For years, Kiwi buyers have been taught to fear high‑kilometre cars — and for petrol vehicles, that fear made sense. Engines, gearboxes and exhaust systems accumulate wear with every kilometre, which is why high‑km petrol cars often come with higher running costs. Electric vehicles flip that logic on its head. EVs have far fewer moving parts, meaning they don’t suffer the same odometer‑driven mechanical wear. In fact, modern EVs consistently show lower drivetrain wear over time, and the real determinant of value isn’t kilometres at all — it’s battery health. [autotrader.com]
So how well do EV batteries actually hold up? Large studies paint a reassuring picture. Analysis of more than 7,000 EVs shows most batteries retain over 80% of their capacity after around 200,000 km, far exceeding early fears about rapid battery decline. Likewise, data from 22,700 vehicles across 21 models found an average yearly degradation rate of just 2.3%, heavily influenced by climate and charging habits rather than kilometres alone. Even high‑mileage EVs driven more than 175,000 miles (280,000 km) still deliver around 85–87% of their original range. Put simply: a well‑looked‑after EV can clock up big numbers without losing big range. [electrive.com], [evboosters.com] [geotab.com] [recurrentauto.com]
New research is also debunking the idea that petrol cars “last longer.” A UK study analysing hundreds of millions of MOT records found that battery‑electric vehicles now match petrol cars for lifespan — around 18.4 years — and even exceed them in total lifetime mileage. In other words, modern EVs aren’t just keeping up with their petrol counterparts; in many cases, they’re outlasting them. For New Zealand drivers, our mild climate and growing AC‑charging habits make battery wear even gentler than in hotter regions. [asme.org], [visor.ph]
When it comes to buying used, here’s the simple rule: buy the battery, not the odometer. A high‑km EV with documented strong battery health is often a safer, cheaper‑to‑run choice than a lower‑km petrol car loaded with mechanical wear. Yes, EVs still depreciate quickly in their early years, but that’s driven by fast‑moving tech and market incentives — not because high kilometres make them “worn out.” For most Kiwi buyers, that means opportunity: if the battery checks out, a high‑km EV can be one of the smartest purchases on the lot. [blackbook.com], [podenergy.com], [carbuzz.com]