Services
Insurance
Loans
Repairs
Advice
About

How many digits is an electric car’s VIN?

I’ve had to provide my car’s VIN number for a lot of different reasons. Right now, I own an ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicle but am looking to switch to an electric car when it makes sense for me. But I’m curious—how many digits is an electric car’s VIN? Is it any longer or shorter than normal?

avatar
Jason Crosby · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
The
VIN
for an electric car is going to be the same length as a regular vehicle—17 digits. These 17 digits hold a lot of information about the vehicle in question, though. That means that it’s just as important to check a used vehicle’s history before buying it, even if it’s an electric car.
VINs are a great way to know what type of repair work a vehicle has had done, whether it’s been in any
car accidents
, and can help you determine when and where it was made. New vehicles will likely have no history to report, though.
Even though electric cars and ICE cars both use VINs, the batteries in electric cars last so long (20 years or more, in many cases) that they are considered VIN locked. This means that the batteries are considered an integral part of the vehicle, so if they’re damaged or replaced, the vehicle’s VIN will tell you. This is different than in an ICE car, where replacing a lead core battery is a minor repair that won’t be logged in the vehicle’s VIN history.
Researching a vehicle’s VIN history is the perfect way to know exactly what kind of condition of the car you’re interested in buying is in. And when it comes to sleuthing around for the best car insurance,
Jerry
is your best wingman.
Have you ever filled out car insurance forms? Then you know how miserable it can be. You probably didn’t know all the answers. You may have called your mom for help. And, when you finished the final questions, you certainly weren’t inspired to shop around and fill out more forms to make sure you were getting the best price. Get Jerry, and leave those long, complicated forms behind as they compile the best policies at the best price, just for you.
MORE: These Electric Vehicles Are on the Horizon for 2022 and Beyond
View full answer 
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings