As U.S. policymakers and consumers continue to debate how well electric-vehicle batteries hold up under punishing commercial use, a high-mileage taxi in Germany is delivering the kind of real-world durability data still largely absent in the American market.
A Kia EV6 operating full-time as a taxi in Hamburg has surpassed 186,000 miles while retaining roughly 85% of its original battery capacity — a level of endurance that extends far beyond typical consumer driving.
The data comes from Elektrobays, an EV-focused channel that examined a rear-wheel-drive EV6 driven for nearly four years by a taxi operator identified as Ibrahim.
Despite daily fast-charging, long hours on the road, and seasonal temperature swings, the EV6 continues to accept charging speeds of up to 250 kW and maintains consistent performance. Ibrahim reports summer ranges of about 430 miles and winter ranges closer to 250 miles, numbers that exceed what many U.S. drivers see in mixed conditions.
Ibrahim said he chose the EV6 as Hamburg expanded incentives for electric taxis and as diesel prices continued to rise. The model, he said, delivered on the essential requirements of commercial driving — fast charging, usable range, and space for passengers and luggage.
A battery-health test conducted with Avilo equipment showed a state of health of around 85%, which he attributes in part to consistent overnight AC charging that reduces battery stress.
Maintenance costs have been notably low. Ibrahim said he has only replaced the integrated charging control unit and described overall upkeep as far cheaper than the Mercedes diesel taxi he previously operated.
Germany’s push toward transportation electrification provides the backdrop. The country aims for carbon neutrality by 2045, has introduced incentives for commercial EVs, and continues to expand its charging network.
As a result, high-mileage electric taxis and delivery vans are generating long-term durability data that the U.S. — where EV adoption remains uneven — has yet to accumulate at scale.
Kia introduced the EV6 in 2021 as Hyundai Motor Group’s first dedicated EV built on the E-GMP platform. European deliveries began later that year, with the German rollout expanding in 2022. Its 800-volt architecture and strong road performance have made it one of the more prominent commercial EV entries in Europe.
