Owning an electric vehicle (EV) comes with numerous benefits, but one question on every EV owner’s mind is: how can I extend the life of my EV’s battery? With most EV batteries lasting around 10 years, maximizing their lifespan can save you thousands in replacement costs. Studies show that proper care and maintenance can prolong your battery’s life by up to 30% or more. As one EV expert says, “A well-maintained EV battery is like a long-lasting friendship—it only gets better with care.” So, let’s look into some simple yet powerful tips to keep your EV’s battery healthy for years to come.
How to ensure the longevity of your EV battery
Do not maintain full charge
The battery management system of EVs usually shields against maximum and minimum charging levels. If you maintain the charging state between 0% and 100%, the life of your EV and its battery can be improved.
Although fully charging an EV may provide it with optimum operating time, keeping the battery at 100% is not advisable because it will affect its condition in the long run. Contact experts at ThunderPlus, a renowned chargers and charging solutions provider, for more information on charging your EV.
Restrict fast charging
Even though fast charging is suitable for speedily restocking batteries, it puts more pressure on the EV battery. More heat is produced when fast-charging EVs, adversely affecting their battery health. It is suggested that standard or medium-speed chargers be used for daily charging requirements. Use fast charging only in emergency circumstances, like when traveling long distances.
Keep EVs reasonably charged when not using them
When EVs are either fully or not at all charged when not being used, they disintegrate quickly. If EV batteries are rarely used or stored for extended periods, use a timed charger to prevent them from being negatively affected. Maintain the charger’s charge, ranging from 25% to 75%.
Avoid extreme temperatures
Extreme heat or cold can damage an EV battery’s performance. EVs should be parked in sheltered areas during extreme temperatures. The battery must be heated or cooled while the EV is being charged before it is used in extreme temperatures.
Update software regularly
Keep your EV’s software up-to-date. Manufacturers announce updates that include optimizations for overall vehicle efficiency and battery management.
Park carefully
If you intend to park an EV for a lengthy period, maintain its charge level at adequate levels. The storage area should be kept at reasonable temperatures to avoid exposure to intense heat or cold.
Monitor the battery’s wellness
Many EVs have built-in apps or tools to monitor the battery’s health. Check these indicators regularly and contact the battery maker if you notice anything abnormal.
Introduction to EV Battery Performance
Lithium-ion batteries are the most common type of battery for EVs. They are light in weight and promise a long life.
However, EV batteries gradually lose their energy storage capacity as time passes. This occurrence, known as ‘battery degradation,’ leads batteries to lose the energy they can store over time gradually. This phenomenon can cause the batteries to lose their capacity to store energy, power, and range, affecting their general efficiency.
It is tough to predict how fast an EV battery can degrade. It all depends on the EV type and how it is used and maintained. Environmental factors such as extreme temperatures affect batteries. They need to be maintained above 20 degrees Fahrenheit, failing which their performance can significantly fall.
Most modern EV batteries last for ten years and more before they need to be replaced. Most EV owners sell their vehicles before their batteries expire.
EV battery warranty
Most EV batteries have a warranty period of 8 to 10 years or 100,000 miles. Buyers of EVs should always check the warranty period that their makers offer on their batteries.
However, the warranty period ceases to be valid in certain cases when EV owners use non-standard charging equipment. In cases of external damage or installation of inappropriate equipment, they get damaged when the battery coolant reservoir is opened, their software or firmware is not updated, or when non-accredited technicians repair them, and if load limits are exceeded due to improper use, etc. Even a top company like ThunderPlus will testify to that.
Importance of Proper Charging Practices
Following the best charging practices ensures that electric vehicle (EV) batteries last long and perform optimally. These practices increase battery lifespan, improve EV efficiency, and extend EV driving range.
- EV owners should not fully or minimally charge their batteries, overcharge them, or avoid deep discharging conditions.
- They must never be exposed to extreme temperatures.
- They should ensure that EVs’ proper charging speed and rates are followed.
- EV owners should maintain the plugs and cables of their batteries properly.
- They should take care of the battery management systems (BMS).
- They should update software and firmware regularly.
Optimal Charging Levels and Frequency
There are three types of EV chargers: Level 1, Level 2, and direct current (DC) fast chargers.
For all of these, the critical factors include the following.
- The amount of power each charger requires is calculated in volts, and its power output is measured in kilowatts (kW).
- Charging speed, the distance added to an EV’s battery’s per-hour charging rate, depends on the charger’s power output.
- Components and installation cost
- Power intake, which depends on an EV. It all depends on how much the battery of an EV can endure.
Numerous manufacturers produce EV chargers with different products, applications, prices, and functionalities, which all contribute to defining their lifespan.
Efficient Driving Techniques
Understand your EV’s range
Before hitting the road, it’s crucial to know your electric car’s range: the distance it can travel on a single charge. Weather, driving habits, and terrain can impact your EV’s range. While planning your trips, ensure you have a good idea of where charging stations are located along your route.
Maintenance of your EV
Before embarking on a trip, check your car’s tires regularly to ensure proper pressure. When the tire pressure is very low, the efficiency of the EV’s brakes can be affected. Therefore, always ensure that the EV battery operates efficiently.
How you drive
Ensure that you drive properly by being smooth and efficient on the roads, being responsible, following traffic rules, not slamming brakes abruptly, and accelerating properly, among other things.
Utilization of regenerative braking
Regenerative braking is a technology used by EVs. It converts energy dropped during braking into electricity, which is then transferred to the battery. Using regenerative braking enable an EV to restore power when decelerating.
Monitoring energy consumption
Most EVs provide real-time information on energy consumption. You can then adjust your driving style to improve your EV’s range.
Regular Maintenance and Software Updates
The crucial equipment you should focus on to ensure effective maintenance of your EV is as follows.
- Take good care of your battery by charging it well and using battery health management.
- Use regenerative braking properly
- Maintain tires well
- Charging EVs properly to optimize EV battery’s health.
- Update software and firmware regularly.
Managing Regenerative Braking
Advantages of Regenerative Braking
It improves the vehicle’s fuel economy. This braking system regenerates energy, dramatically reducing the amount of fuel consumed.
It allows for traditional friction-based brakes. A friction braking system is included with a regenerative system to ensure a vehicle can stop promptly.
It prolongs the battery’s charge. Once the regenerative brakes capture the energy, they recharge the vehicle’s batteries. Because this energy is usually lost, vehicles can experience a prolonged charge while driving.
Meanwhile, the braking system’s wear and tear is reduced. Because an electric drivetrain is part of this system, the greater efficiency of the braking allows for a reduced level of wear on the vehicle’s brakes. With standard friction brakes, there is no way you can get this benefit.
Disadvantages of Regenerative Braking
It offers a sliding scale of benefits. The effects of regenerative braking decrease with a vehicle’s speed. At low speeds, friction brakes are required to bring most vehicles to a complete stop, which means energy is still being lost.
Regenerative braking systems are difficult for drivers who are accustomed to traditional vehicles.
Long-Term Storage Tips for EVs
To improve the lifespan of your EV, follow these simple rules.
- Ensure limited exposure to extreme temperatures when parking your EV.
- Never charge your EVs fully.
- Do not use fast charging as far as possible.
- When parking EVs, ensure that their charging is not either 100% or empty.
To learn more about improving your EV’s longevity by improving its battery performance, contact ThunderPlus by phone or email.