Geotab research provides clarity for your fleet electrification and corporate mobility budget
Published on 26 of January 2026 | Reading time: 8 minutes
The #1 question every fleet manager asks: finally hard data
When supporting companies in sustainable mobility consulting, we systematically get the same question: “How long will our electric vehicle batteries really last?”
This question is legitimate, whether for:
- Leased vehicles for employee commuting (48-60 month contracts)
- Commercial vehicles purchased outright for operations (7-12 year lifespan)
Two recent Geotab studies (January 2025 and January 2026) provide factual data from analyzing 10,000 then 22,700 electric vehicles under real-world operating conditions.
The good news for your company travel plan: batteries last much longer than average vehicle ownership duration.
Key figures: what 22,700 vehicles reveal
Average degradation: 1.8 to 2.3% per year
The 2025 study (10,000 vehicles) showed 1.8% annual degradation. The 2026 study (22,700 vehicles, including newer models) indicates 2.3% per year on average.
This slight increase is explained by:
- Arrival of ultra-fast charging capable vehicles (>100kW)
- Increased use of DC fast charging stations (from 10% to 25% of sessions)
- Sharper initial drop in first 2 years before stabilization
Remaining capacity after 8 years: 81.6% to 88%
According to usage profile:
- Optimal use (AC/DC charging <100kW, temperate climate): 88% remaining capacity
- Intensive use (frequent fast charging, intensive utilization): 81.6% remaining capacity
For your 4-5 year leased vehicles: Remaining capacity between 91% and 96%. This degradation is already integrated into the lease calculation by the lessor – no financial or operational impact for the user or your company.
For your 7-12 year commercial vehicles: Even in worst-case scenario, 76-85% capacity after 8 years – more than sufficient for professional use.
The Belgian advantage: our temperate climate preserves batteries
Temperature = 2nd degradation factor
The Geotab analysis compares vehicles in:
- Temperate climate: <35% of days above 27°C → reference degradation
- Hot climate (Arizona, etc.): >35% of days above 27°C → +0.4%/year additional degradation
Belgium = optimal conditions
Our temperate oceanic climate places Belgium in the “favorable climate” category:
- Few prolonged heatwaves
- Moderate temperatures year-round
- No exposure to temperature extremes (US deserts, extreme northern countries)
Impact for your sustainable fleet management: your electric vehicles will age BETTER here than in Arizona or Texas.
The decisive factor: charging power
Major impact of ultra-fast charging (>100kW)
The 2026 study identifies DC fast charging >100kW as the #1 factor for accelerated degradation:
| Charging profile | DC frequency | Average power | Annual degradation | Capacity at 8 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optimal charging | <12% DC | Mainly AC | 1.5%/year | 88% |
| Mixed use | >12% DC | <40% sessions >100kW | 2.2%/year | 82.4% |
| Intensive charging | >12% DC | >40% sessions >100kW | 3.0%/year | 76% |
Recommendations for your company charging infrastructure
For company commuter vehicles:
- Priority: AC 7-22kW chargers (overnight charging at home or during day at office/site)
- Important note: 22kW charging not available on all vehicles. Choose this option when ordering if available – worth the investment vs 150kW charger installation costs.
- Install DC 50kW chargers on-site for occasional fast charging needs
- Avoid chargers >100kW for daily charging
For commercial vehicles:
- DC 50-75kW chargers: good power/battery preservation compromise
- Reserve chargers >100kW for urgent operational situations (breakdown, unexpected deliveries)
- Plan routes to maximize slow overnight charging
Financial impact: By avoiding daily ultra-fast charging, you go from 76% to 88% capacity at 8 years = +12% residual value + maintained operational performance.
20-80% state of charge: nuances by battery chemistry
What the study says
Contrary to common belief, the Geotab study shows that moderate exposure to extreme charge states (<20% or >80%) does NOT significantly accelerate degradation.
Three analyzed profiles:
- Low exposure (<50% time at extremes): 1.4%/year
- Medium exposure (50-80% time at extremes): 1.5%/year
- High exposure (>80% time at extremes): 2.0%/year
Distinction by battery chemistry
⚠️ Important: this 20-80% rule mainly concerns NMC batteries (Nickel Manganese Cobalt), not LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate).
