Startups racing to assist buyers in evaluating the actual worth of pre-owned EVs through battery health tests

Health

Numerous startups have recently developed tests to determine the state of a second-hand electronic vehicle (EV) battery, according to reports. Reuters states that these startups are competing to provide the best possible battery test for pre-owned EVs. It is essential for buyers to determine the value of a second-hand EV, as its worth largely depends on the battery’s driving range and ability to hold a charge.

One of these startups is Altelium, which has created a pre-used EV battery test that offers real-time battery data analytics, operational and laboratory battery data sources, as well as degradation and battery stress modeling. This UK-based startup has already launched its EV battery state-of-health test in over 7,000 US car dealers and over 5,000 UK dealers through dealer service providers such as Assurant and GardX. Alex Johns, Altelium’s business development manager, highlighted the importance of battery health in the sales of new and second-hand cars, mentioning that the company has received interest from other markets like China and is now in an “implementation race.”

Another startup in this field is Aviloo, an Austrian company that has developed a test for dealers and private individuals to assess EV batteries. Aviloo offers various tests, including premium and flash tests, with the premium test providing a more comprehensive battery state analysis. The company recently improved its approach by launching a dedicated web store for business customers and a training platform called “Aviloo Academy.”

Recurrent is another player in the second-hand EV battery test market that recently struck a deal with ADESA, a wholesale vehicle auction solutions provider, and AutoIMS, an auction software company. This partnership allows commercial customers to easily access important information about electric vehicles, including Battery Score, Battery Health Score, and the completion time of the report.

These emerging startups in the pre-used EV battery test sector emphasize the significance of testing these batteries. Independent tests are crucial because automakers often provide overly optimistic information on EV range that critics argue is overstated. The lack of visibility in the EV market has resulted in a decline in used EV prices, while fossil-fuel models’ prices have remained relatively stable or increased.

The battery plays a significant role in the price of a new EV, making up about 40% of the total cost. Therefore, how the battery is treated and its health is critical when selling a used EV. Charging an EV too frequently and leaving it fully charged for extended periods can lead to faster battery degradation. Aviloo found that after 100,000 kilometers, an EV battery’s health can vary by up to 30%. Marcus Berger, the CEO of Aviloo, emphasized that an EV’s mileage and age are not indicative of its condition; instead, it is all about the battery.

In conclusion, these startups in the pre-used EV battery test industry are striving to provide reliable and comprehensive tests to assess the condition and health of EV batteries. With the growing demand for second-hand EVs, these tests are essential for buyers to make informed decisions and determine the value of a used EV.