Car instrument cluster in the dark
Buyer guide

Your EV battery warranty does not cover what you think

Three conditions decide whether you can ever claim it. Most showrooms never mention them.
EV AUTO INDIA
The industry standard
8 yrs
or 1,60,000 km, whichever comes first

With a state-of-health floor of 70%. That is what most electric cars in India promise in 2026.
EV AUTO INDIA
Who follows it, who deviates
Most others8 yr / 1.6 lakh km
MG Comet EV8 yr / 1.2 lakh km
Mahindra BE 610 yr / 2 lakh km
Tata Curvv, Nexon 45, HarrierLifetime
What lifetime means

Lifetime is 15 years from first registration, unlimited km

Tata's definition, and a strong offer. It comes with two conditions that exclude many buyers.
Condition 1

First individual owner only. It does not transfer

Buy a three-year-old Curvv EV used and the lifetime cover is gone. That is a real depreciation driver.
EV AUTO INDIA
Condition 2

Private registration only

Taxi permit, fleet or ride-hailing gets shorter commercial terms. If your EV will earn money, get those terms in writing.
The clause that decides claims
70%
state-of-health floor

It does not promise your battery keeps performing. Only that capacity stays above 70% inside the period.
EV AUTO INDIA
A 450 km car, in practice
90% health, 405 kmNo claim
80% health, 360 kmNo claim
71% health, 320 kmNo claim
69% health, 310 kmClaim valid

Most packs never reach 70% in eight years.
What voids cover
  • Repairs outside the authorised network
  • Non-approved home charger or wiring
  • Flood damage (an insurance matter)
  • Missed servicing, software tampering
EV AUTO INDIA
Ask the showroom
  • Does it transfer to a second owner?
  • Health threshold, and how is it measured?
  • Do commercial terms differ?
  • Repair, module or full pack?
  • Which home chargers are approved?
EV AUTO INDIA
Match it to your use
  • Low mileage, long keep: years matter
  • 25,000 km a year: watch the km cap
  • Selling in 3 to 4 years: transferability
  • Buying used: get a health reading first
The bottom line

Check three things: transferability, registration type, the 70% floor

The cover is better than most buyers assume.

Read the full warranty guide
Photos: Daniel Tafjord, Simom Caban, Roland Denes, Muhammed Faizan Hussain, Priscilla Du Preez, Michael Fousert via Unsplash