EV Extended Warranty: What To Know
Extended warranties for electric vehicles aren’t very common, but this guide can help you find one.
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Key Points:
- Federal mandates state that electric vehicles’ batteries must have at least eight years of warranty coverage.
- CarShield is one of the few independent warranty providers that offers plans specially designed for EVs.
- Tesla’s Model S and Model X feature the most generous EV battery warranty coverage, lasting up to 150,000 miles.
Electric and hybrid vehicles are more popular than ever, and the electric vehicle (EV) market continues to grow. As more people own electric vehicles, demand for EV extended warranties also increases. It can be hard to find third-party extended warranties for electric vehicles, so when comparing quotes from providers, be sure to thoroughly read the contracts.
In this article we will discuss what EV extended warranties cover and where to get one. We’ve taken a look at the best extended car warranty companies to help you find the right coverage for your electric vehicle.
An extended car warranty refers to mechanical breakdown coverage offered by a vehicle manufacturer. However, this term is often mistakenly used to describe coverage from third-party companies. Independent providers offer similar protection through vehicle service contracts, but we’ve used the terms interchangeably in this article for convenience.
What Is An EV Extended Warranty?
An extended warranty for an electric vehicle is a prolonged service contract that covers the repair or replacement of certain vehicle components. It works in addition to the standard warranty or it may be purchased before or when the manufacturer warranty expires.
The battery is the most important component of an electric vehicle. Automakers that sell EVs and hybrid cars include special coverage for EV batteries in their new car factory warranties. These warranties cover the cost of repairs or part replacements due to mechanical failure.
Federal regulation requires that carmakers cover electric car batteries for at least eight years, so most manufacturer warranties on electric and hybrid vehicles last 8 years/100,000 miles. Some of these warranties only cover the battery pack in the event of total failure, while others will replace a battery if it drops below a certain charge capacity threshold.
How Do Electric Vehicles Work?
Instead of an internal combustion engine, EVs have an electric motor. These motors are typically powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. In order to “refuel” an EV, the battery pack must be plugged into a power source–usually a wall outlet or other charging equipment.
The key components of electric vehicles include:
- Battery
- Charge port
- DC/DC converter
- Electric traction motor
- Onboard charger
- Power electronics controller
- Traction battery pack
Common Electric Vehicle Repairs
According to a 2023 Consumer Reports study, electric vehicles as a whole aren’t terribly reliable. Hybrid cars were found to be the most reliable, while plug-in hybrids were found to be the opposite.
The most common problems found in electric vehicles are failures of in-car electronics, climate systems, and power equipment. If you own an EV, you may have issues with your electric car’s battery, air conditioning, and other electrical components.
When looking for extended warranty coverage for your electric vehicle, it’s important to read the fine print of any extended service agreement to make sure the provider offers coverage for your EV battery.
Top Electric Vehicle Manufacturers
Electric and hybrid vehicles are becoming a larger part of the auto market, especially since they’re the best cars for a cleaner environment. Here are some of the top manufacturers:
- Tesla: Tesla only makes electric vehicles. The company manufactures three electric sedans, known as the Model S, Model 3, and Model Y. The Tesla Model X is the company’s electric SUV.
- Nissan: The Nissan LEAF® is one of the most popular EVs, and the new ARIYA model offers another electric option.
- Chevrolet: Chevrolet makes the Bolt and released EV versions of the Equinox and Blazer in 2023. An EV Silverado pickup is coming in 2024.
- Ford: Ford’s current EV lineup includes the Mustang Mach-E® and the F-15® LightingTM which is its all-electric truck.
- Volkswagen: The German carmaker’s electric vehicle lineup includes the e-Golf and ID.4. The ID.7 sedan and ID.Buzz van are coming in 2024.
- Kia: Kia offers the EV6 sedan, EV9 SUV, and Niro SUV.
- Hyundai: Hyundai currently offers three electric vehicles–the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, and Kona Electric.
EV Battery Warranty Length
Below are the battery warranties offered by EV manufacturers on new vehicles:
| Manufacturer | Coverage Terms | Guarantee
Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla | 8 years/100,000 miles, 120,000 miles,
or 150,000 miles depending on model | 70% |
| Nissan | 8 years/100,000 miles | 75% |
| Chevrolet | 8 years/100,000 miles | 60% |
| Ford | 8 years/100,000 miles | 70% |
| Volkswagen | 8 years/100,000 miles | 70% |
| Kia | 10 years/100,000 miles | 70% |
| Hyundai | 10 years/100,000 miles | 70% |
What Does An EV Extended Warranty Cover?
