5 ways to extend electric vehicle battery life that users should know
The electric vehicle battery is an important component when you own this type of vehicle. Therefore, users need to know how to care for and charge it properly to be able to extend the life of the electric vehicle battery and its operating range.
Battery technology has advanced rapidly in recent years, allowing electric vehicles to travel longer distances on a single charge. However, when it comes to owning an electric vehicle, battery life is still one of the most important aspects to consider.
But users also need to know that the battery life of an electric vehicle also depends on the usage and charging habits of the owner. The following article will delve into how users can extend the battery life of an electric vehicle.
Avoid sudden acceleration while stopping.
The trick that car manufacturers use to advertise electric cars is the ability to accelerate from 0-100 km/h quickly. Even a popular electric car can surpass a traditional V8 sports car thanks to instant torque at any speed.
But rapid, continuous discharges are not good for the battery. Modern management systems can mitigate most of the damage, but if users have a habit of suddenly accelerating and causing the battery to discharge at a rapid rate, this will affect the battery's lifespan and reduce its operating range prematurely.
Use a slow charger when possible
Electric vehicle manufacturers today often advertise the increased convenience of fast charging. Fast charging is fine occasionally, but it’s not the best way to get into the habit.
Fast charging should only be used when users need a quick boost in the middle of a long journey or suddenly need to travel more kilometers in a day than planned. On the contrary, slow charging at home is very good for maintaining electric vehicle batteries, reducing pressure on the battery cells and ensuring that this part does not have problems with short circuits and fires.
Do not charge the battery to 100%
When it comes to caring for an electric vehicle battery, charging it to 100% is great when you’re planning a long trip, as a full charge can typically add 20% to your total range. But constantly charging it to full puts a lot of stress on the chemical bonds of the battery’s components, weakening them over time.
Discharging your battery completely and recharging it from scratch is even worse, damaging the battery cells more significantly. So while charging to 100% isn't a bad thing, completely discharging your battery is even more likely to shorten the life of your battery. The ideal range to keep your battery in is 20-80%.
Over time, this will likely change as battery management and charging systems evolve, slowing the charge process down to 80% to avoid unnecessary damage. But for now, keeping your battery at 60% will significantly extend its life.
Keep the battery charge level moderate when not in use for long periods of time
When planning to leave your electric vehicle unattended for an extended period of time, paying attention to the battery’s charge level is essential to prolonging its life. Lithium-ion batteries are sensitive to extreme states of charge, and prolonged storage at very high (near 100%) or very low (below 20%) levels can accelerate battery degradation.
Ideally, try to keep the battery at around 50-60% charge when the vehicle is not in use for weeks or months. Users should also periodically check the vehicle and recharge it as needed to keep the battery within this safe range. This simple step can make a big difference in extending the life of an electric vehicle battery.
Avoid extreme temperatures
Modern lithium-ion batteries have greatly improved the temperature range in which they can operate, but ideally you want to avoid extreme temperatures like extreme heat or cold, as both have the potential to rapidly reduce the battery's long-term lifespan. On hot summer days, park your car in a shady or covered area.
Likewise, during the cold winter months, parking in a garage is the best option. When that’s not possible, plugging in your car to charge will minimize the problem, as the battery’s thermal management system will take care of everything for you, keeping the battery at the right temperature.