Batteries are the core component of an EV. Compared to conventional vehicles, they don’t need much maintenance and care. Yet, to maintain the vehicle’s sustainability, the battery must be kept in prime condition. Also, remember that a good battery pack will enhance your driving experience by going the extra mile. Did you know that with proper care, an EV battery can last over a decade? The blog covers the EV battery maintenance best practices to preserve your battery life from getting degraded.
Prefer a quick overview? Watch this short video for essential electric car battery maintenance best practices. It’s a quick and easy way to ensure you’re doing everything right. For more in depth details, keep continue reading below.
Common EV Battery Maintenance Mistakes to Avoid
Electric vehicles don’t need to tune up regularly like gasoline vehicles. You need to pay for it if you neglect your vehicle. Be a responsible car owner and charge the battery mindfully avoiding charging mistakes. Highlighting the mistakes you shouldn’t make. To ensure you are following the best charging practices, refer to our guide on EV battery charging best practices.
- Parking the vehicle in an open area as debris and water can enter, also the vehicle will also be temperate.
- Some people are habitual to not plug in the battery until it drops to 0%. It’s a big mistake and whoever’s doing it should stop it.
- Frequent, unnecessary acceleration lowers the battery’s health. You can use the button sparingly but it will also force you to spare the money.
- Don’t make DC fast chargers part of your daily routine.
- Avoiding small problems that can escalate the baggage and cost of service.
How to Maintain an EV Battery: Practical Tips
Do you want to keep your vehicle for 12 to 15 years? Do follow the electric vehicle battery maintenance tips we’re mentioning here.
Optimal Battery Charging
Make a habit of charging the EVs up to 80%. An ideal charging bracket is 20%-80% otherwise, the vehicle’s components will start struggling. Many latest EV car models enable the accessibility to charge the vehicle battery from the control panel. If you’re curious about how cold weather can affect your EV’s battery performance, our blog post on electric car battery life in cold weather has more details for you.
Control the Temperature Remotely
Outside weather impacts a lot on the EV’s health be it chilled or extremely hot but will hit the battery pack and can drop the battery performance instantly by 40%. You can control your EVs remotely via your vehicle’s app and turn on/off the heater as needed to drop the temperature to ensure the optimal battery temperature before driving. Also, you can set the charging time so it won’t overcharge. You just need to download the official app and tether it, plan your departure, and drive accordingly.
OTA Updates to Get Rid of Recalls
Don’t ignore the OTA updates, make it mandatory or your EVs will throw tantrums making you feel anxious. Whenever a new release of a software version is available car owners get a notification to launch it asap or they will get recalled too.
Regular Service Drives
No matter if your EV is new or a couple of years older it needs regular inspection and care. As a car owner, it’s your responsibility to keep your car free from any baggage that can diminish your drive. Keep every component count spending a few minutes of your busy schedule and a very short share of money on EV battery maintenance will give you a breather from big expenses. Mark the dates for periodical maintenance drives thrice a year.
Here’s a quick checklist for maintaining your EV:
- Schedule inspections at least three times a year.
- Check battery health and coolant levels.
- Inspect tires for proper inflation.
Battery Capacity Inspection
Do you regularly monitor the battery capacity and how long it holds as over time it also gets degraded or may stop charging? If you notice any significant drop in performance, it may be time for a replacement or service.
Frequently charging or plugging it longer isn’t possible in daily life. Pay attention if it needs immediate replacement or can be fixed by technicians. Also, car owners can review the measures of the state of health percentage. This is the best suggestion by the federal government for electric car battery maintenance.
Use DC for Emergency
DC chargers are good if you’re in an emergency or can’t wait longer. It will also restrict the dropping of the battery down to 20%. It’s not good to regularly plug EVs to DC fast chargers. As it will gradually hit the battery packs and other components.
If you are curious about common battery issues and how they arise, you can also check our detailed post on the problems with electric car batteries.
Final Words:
An unusual way of charging, driving and parking will put your EVs healthy on the stack and you’ll need to replace the battery or maybe move the EV model completely to purchase a new one if you don’t care about it well. Drive your EVs in moderate temperatures and weather and keep your foot away from the accelerator. It’s the expert EV battery maintenance tip you shouldn’t forget.
By following these above maintenance tips, you can extend your EV battery life and enhance your driving experience. What are your best practices for maintaining your EV battery? Share your tips in the comments below!
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