Electric Cars from China: Battery, Lifespan and Charging
The battery is the most expensive component in an electric car - it can account for a third of the vehicle's value. That is why, when choosing a used EV, its condition matters more than mileage or how the interior looks.
Two types: LFP and NMC
Two main chemistries dominate the Chinese market:
- LFP (lithium iron phosphate) - longer-lived, loses capacity more slowly and is safer. In exchange, range drops more sharply in cold weather. BYD uses this type.
- NMC (nickel manganese cobalt) - more range for the same weight and better winter behaviour, but loses capacity faster over the years.
Neither is simply "better" - what matters is knowing which one you have and what to expect from it.
Capacity loss
Batteries lose capacity gradually. The drop is more noticeable in the first years, then the process slows. On a three or four year old car, retaining above 90% of original capacity is considered good.
The key figure to check is SOH (State of Health) - battery health as a percentage, read from the car's diagnostics. We check it on every electric vehicle before purchase.
Why range drops in winter
Two things happen in the cold: the battery's chemical activity slows, and cabin heating draws energy directly from the battery - unlike a petrol car, where heat is a by-product of the engine.
As a result, real winter range is 20-30% below the declared figure. This is normal and does not indicate a fault. If the car has a heat pump, the drop is noticeably smaller - worth checking when choosing a trim.
The declared range figure
Chinese listings usually quote range under the CLTC standard. That cycle is optimistic - real-world figures run roughly 25-30% lower. Compared with European WLTP, a CLTC number is about 15% higher.
So if a listing says 600 km CLTC, expect around 430-450 km in summer and 330-360 km in winter.
Charging in Georgia
The fast-charging network in cities is expanding, but remains sparse in the regions. If you often drive outside Tbilisi, either an EREV hybrid is the better choice, or plan routes around charger locations in advance.
Home charging works from an ordinary 220V supply, though a full charge takes 8-12 hours. A dedicated wallbox brings that down to 4-6 hours.
What to check before buying
- SOH figure - above 90% is desirable
- Battery type (LFP or NMC) and capacity in kWh
- Whether a heat pump is fitted
- Maximum fast-charging power
- How often it was fast-charged - frequent fast charging shortens battery life
All five are part of our inspection, and we send you the report before purchase.