LFP batteries (Lithium Iron Phosphate):
- ✅ Can be charged to 100% daily without accelerated degradation
- ✅ Longer lifespan than NMC
- ✅ Better heat resistance
- ✅ More tolerant of full charge cycles
- 📍 Found in: BYD, Tesla Model 3 Standard Range, certain Chinese commercial vehicles
NMC batteries (Nickel Manganese Cobalt):
- ⚠️ Sensitive to prolonged extreme charge states
- 📍 Found in: majority of European and Korean vehicles
Strategic purchasing recommendation: When the choice exists, prioritize vehicles with LFP batteries for your commercial vehicles and high-use pool vehicles. Their superior durability and tolerance for full charging make them a more profitable investment over 8-12 years.
Practical recommendations by chemistry
LFP batteries (e.g., BYD, Tesla SR):
- ✅ Charge to 100% without restriction
- ✅ Full use of range
- ✅ No specific constraints
NMC batteries (market majority):
- ✅ Charge to 100% for long trips
- ✅ Use entire range without stress
- ⚠️ Avoid leaving vehicle parked >2 weeks at 100% or <20%
Intensive use: acceptable cost for maximized ROI
Impact of daily use
The analysis distinguishes three usage levels:
| Intensity | Cycles/day | Annual degradation | Capacity at 8 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 1 cycle per 7+ days | 1.5%/year | 88% |
| Medium | 1 cycle per 3-6 days | 1.9%/year | 84.8% |
| High | 1 cycle per 1-2 days | 2.3%/year | 81.6% |
(1 cycle = discharge and recharge of 100% capacity, cumulative)
Cost-benefit analysis for your fleet
Intensive use = acceptable penalty:
- Low-high difference: -6.4% capacity at 8 years
- But: ROI maximization, corporate carbon footprint reduction, accelerated amortization
Concrete example: commercial vehicle used 250 days/year for 10 years
Calculation assumptions:
- Electricity rate: 34.26 c€/kWh (Brussels rate 2025)
- Diesel price: 1.589 €/liter (minimum Brussels per carbu.com)
- Annual mileage: 25,000 km → 250,000 km over 10 years
Small commercial vehicle:
- Electric consumption: 30 kWh/100km → 10-year cost: 25,695 €
- Diesel consumption: 8.5 l/100km → 10-year cost: 33,766 €
- Fuel savings: 8,071 €
Large van:
- Electric consumption: 35 kWh/100km → 10-year cost: 29,978 €
- Diesel consumption: 12 l/100km → 10-year cost: 47,670 €
- Fuel savings: 17,692 €
Reduced maintenance over 10 years: ~8,000 €
Total savings:
- Small commercial vehicle: ~16,000 €
- Large van: ~26,000 €
The 6% capacity loss is negligible compared to these gains. Do NOT underutilize your electric vehicles out of fear of battery wear.
Concrete implications for your internal mobility policy
Scenario 1: Leased company vehicles (4-5 years)
Context: You offer a mobility budget with electric vehicle leasing option 48-60 months.
Expected degradation over period:
- Optimal profile (home/office AC charging): 7-9% loss → 91-93% remaining capacity
- Mixed profile (occasional DC fast charging): 9-11% loss → 89-91% remaining capacity
Impact on your management:
- ✅ No impact on employees’ daily use
- ✅ Degradation already integrated into rental calculation by lessor
- ✅ No claims or additional billing at contract end
- ✅ Strong arguments to promote company bike vs company car for short distances
Concrete action: Include this data in your soft mobility awareness to reassure employees about electric reliability.
Scenario 2: Owned commercial vehicles (7-12 years)
Context: You purchase electric vans/trucks for your field operations.
Expected degradation after 10 years intensive use:
- Mainly AC/DC charging <100kW: 18-23% loss → 77-82% capacity
- Frequent DC use >100kW: 25-30% loss → 70-75% capacity
Concrete example:
- Delivery van: initial range 250 km (real field range)
- After 10 years (optimal scenario): ~200 km remaining range
- After 10 years (intensive scenario): ~180 km remaining range
Do these ranges remain operational? For most Belgian urban/peri-urban routes: YES, amply sufficient.
