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Electric battery vehicles warranty

Lithium-ion batteries are - just like everything else in this world - subject to a natural process of ageing and wear. The correct usage of the battery can, however, make a considerable contribution towards maintaining its condition and thus its capacity. The lifespan and performance of a lithium-ion battery also depend on other exterior factors, such as the ambient temperature. Volkswagen provides a warranty to customers buying a new electric vehicle that covers the customer if the usable capacity of the battery falls below 70%, under normal use, over a period of eight years or up to 100,000 miles (whichever comes first), subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions set out in the warranty. This will provide you with reassurance for the future and shows how important the mobility of tomorrow is to us.

Electric battery vehicles warranty terms

All the terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations of the new vehicle warranty apply to electric vehicles save for the provisions set out in this section which apply exclusively to electric vehicle batteries. Where there is any conflict between this section and the rest of the warranty, the provisions of this section on electric vehicle batteries will take precedence.

Your vehicle may contain one of several types of batteries. The warranties that apply to those batteries are explained below. All warranties commence on the date of handover to the first customer or the date of first registration (whichever comes first).

Warranty against Manufacturing Defects

The batteries for battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug in hybrid vehicles (PHEV) are warranted against all defects in materials and workmanship for eight years or up to 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.

The 12 volt batteries, 48 volt batteries, any batteries used in mild hybrid vehicles and the high voltage batteries used in hybrid vehicles are warranted against all defects in materials and workmanship for 3 years or up to 60,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Warranty against battery energy content degradation

A gradual reduction in battery energy content over time is a normal feature of high voltage battery and does not constitute a warrantable defect. However, high voltage batteries in new BEVs and PHEVs (excluding mild hybrids) are warranted against excessive loss of net battery energy content (i.e. if the battery energy content measures below 70%) as detailed below. No battery energy content degradation warranty exists for 12 volt batteries, 48 volt batteries, or any batteries used in mild hybrid vehicles.

BEV Warranty against battery energy content degradation

For new BEVs, the battery energy content degradation warranty lasts for 8 years or up to 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. Where the battery energy content of the high voltage battery is measured by a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles authorised repairer and is found to be less than 70% during the warranty period, then it will be repaired or replaced under warranty subject to the following:

The reduction in battery energy content must not have been caused by factors outside the Manufacturer’s control including, but not limited to:

the tampering, removal or re(installation) of the high voltage battery by unauthorised parties;
the high voltage battery not being used, handled, charged or maintained as recommended by the Manufacturer in the owner's manual;
the high voltage battery coming into direct contact with open fire; or
the high voltage battery coming into contact with excessive amounts of water including through cleaning with high pressure cleaners or liquids being applied directly to the high voltage battery.

The repair will bring the performance of the high voltage battery back to the following state, depending on the mileage / age of the vehicle at the time of diagnosis:

Up to a maximum of 40,000 miles or three years after first registration (whichever comes first), the energy content of the high voltage battery will be repaired so that it measures a minimum of 78% of the starting value.
Up to a maximum of 60,000 miles or five years after first registration (whichever comes first), the energy content of the high voltage battery will be repaired so that it measures 74% of the starting value.
Up to a maximum of 100,000 miles or eight years after first registration (whichever comes first), the energy content of the high voltage battery will be repaired so that it measures 70% of the starting value.

PHEV Warranty against battery energy content degradation

For new PHEVs (excluding mild hybrids), the battery energy content degradation warranty lasts for 5 years or up to 100,000 miles, whichever comes first, for the first customer who owns the vehicle only. This warranty is not capable of assignment or transfer to subsequent vehicle owners. Where the battery energy content of the high voltage battery is measured by a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles authorised repairer and is found to be less than 70% during the warranty period, then it will be replaced or repaired so that it measures a minimum of 70% of the starting value, or replaced under warranty subject to the following:

The reduction in battery energy content must not have been caused by factors outside the Manufacturer's control including, but not limited to:

The tampering, removal or re(installation) of the high voltage battery by unauthorised parties;
The high voltage battery not being used, handled, charged or maintained as recommended by the Manufacturer in the owner's manual;
The high voltage battery coming into direct contact with open fire; or
The high voltage battery coming into contact with excessive amounts of water including through cleaning with high pressure cleaners or liquids being applied directly to the high voltage battery.

What is battery degradation?

Like most lithium-ion batteries we use every day, such as in our smartphones, the capacity of batteries in electric vehicles will reduce over time through use and charging. This is important to keep in mind when comparing new and used electric vehicles on our website, as the capacity of a used battery will be lower than the capacity of a new battery.

The reduction of battery capacity through use, charging and time is called ‘degradation’. For battery electric cars, degradation is affected by many variables such as charging speed, driving style, charging volume, temperature etc. As a battery ages the capacity will reduce, which means that the battery may need to be charged more frequently and the range achievable in real life may decrease. Reduction in battery capacity is one of a number of features that may affect resale value.

You should not rely on new car performance figures (including battery capacity and range) in relation to used vehicles with older batteries, as they will not reflect used vehicle performance in the real world.

All Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles approved used BEV’s will receive a multipoint check and a battery health certificate, this will display the current battery health status (stating if it is below 70%). Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles manufacturer warranty covers battery degradation to 70% over a period of 8 years or up to 100,000 miles (whichever comes first).

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and its authorised repairers reserve the right, in their sole discretion, to choose whether to repair or replace a high voltage battery. Any part which is replaced becomes the property of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. Any replaced high voltage batteries are covered for the unexpired period of the battery warranty.