How do you extend your EV’s Battery life?
A lot of factors can impact an EV’s battery life. Common ones are due to frequent charging, exposure to heat, temperature etc. According to EDF Energy, EV batteries usually last around 10-20 years before they need to be replaced.
Here are some tips on how you can maintain and extend your EV’s battery life:
Minimize exposure to extremely high temperatures when parked
Exposure to extreme heat while being parked unplugged should be avoided. EVs are equipped with an automated temperature control system, which drains the batteries to keep the temperature down for optimal efficiency. While this performance should only work when your electric vehicle is on the road using its battery, park your electric car in the shade or plug-in so that its thermal management system functions only using grid power.
Avoid Using Fast Charging
Although fast-charging is convenient, they press too much current in your EV batteries which strains it in a short period and weakens them faster. While degradation is hard to notice, standard charging will give 10% more battery life than fast charging.
Maintain Optimal Battery Charge
EVs that are parked or stored with an empty or full battery also degrades the battery. Maintaining an optimal battery charge is important. When EV is not in use, keep the battery at an average charge level between 25 and 75 percent.
Avoid Frequent Charging
Frequent battery charging can degrade its condition and performance quickly, do not overcharge your battery as well. If you can, charge it up to 80% as A full charge isn’t great for lithium-ion batteries. Do not charge your EV as well after using it. Give it time to cool down first.
Use Original Charger
Use the original charger which is provided by the manufacturer of the EV. As 3rd party chargers are significantly cheaper and easily available, they might increase the risk of malfunction.
Avoid knocking or dropping your EV’s battery
Dropping your battery or knocking it off with objects might damage its internal components. This might damage the thermal management system inside the battery as well, so be careful with it.
As EV batteries develop, they allow users to go the extra mile on a single charge. These tips can maximize your EV battery’s potential, you may choose to ignore these as well because at the end of the day, it’s life still depends on its user.
