Battery warranty: what to check

The battery is the most expensive part of an electric car, so its warranty matters. But "battery warranty" can mean very different things from one car to another. This guide doesn't tell you what any specific warranty says; it tells you what to look for in the document.

It usually has more than one limit

Battery warranties are commonly described by time and by distance, for example a number of years or a number of kilometres, whichever comes first. The exact numbers differ by manufacturer, model and market, so read them for the specific car.

Capacity, not just "failure"

Some warranties cover only a complete failure. Others also set a minimum remaining capacity, often described as state of health. Ask whether a capacity threshold exists, what the number is, and how and by whom it is measured.

What can reduce or end coverage

• Damage from accidents, flooding or misuse
• Repairs or modifications by unauthorised workshops
• Missing service records, if the terms require them
• Use of the car outside the market it was built for

Is it valid in Georgia?

This is the question that matters most for cars imported from abroad. A warranty can be valid only in the market the car was sold in, or only when serviced by the manufacturer's network. Ask who would handle a claim in Georgia, and what they would do in practice.

Ask for it in writing

Request the actual warranty document for the exact car you're buying, not a brochure or a verbal promise. If the dealership can't show it, treat the warranty as unconfirmed.