There’s no need to panic about running out of juice.
Electric vehicle (EV) batteries today can last for more than 10 years on average, and power hundreds of thousand kilometres of drive. Nonetheless, for the more kiasu among us, there are certain ways we can extend the battery life of our EVs or at least prevent contributing to its unnecessary degradation.
1. Minimise full state of charge of 100%
Don’t leave your EV plugged in and charged to 100%. At least not all the time.
A full charge reduces the lifespan of lithium-ion batteries over time. They tend to last longer when used within the 20%-80% range. That is also when batteries charge the fastest. It takes a longer time to charge from 80-100% and you will find your batteries heating up more within this range. Only charge to 100% if required for longer road trips.
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2. Don’t let your batteries go flat
Try not to let your EV battery level get below 20%. And never let your battery drain to zero for a prolonged period of time. Charge it as soon as possible, as not doing so can permanently damage the battery cells, shorten its life span, and quicken battery degradation.
Keep your battery charge above 20%. You can always charge your EV more often to keep it ready to go.
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3. Limit fast or rapid charging
We are always in a rush these days and so fast or rapid charging tend to appeal to us.
A lot of commercial and public charging stations are offering fast charging – which makes sense as you wouldn’t want to hang around too long waiting for your EV to juice up. However, do note that rapid charging delivers higher currents and the heat produced can strain the battery packs.
While rapid charging does not have a massive impact on battery life, it is still better to limit its use and go for slow charging where possible.
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4. Don’t discharge more quickly than is needed
It is tough to resist accelerating hard with all the torque available in an EV. It is relatively harmless when enjoyed occasionally. But just like rapid charging, don’t make this a habit.
5. Avoid heat exposure
If you were to park your EV under direct sunlight on a hot day, its thermal management system will start to draw power from the batteries to cool the car down. To avoid draining the battery, park indoors or under the shade on a hot day. Or have it plugged in so that it draws power from the grid instead.
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Conclusion
Developments in EV batteries mean that newer ones are not only cheaper but last longer. That said, having spent a fair bit on our electric drive train, we should also train ourselves to maximise the lifespan of our EV batteries to get more drive out of them.
