Electric vehicle battery life is a primary cause for concern for many owners as they are vital to the performance and longevity of their vehicles. With the growing demand for electric vehicles in the market, any responsible EV driver would agree that understanding the maintenance procedures is essential for getting the most range and value out of your EV investment.
We are here to guide you through these challenges and help you make an informed decision on how to extend EV battery life.
Watch this quick video to learn how to keep your EV battery running efficiently for years. From smart charging habits to temperature management and more, these expert-backed tips will help you maximize range and performance. Hit play and drive smarter!
Why Extending EV Battery Life is Important
Generally, EV batteries last anywhere from 8 to 15 years based on usage, and many companies give warranties of up to 15 years or 100,000 – 150,000 miles, indicating that the newer battery models are capable of a longer range and offer better efficiency.
But, without proper care and maintenance that battery life will drain before its promised lifespan.
Apart from getting stranded while on a trip, faulty batteries can cause severe vehicle issues and costly repairs. Stay ahead by understanding the common problems with electric car batteries before you hit the road.. Battery replacement does not come cheap, so judicious use is always a good way to help avoid unnecessary expenses.
What Causes EV Battery Degradation?
Before learning how to extend electric car battery life, it is necessary to understand the key factors that causes this degradation.
Under ideal conditions, EV batteries can last 15 to 20 years, the keyword being – ideal. Unsafe EV battery charging practices, driving habits and climatic conditions are the key reasons for the degradation. Most of the EV Batteries available in the market are Lithium-ion based, and extreme temperatures (hot or cold) can negatively affect the battery performance.
In cold states like Washington, it can influence the battery’s range as the cold battery will take time to heat up before starting the charging cycle putting more stress on the battery system. Extreme heat can also increase the risk of battery leaks as they rely on a stable chemical reaction that needs to be maintained at an optimum temperature.
Unnecessary charging or frequent DC charging can also increase degradation as it will strain the EV battery and cause it to lose its capacity over the years.
10 Practical Tips to Extend Your EV Battery Life
Now that you know why it is happening, here are 10 practical tips to extend EV battery life.
- Avoid excessive DC charging: While fast charging stations can be used to top up while on the road or during emergencies, frequent usage of the same will deteriorate the battery faster than level 1 or level 2. Combined usage of AC charging stations and fast charging will help you out economically in the long run. but still you are unaware learn is DC charging bad for EV?
- Do not over-accelerate: While the thrill of going from 0 to 100 is given, it is not advised to play road rash while on the road especially in an electric vehicle. This will drain the battery as the vehicle has to exert more energy.
- Preconditioning your EV battery: The varying climates often cut short the battery life, and preconditioning your EV battery by manual or automatic methods will make your life easier as it will enhance the overall driving experience as well as keep your electric vehicle at a cozy temperature.
- Parking practices: Although automatic preconditioning using your phone or infotainment system is an option, it still takes up some of your battery’s power. The best way in case of availability is to park your car in a controlled environment, like a garage or shaded area to avoid overheating or freezing of your vehicle.
- Do not overcharge: While charging your EV to 100% while preparing for a long trip is okay, do keep in mind to not make it a habit. Excessive charging or overnight charging for a prolonged time will reduce the efficiency similar to any electronic device with Lithium-ion batteries like mobile phones.
- Do not drain your battery till 0%: Draining your battery till it hits 0% will strain your battery so much that the overall battery capacity will reduce. This alters the battery chemistry internally for the worse. It’s advised to keep your battery at 20% – 80% to extend your EV battery life.
- Reduce idle time or bench time: Parking your electric vehicle for a long time without usage will affect negatively on the battery capability. Extended idle time can also consume a small amount of charge to maintain internal temperature, and if left neglected for a long time, the battery would drain. So, it’s important to charge your vehicle from time to time or keep it on a timer to do the minimum charging while parked.
- Prepare ahead of time: For any routine or planned trips that you have, prepare your vehicle well ahead of time, giving it ample time to precondition and charge properly. And turn off unnecessary features while not in use to conserve energy.
- Do proper maintenance: Updating the software and infotainment system is also a part of this routine check-up. Timely maintenance, especially for the tires, is necessary. Poorly maintained tires will produce rolling resistance which in turn adds more stress to the battery system. Hence proper maintenance is key to enhancing the EV battery life.
- Read the manuals: This might seem trivial, but all cars are different according to their makes and models. And all of the companies have their own set of rules, regulations and ideal ranges. So pouring your time into understanding your electric car and its behaviour will come in handy.
Conclusion
Prolonging the lifespan of your EV battery must be a priority for every driver. The good news? it is not difficult, adopting few smart habits can make a huge difference. By following these simple tips you can maximize your battery life, save your pocket from costly replacements, improve driving efficiency and enhance the overall EV experience.
So what are you waiting for? Start implementing these steps today and keep your battery strong for years to come.
Have any tips or experiences to share? Or maybe a concern that has been bothering you? Feel free to drop them in the comments or check out additional resources to extend your knowledge.
FAQs
Tesla vehicles have some of the longest-driving range vehicles in the market. However, The company recommends using its Energy App software, to track, compare and give your personalized suggestions on enhancing the battery life by monitoring your driving style, environment, weather conditions and charging habits.
Gentle acceleration and planning ahead can save your battery while driving. This helps with the charging cycles as you are aware of when and how much to charge to keep efficiency and comfort as well as reduce the pressure on the battery system while driving.
Reducing aerodynamic drag by closing all your windows and if possible changing the air suspension to low can also help to extend EV battery life.
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