Because of federal regulation around the length of factory coverage for electric vehicle batteries, aftermarket warranties on EVs are not very common at the moment. Due to the long factory warranty period, it’s also not typical for EV manufacturers to offer extended vehicle warranties on batteries. However, some automakers do offer extended warranties that protect vital components like the drivetrain and transmission.
Is An EV Extended Warranty Worth It?
Because EV extended warranties are hard to find, it may be more trouble than it’s worth to seek one out. Most EV factory warranties cover the battery for at least eight years, with some automakers offering coverage for up to 10 years. Eight to 10 years is much longer than the length of typical factory warranties on gas cars.
If you want to protect the other components in your EV, you may want to look into bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties. It may help keep your peace of mind if you ever have to take your car to the service center.
Top Recommendations For EV Extended Warranties
It’s currently not too common for third-party providers to offer electric or hybrid battery warranties. However, some of the most reputable extended car warranty companies may have provisions in higher levels of coverage that protect your EV’s battery. It’s best to read through your contract and contact a company representative with any questions.
Endurance: Best Overall
Endurance is a direct provider of extended warranties, so the company handles all claims and payouts itself. Endurance offers six levels of coverage, each with perks like roadside assistance and towing, as well as a full year of Endurance Elite benefits.
Endurance also has a good track record with customers, as evidenced by over 7,000 reviews on Trustpilot. Three-quarters of these reviews are either four or five stars, earning the company an average rating of 3.7 out of 5.0 stars. Endurance also receives 3.64 out of 5.0 stars based on more than 3,740 customer reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website.
Read more: Endurance review
CarShield: Best Flexible Payment Plans
There are a few things we like about CarShield, including its flexible monthly payments and coverage that can last until your odometer hits the 300,000 mark. CarShield features two plans specifically designed for EVs: one that covers the drive unit and another that protects the drive unit and battery pack.
CarShield also receives plenty of positive reviews from customers online. Nearly 15,000 Google reviews leave the warranty provider with a rating of 4.3 out of 5.0 stars. It’s a similar story on Trustpilot, where CarShield holds a 4.2 out of 5.0-star rating based on more than 48,400 reviews.
Read more: CarShield review
EV Extended Warranty: Conclusion
While you receive long-lasting battery protection when you buy a new EV, these vehicles still have wear-and-tear parts like brake pads that need routine maintenance. It may be worth it to find an extended warranty company that offers maintenance packages or mechanical breakdown insurance so you can avoid costly repairs down the road.
EV Extended Warranty: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about electric vehicle extended warranties:
How long is an EV and hybrid battery warranty?
Federal regulation requires that electric and hybrid vehicle manufacturers provide battery coverage for a minimum of eight years. Most EV and hybrid battery warranties range from 8 years/100,000 miles to 10 years/100,000 miles.
How long do EV car batteries last?
Most EV car batteries can last up to 10 years.
Which electric vehicle has the best battery warranty?
Most factory warranties for electric car batteries are similar due to federal regulations setting a minimum of eight years of coverage. Kia and Hyundai offer 10-year/100,000-mile battery warranties, but they can’t quite match the 150,000-mile term of Tesla Models S and X.
How We Rate Car Warranty Companies
Our review team extensively researches extended car warranty providers to deliver informed and unbiased assessments of leading companies. We evaluate several key rating factors that are important to consumers to determine which providers are the best in the industry:
- Reliability: Warranty providers that earn strong ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), work with reliable partners and administrators, and have a long history in the warranty industry score well in this category.
- Coverage Plans: We take a close look at the coverage plans available through each provider, including how many are offered, maximum term limits, plan exclusions, and more. We also evaluate the added benefits companies include with their warranty plans, such as roadside assistance and trip interruption benefits.
- Pricing: Our team performs a secret shopper analysis for a variety of vehicles and coverage plans to get a sense of a provider’s average costs. We see how each company’s pricing, deductible options, and discount opportunities compare to competitors when determining this score.
- Transparency: We evaluate the availability and transparency of each company’s contracts, as well as whether each provider offers a money-back guarantee.
- Customer Experience: We consider customer reviews and complaints from sites like the BBB and Trustpilot. Our team also reaches out to customer service reps during our secret shopper analysis to get a sense of the customer experience with each company.
