How to use this calculator
- Enter original usable capacity and annual battery throughput.
- Choose the operating period.
- Enter a relevant cycle-life assumption and calendar fade.
- Calculate total estimated loss and remaining usable capacity.
#1326 · Energy & Environment Tool
EV Road Trip Battery Degradation Calculator
Estimate battery capacity loss for a ev road trip over a selected operating period. The calculator converts annual energy throughput into equivalent full cycles, applies an editable cycle-life assumption, and adds an annual calendar-fade estimate. It reports projected remaining capacity and lost usable energy, helping fleet or route planners compare duty-cycle scenarios without presenting the result as a guaranteed battery-health forecast.
Calculator
Battery aging assumptionsFormula
Equivalent full cycles = annual throughput × years ÷ battery capacity
Cycle loss = cycles ÷ cycle life × 20%
Total loss = cycle loss + calendar fade × years
Cycle loss = cycles ÷ cycle life × 20%
Total loss = cycle loss + calendar fade × years
What the result means
The main result is the estimated percentage of original usable capacity lost after the selected period.
This simplified planning model is not a battery warranty or electrochemical prediction. Temperature, fast charging, SOC dwell, cell chemistry, and management software matter.
Example calculation
An 82 kWh pack with 12,000 kWh of annual throughput over 5 years accumulates 731.7 equivalent full cycles. With 2,000 cycles to 20% loss and 1.5% annual calendar fade, estimated total loss is 14.8%, leaving 69.9 kWh.
Tips for better results
- Use discharged battery throughput rather than grid energy.
- Choose cycle-life data relevant to chemistry and temperature.
- Compare scenarios with lower SOC dwell and lower throughput.
- Update the estimate using measured battery-health records.
Frequently asked questions
Is the battery degradation result a guaranteed prediction?
No. It is a scenario estimate based on the entered cycle-life assumption, depth of discharge, throughput, and time-related fade. Actual battery aging varies.
What does equivalent full cycle mean?
One equivalent full cycle is cumulative battery discharge equal to 100% of usable capacity, even if it occurs across several partial cycles.
How does charging efficiency affect battery cycles?
Cycle aging is based on energy delivered from the battery, not grid losses. Charging efficiency is therefore not part of this throughput estimate.
Can calendar aging and cycle aging simply be added?
This calculator adds the two entered planning components for transparency, then caps remaining capacity at zero. Detailed battery models may combine aging mechanisms differently.
Where should the cycle-life value come from?
Use vehicle, cell, or fleet test data under conditions resembling the intended depth of discharge, temperature, and charging pattern.
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Variables and units
| Input | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Usable battery capacity | Enter in kWh |
| Annual battery energy throughput | Enter in kWh |
| Operating period | Enter in yr |
| Cycle life to 20% loss | Enter in EFC |
| Calendar fade per year | Enter in % |