Introduction
If you are wondering how you can increase your EV’s battery life, you’ve come to the right place.
In the past few years, quite a lot of people have switched to EVs, citing environmental factors and saving money in the long run.
This is a good thing! And as a person who loves ICEs, my utopia is a place where all three can co-exist peacefully.
Alright, now what you need to understand is, taking care of your EV’s battery is VERY important! You have to know that the degradation rate of a car battery is higher when compared to an ICE’s.
Well, to be fair, you cannot compare the ICE’s and EV’s in terms of battery. It won’t be fair.
Both of them have a battery, but one uses it to power up the displays and lights, while the other uses it to run the car itself.
But that is why I’ve realized that it’s important for the owners to know how to take care of their EV’s battery. So, here I am, with 6 key points that you need to know if you want to increase your EV’s battery health.
Key Points Discussed in This Blog
| Optimal Charging Practices Maintaining your battery charge between 20% and 80% will significantly reduce degradation. Temperature Management DO NOT expose your EV to extreme temperatures. IT WILL degrade your battery health. Charging Methods Use slow charging over frequent fast charging. It’ll minimize stress on the battery. Driving Habits Adopt smooth driving techniques to reduce unnecessary battery strain. Regular Maintenance Keep your EV’s software updated and perform routine checks to ensure battery efficiency. Storage Considerations If storing your EV for extended periods, maintain a moderate charge level to prevent battery deterioration. |
Optimal Charging Practices
One of the most effective ways to prolong your EV battery’s life is by following the optimal charging habits.
What are “Optimal Charging Habits,” you ask?
Plug your EV in for charging when it reaches 20%.
When charging your EV, keep the charging to 80%. That’s all.
The idea behind this charge cycle is: instead of charging your battery to 100% every time, charge it twice till 80%.
You see, since you’re charging your EV from 20% to 80%, that’s a total charge of 60%. And when you don’t let it discharge below 20%, you have effectively only used 60% of the charge!
Doing it once or twice will not elongate the life of your EV’s battery, but doing this consistently for a few years, and you’ll see the difference.
Consistently charging your battery to 100% or allowing it to deplete to 0% almost always causes rapid degradation. It’s the Lithium-ion tech that degrades faster when you charge and discharge constantly to its limits.
Temperature Management
EV batteries are sensitive to temperature extremes. Due to the Li-ion tech they use.
So, when you expose your EV to very high or very low temperatures, it will hurt your battery.
Yes, it won’t be evident immediately. But if you live in a place that experiences extreme weather constantly throughout the year, you might want to find a place with a garage.
On top of that, preconditioning your vehicle—warming or cooling the battery before driving—will help maintain optimal operating temperatures.
Charging Methods
I know, fast charging is convenient. Plug it in and watch the charge rise.
I have it on my phone, and sometimes it feels like witchcraft! I plug it in at 15% and 10 mins later, it’s already 60%!
But similar to the way frequent fast charging is harmful for my phone, it is the same case for your EV.
Rapid or fast charging should be used when you are in an emergency. There is NO NEED to fast-charge your EV when you leave it overnight.
Choose slow charging whenever possible for daily use.
When you approach your charging habits like this, it’ll reduce the heat generated during charging. And we all know, heat is the enemy of a battery.
Driving Habits
You may be aware, but there are a lot of people who are not, that their driving style directly affects the EV’s battery health.
When you accelerate aggressively or make use of hard braking frequently, the wear and tear on the parts of your EV increases.
I understand that it’s a different type of thrill when you get the performance in an instant, and I am not asking you to stop doing it completely!
I’m advising you to NOT indulge in this kind of action frequently. Choose to drive with ease and comfort, and you’ll see that the battery will outlast others that have been frequently driven hard.
Regular Maintenance
Keeping your EV’s software up to date also makes sure that battery management systems operate efficiently.
Manufacturers often release updates that are aimed at optimizing the charging protocols and thermal management.
Regular maintenance checks will also identify potential issues early, preventing long-term damage to the battery.
Storage Considerations
If you plan to store your EV for an extended period, it’s essential to maintain the battery at a moderate charge level, ideally around 50%.
Avoid leaving the battery fully charged or completely depleted, as both conditions will lead to capacity loss over time.
Additionally, store the vehicle in a cool, dry place to minimize temperature-related degradation.
To Conclude
Increasing your EV’s battery life does not mean you do one of the many things I mentioned.
It is a combination of good charging habits, temperature management, and regular maintenance.
By implementing these practices, you will ensure that your electric vehicle remains efficient and reliable for years to come.
Remember, proactive care today leads to sustained performance tomorrow.