Concrete action: Integrate these projections into your fleet renewal plan and your fleet electrification strategy.
4 strategic recommendations for optimal lifespan
1. Size your charging infrastructure intelligently
At headquarters/depot:
- Priority: AC 11-22kW chargers (4-8h charging)
- Complement: 2-3 DC 50kW chargers for occasional needs
- Avoid except exception: chargers >100kW for daily use
⚡ Cost comparison:
- AC 22kW charger: 2,000-4,000 € incl. installation
- DC 150kW charger: 40,000-60,000 € incl. installation
- Ratio: 1 DC 150kW charger = 10-15 AC 22kW chargers
At office (for employees):
- AC 7-11kW chargers in sufficient number
- Planning: charging during working hours
At employees’ homes (remote work):
- Support installation AC 7-11kW charger at home
- Smart wallbox (off-peak charging)
2. Train your drivers in good practices
Sustainable mobility coaching program to include:
✅ Daily charging:
- Prefer AC when time permits
- Reserve DC fast charging for operational emergencies
✅ Range management by chemistry:
- LFP batteries: charge to 100% without restriction
- NMC batteries: no stress about 20-80%, but avoid prolonged parking at extremes
✅ Prolonged parking:
- Immobilization >2 weeks: leave at ~50% (NMC only)
Tool: Integrate a “battery lifespan” module into your soft mobility awareness.
3. Prioritize LFP batteries for long-term purchases
Selection criterion for your owned commercial vehicles:
When choice exists between two equivalent models:
- ✅ LFP battery = superior lifespan + 100% charging tolerance
- ⚠️ NMC battery = superior energy density (more range at equal weight)
Trade-off:
- Urban/peri-urban use (150-250 km range sufficient): prefer LFP
- Long-distance use (>300 km range necessary): accept NMC
Examples of available LFP models:
- BYD eTruck, BYD Dolphin
- Tesla Model 3 Standard Range
- Certain Chinese commercial vehicles (Maxus, Dongfeng)
4. Adopt an operational and human approach to electrification
At Next Mobility, we support companies with an operational and human angle, not just technical.
Our added value: we share our field experience with clients to avoid mistakes and progress better and faster.
Concretely, we help you:
- Avoid costly over-sizing (e.g., unnecessary 150kW chargers)
- Train your teams on real issues (vs misconceptions)
- Anticipate human friction (range anxiety, new habits)
- Optimize your investments according to actual usage
Our method: field diagnosis + co-creation with your operational teams + change management support.
Conclusion: three key messages for your mobility strategy
1. Batteries far exceed standard ownership durations
Leasing 4-5 years: 91-93% remaining capacity → degradation integrated in contract, no worries
Ownership 7-12 years: 75-85% remaining capacity → amply sufficient for Belgian professional use
2. Three major action levers within your reach
- Charging power: invest in AC/DC <100kW (+12% capacity at 8 years vs ultra-fast)
- Battery chemistry: prefer LFP when possible for long-term purchases
- Driver training: operational and human approach to change
3. The Belgian climate is an asset for electrification
Our temperate conditions place Belgium among the best European environments for battery lifespan.
How Next Mobility supports you
Specialists in sustainable corporate mobility in Belgium, we help you with an operational and human approach to:
✅ Size your charging infrastructure according to your actual usage profiles
✅ Build your company travel plan integrating this lifespan data
✅ Train your employees in good practices (sustainable mobility coaching)
✅ Optimize your corporate mobility budget with realistic TCO projections
✅ Implement the mobility budget with full knowledge of long-term challenges
✅ Develop your internal mobility policy based on facts, not fears
Our difference: We share our field experience with all clients to avoid mistakes and progress better and faster.
Sources
Geotab 2025 study: 10,000 vehicles (11 models) – 1.8%/year Geotab 2026 study: 22,700 vehicles (21 models) – 2.3%/year