Most EV owners know their battery has a long manufacturer warranty. Fewer know what it actually covers, what it leaves out, and what happens to the rest of the car once the main warranty ends. Here's how an EV warranty should work, and how it fits alongside the manufacturer's battery cover.
Two warranties, two different jobs
A new electric car usually comes with two separate manufacturer warranties:
- The vehicle warranty, which covers defects in the car as a whole. On most cars it lasts around three years, with a mileage cap.
- The battery warranty, which covers the high-voltage traction battery. It is often much longer, commonly around eight years, again with a mileage cap.
The gap between those two dates is where many used EV owners get caught out. A five-year-old EV can have battery cover left while its drive motor, inverter, onboard charger and electronics have none. That is the gap an extended EV warranty is designed to fill.
What a manufacturer battery warranty usually covers
Battery warranties vary by brand, so always check your own handbook or ask the dealer. In general they cover two things:
- Failure of the battery because of a defect.
- Capacity falling below a set threshold within the warranty period. The threshold is set by the manufacturer and is often around 70% of the original capacity.
They usually come with conditions, such as following the manufacturer's servicing schedule. Some brands include the parts around the battery, like the battery management system or the cooling system, and some don't. If you're buying a used EV, ask for the date the battery warranty ends, its mileage limit and its capacity threshold before you buy.
What the manufacturer battery warranty doesn't cover
A battery warranty is about the battery. Once the main vehicle warranty has ended, the other expensive EV-specific parts are usually on you, unless you have other cover. On an electric car those include:
- The electric drive motor
- The inverter and other power electronics
- The onboard charger and charge port
- Thermal management parts, such as coolant pumps and the heat pump
- Control units and the many sensors an EV relies on
Our guide to what actually goes wrong with electric cars explains which of these fail most often, and our EV battery replacement cost guide covers the battery itself.
What a good EV warranty should cover
When you compare EV warranties, check each of these. If a provider can't show you in writing how it handles them, ask why.
- The drive motor and power electronics, including the inverter and motor-control systems.
- The charging system, including the onboard charger.
- The battery system: the battery management system, and what happens if individual cells fail. Look for a clear limit, not vague wording.
- Age and mileage limits on battery cover, stated plainly.
- The everyday systems: steering, suspension, braking (including regenerative braking), air conditioning and electrics.
- A realistic labour rate. EVs need trained technicians, and labour can be a big part of the bill.
- Recovery and a hire car, so a breakdown doesn't leave you stranded.
- Clear exclusions, especially on battery capacity loss.
How ClearPath covers an electric car
ClearPath Premium covers the sudden failure of covered parts on electric cars. The Electric Vehicle cover schedule (PDF) lists exactly which parts are covered. The limits are:
| Claim limit | £3,000 per authorised claim, including parts, labour and VAT |
|---|---|
| Number of claims | Unlimited eligible claims during your cover |
| High-voltage battery | Covered on cars up to 9 years old and 70,000 miles |
| Battery-cell replacement | Up to £1,500 on EV plans |
| Labour rate | Up to £100 per hour |
| Excess | £100 per authorised claim |
| Hire car and recovery | Hire car up to £45 a day for up to 7 days; recovery up to £60; both within the claim limit |
| Eligibility | Instant online quote for cars up to 15 years old and 150,000 miles |
Wear items and battery capacity loss are excluded. The full exclusions are in your policy documents. For the full picture, see our electric car warranty page.
Manufacturer battery warranty vs an EV warranty
| Manufacturer battery warranty | ClearPath EV cover | |
|---|---|---|
| Covers | The traction battery, on the manufacturer's terms | Sudden failure of parts listed in the EV cover schedule, including the battery system within limits |
| Capacity loss | Often covered below a set threshold | Not covered |
| Motor, inverter, charger | Usually not, once the vehicle warranty ends | Covered where listed in the schedule |
| Battery age/mileage limit | Set by the manufacturer | Up to 9 years old and 70,000 miles |
| Cost | Included with the new car | Personalised price, monthly or annual payments |
The two aren't rivals. They do different jobs, and for many EV owners the best set-up is both.
How the two fit together
Your EV is still inside its main manufacturer warranty. You're covered for defects for now. Note the end date and look at extended cover before it arrives.
The main warranty has ended but the battery warranty hasn't. This is the most common situation for used EVs. The manufacturer still looks after battery defects and capacity on its terms; an extended warranty looks after the motor, electronics, charger and the rest of the car. If the battery fails, check with the manufacturer first.
The car is past 9 years old or 70,000 miles. ClearPath's high-voltage battery cover has ended, but the rest of the covered parts can still be covered if the car is within the eligibility limits. Be realistic about battery risk at this stage and read up on battery health before you buy.
Buying a used EV? Check these first
- A battery health report showing the current capacity.
- The end date, mileage limit and capacity threshold of any remaining manufacturer battery warranty.
- The service history. EVs need less servicing than petrol cars, but they still need it. See do electric cars need servicing?
- That the car charges properly on both a home charger and a public rapid charger, if it supports one.
Our used EV buying guide goes through the full checklist.
How an EV claim works
- Stop and get it checked if a warning light appears or the car loses power.
- The garage contacts ClearPath before any work starts and gets the repair authorised. We have UK-wide repair options.
- The repair is paid within your limits: up to £3,000 per claim, with battery-cell replacement up to £1,500. You pay the £100 excess.
Work that begins before authorisation cannot be paid. The full walk-through is on our How to make a claim page. Own a hybrid rather than a full EV? See our hybrid car warranty, or get an instant quote for your car.
