How much does a car battery hold

I’m still deciding between an EV and a hybrid, and my only hesitation is the extended range that the gas engine will allow. I probably just need a better understanding of how the battery works. Like, how much power does an electric car battery hold?

Answer provided by

Hopefully, this will give you some clarity. Newer electric cars hold between 24-100 kWh of power.

First, it’s essential to understand that the amount of energy contained in an electric car’s battery pack is the battery capacity. Battery capacity is measured in kilowatt-hours.

For perspective, the average vehicle only requires 20-30 kilowatts to keep a consistent motion at highway speeds. And a 60 kWh battery can allow the car to travel up to three hours.

Modern electric cars have a battery capacity between 24 - 100 kWh. So at the very least, a 24kWh battery will hold enough energy to drive for up to an hour.

Hybrid or electric, whatever you decide, Jerry can help you save money on car insurance. A licensed broker, Jerry does the hard work of finding cheap quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies and buying new car insurance. Jerry will even help you cancel your old policy.

And to ensure you always have the lowest rate, Jerry will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal, so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price. This level of service is why Jerry earned a 4.6/5 rating on the App Store and made it the top insurance app in the country.

Browse More Content

What others are asking

Read advice from car experts at Jerry

Browse by topics

Car Insurance by Make

Car Insurance by State

Updated: July 16, 2022

The 12-volt battery in your car stores the electric power to start your engine. When the engine is started, the alternator generates the electric power and recharges the battery.

A new battery has a full capacity or ability to hold charge. It can store enough charge to power electrical system when the car is parked for many days and turn over your engine multiple times. Over time, howvever, the battery loses its capacity.

One cold mormimg, the old battery will not be able to start your car. When is the right time to replace the car battery? The battery needs to be replaced when it can no longer hold enough charge to safely start your vehicle in any weather.

How long do car batteries last?

On average, a 12 Volt car battery lasts from 5 to 7 years. The battery lasts longer if the vehicle is driven daily and the battery is kept fully charged. When the vehicle is parked for extended periods of time, the battery deteriorates sooner.

The size of the battery matters too: larger batteries last longer. We have seen larger batteries last more than 10 years. The quality of the battery is also important. Some cheaply-made batteries are known to fail after only 2 or 3 years.

What are the signs of a bad car battery?

• When the battery's capacity becomes low, you might notice that the engine turns over slower, not as eagerly as before when starting the car in the morning.
• The dash lights may dim when starting the vehicle.
• When you operate your power windows after the engine is turned off, the windows move much slower than when the engine is running.
• If your old battery needs to be boosted after the car was parked for a few days, it's also the sign that it has low capacity and need to be tested or replaced soon.
• The lights become darker when the engine is idling, but become brighter when the engine is revved.
• If the car has an electric power steering, a lack of power steering assisst when the engine is just started can also be caused by a weak battery.
• Excessive corrosion at the battery terminals and cables (see the photo) also suggests that the battery is getting weaker.

Can the battery capacity be tested?

Yes, the battery capacity is typicaly measured in CCA or Cold Cranking Amps. A new average-size battery like the one in the top photo is rated between 520 and 650 CCA.

Many automotive repair shops can test your battery with a battery tester (in the photo). The battery tester can measure the actual CCA and compare it to the new battery CCA rating. The battery CCA rating is marked on the battery itself, see the photo.

The battery tester can also test the alternator and the charging system. Read more about the charging system: When does the alternator need to be replaced?

The battery and charging system test, also known as the AVR test, costs from $20 to $50. Some auto parts stores such as Autozone or O'Reilly Auto Parts offer a battery test at no charge. Many car dealers and repair shops often offer a free battery test as a part of a larger service or a seasonal promotion.

After the test, you might get a printout showing the battery CCA rating and the measured CCA. The printout will indicate if the battery should be replaced or if it's in good condition. It may show that the battery needs to be recharged first and then re-tested. See the sample printout in the photo.

Can you test a battery with a voltmeter?

The battery voltage is an indicator of the state of charge of the battery. A fully charged battery should read 12.6 volts or more with the engine off. However, even an old failing battery with low capacity will show 12.6 volts when fully charged.

To test the capacity of the battery, the battery voltage needs to be tested under load. The longer the battery can hold the voltage under load, the larger its capacity.

For example, if the fully-charged battery voltage with the engine OFF and headlights ON drops from 12.6 volts to less than 11.5 volts in a couple of minutes, the battery's capacity is low. If the battery voltage with engine OFF and headlights ON stays close to 12 volts even after 10 minutes, the battery is good.

Does the 12 Volt car battery need any maintenance?

Most modern cars have maintenance-free batteries. When you take your car for an oil change, your mechanic will inspect the batttery visually. If the battery terminals show corrosion as in the photo, your mechanic may recommend servicing battery terminals.

The battery terminal service costs from $25 to $60. It includes cleaning the battery posts and terminals and applying a protective spray or grease.

How much does the battery replacement cost?

A new car battery costs from $140 to $550 and your dealer may charge another $30-$50 to have it replaced. Replacing a car battery as a do-it-yourself project is not very difficult, but the battery is heavy (30-45 lb). Lifting it out of the car can be hard on your back. An old battery is often covered in electrolyte, which is very acidic and can burn your clothes or skin. Here is a video from O'Reilly Auto Parts.

Our recommendation is to leave it to the pros. Some cars require a specific battery type. To make sure, check the vehicle owner's manual or consult with your local dealer.

Where to recycle an old car battery?

Some automotive repair shops and car dealers will accept your old battery for recycling. For example, you can find the nearest place to recycle your old battery at the Interstate Batteries website.

How long is the battery warranty?

In most cars, the battery is covered under the basic bumper-to-bumper warranty. In some cars, the battery coverage is pro-rated. This means, for example, the labor might be fully covered, while the part might be covered 100 percent within the first year, 50 percent within the second year and so on. You can find the warranty coverage details in your Warranty Guide brochure, or on the manufacturer's website.

How to boost a car when the battery is low on charge?

To boost a car, you will need a portable booster or jumper cables to boost from another car. Your owner's manual has the proper instructions. Be careful, if the booster cables are connected to wrong terminals, it may cause a big spark and some fuses and other electrical components could be fried.

How long does it take to recharge a good battery that is low on charge?

If the battery is still good, 20-40 minutes of running the engine or driving is usually enough to recharge it. However, be aware that in some cars with electric power steering, the steering assist might not work properly until the battery is sufficiently charged. This can make driving with a low battery dangerous.
If a good battery has not been used for an extended period of time and is completely drained, it might need longer time to recharge.

How does the car battery work?

The car battery works by storing the chemical energy that can be converted into electric energy. During charging, the opposite conversion happens.

Most cars have lead-acid batteries that are made of six cells. Each cell has lead plates connected to the negative terminal of the cell and lead-oxide plates connected to the positive terminal of the cell. Each cell produces 2 Volts. The six cells connected in series to produce 12 Volts. Cells are filled with an electrolyte (diluted sulfuric acid).

What is the capacity of a car battery?

How long will car battery hold a charge?

How do I know the capacity of my car battery?

How long will a 12