Study Finds Uneven Cell Aging Wastes Up to 27% of EV Battery Capacity
A new study published in Nature Energy reveals that uneven aging among individual cells significantly shortens the lifespan and reduces the usable capacity of electric vehicle battery packs. Researchers analyzed real-world data from passenger cars and buses, finding that a small number of rapidly degrading cells can force an entire pack to retire early, leaving substantial energy resources unused. The findings suggest that current battery management strategies may not fully account for cell-to-cell inconsistencies, leading to premature end-of-life determinations.