to the next owner?
Usually yes, for whatever time and mileage remains from the original in-service date. Some brands set different terms for later owners, so check the booklet.
How much battery capacity loss is normal?
Some loss in the first years is expected, and it often slows after that. A warranty with a 70% threshold covers loss below that level during the term.
Does fast charging void the battery warranty?
EVs are built to use public DC fast chargers, and using them as the manual describes is normal use. Read the booklet for any charging rules, since frequent fast charging can add some wear, and our guide to the cost to charge an EV compares home and public charging.
What does a battery replacement cost out of warranty?
Costs vary widely by model, pack size and whether the shop replaces modules or the whole pack. Get a written quote from an authorized service center, and ask about remanufactured packs.
