The battery pack is the most expensive single component of an electric vehicle, so it makes sense to take good care of it. Utilising EV battery charging best practices will optimise your electric vehicle performance and maximise its battery life.
Just like any other battery, an EV battery will deteriorate over time. But there are ways to prolong its lifespan and keep it in tip-top condition. A few simple habits can keep your EV battery happy, healthy and ready for the road ahead. Follow this Vital EV guide to learn best practices and get the most from your EV battery.
EV Battery Lifespan
EV batteries suffer a natural loss of capacity over time and through use. This ‘discharge’ is an irreversible process, rendering EV batteries less effective and reducing their ability to hold a charge. This affects range and performance increasingly over time. An EV battery has a typical lifespan of between ten and twenty years but implementing good battery charging practices can ensure your EV battery is optimised.
Key factors affecting an EV battery lifespan are the number of charge cycles, extreme temperatures, charging habits and driving style.
What Are Electric Car Batteries Made of?
An electric car is powered by a traction battery, a type of rechargeable energy storage that supplies power to the electric motor quickly, providing high performance and rapid acceleration. EV car batteries are typically made from lithium-ion (Li-ion), and work in the same way as batteries in other appliances like mobile phones and laptops. Lithium-ion batteries are lightweight and rechargeable, making them ideal for use in electric cars and other vehicles.
The battery contains thousands of rechargeable lithium-ion cells that are connected in series. In an electric car, the battery pack is located in the floor of the vehicle between the wheelbases. This improves stability and saves space. EV batteries constructed with Lithium-ion technology are designed to last ten to twenty years, provided they receive proper care and maintenance.
Knowing the range of an electric car is essential to ensure it is always charged up and ready to go. If you know the range, you can plan journeys and avoid range anxiety!
Looking After Your EV Battery
Taking care of your EV battery will maximise range, lifespan and efficiency, so it’s important to build smart charging habits to protect battery health over the long term.
Use Eco Mode
An electric vehicle battery is designed to last for a certain number of charging cycles, so burning power driving in sport mode is only going to increase the number of times you need to recharge. Driving in eco mode preserves the life of your battery and also cuts down on running costs.
The 80/20 Rule
Following the 80/20 rule is the first step towards good battery health. This means keeping your battery charged above 20% and below 80% for normal daily use. It won’t harm your battery if you occasionally go above or below these levels, but regularly flouting this rule will eventually result in increased degradation.
Manage Charge Type
Use overnight AC charging for regular charges and opt for fast DC charging on long trips to maintain good overall battery health.
Check Your Speed
Driving at high speeds increases battery consumption leading to more charges. Avoid sudden acceleration and sharp braking to maintain an efficient driving style.
Avoid Extreme Temperatures
Something you may not be aware of is the impact of environmental temperature on your EV battery. In the winter months, there is a fall in EV range because cold weather stops battery cells from functioning at their optimum level. In extreme hot weather, the battery becomes similarly inefficient, reducing its power output and range. The key is to park your electric vehicle in a garage or sheltered area if possible.
Keep It Running
Regularly running and using your electric vehicle is beneficial for battery health, as it encourages consistent charge cycles and prevents degradation through battery inactivity. If you don’t drive around too much, make sure your EV car isn’t left inactive for more than one month.
Driving Style
Driving style plays an important role in battery health. Drive smoothly to maximise regenerative braking, switch off any unnecessary battery-draining features and keep your tyres inflated; if your tyres are low on air the car has to work extra hard. Tweak your style to get the most from your battery.
Reduce range anxiety with this Vital EV guide to best practices for battery charging. We are EV charging specialists, offering industry-leading AC and DC charging solutions. Contact the team to discuss design, installation, maintenance and support for your EV charger project.
Anna Eyre
Digital Marketing Lead
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