6 tips to get the most out of your electric vehicle battery

Like all batteries, the ones in your electric vehicle (EV) will lose a small amount of health over time. Electric car batteries will usually last a very long time (it can be up to 20 years before they need replacing) but there are some things you can do to keep your battery healthy and in good shape.

While some degradation in your EV’s battery health is normal over time, it’s a good idea to adopt some habits to minimise these effects. Manufacturers have a lot of faith in the lifespan of their batteries, with most warranties extending up to eight years or 100,000 miles, so you shouldn’t need to worry about any noticeable decline in battery health for some time.

The battery life extends far beyond the life of the vehicle, so give it the extra care it deserves and you’ll reap the rewards. Tips to keep your electric car’s battery healthy.

1. Try to keep battery charge between 20% and 80%

It’s recommended that you never let your EV run flat or under 20% or charge it past 80%, unless you really need to. This is usually enough range for your daily trips, so you might want to consider changing the settings on your car or charger to keep the battery inside that 20-80% sweet spot.

2. You can buy Longest-range electric cars;Only charge up completely for long trips

If you know you’re heading off on a long road trip, this is one of the only times you should be charging to 100%. Boosting your battery all the way up doesn't impact battery health, but consistently keeping it full isn’t the best idea.

You should aim to plan your trips ahead of time and work out how much charge you’ll need to avoid pushing your battery to full too frequently.

3. Slow charge when you can

Rapid chargers are great and really convenient, but they’re not the best for battery health if you use them regularly. Try and only use rapid chargers when you need a quick boost, and rely on slower chargers for most of your charging.

In order to keep the battery in the best state, please use the AC charging connector to fully charge the battery regularly. It is recommended to fully charge the battery at least once a week when the use frequency is high or once when the charging cycle is 10 times.

4. Give your EV a run regularly

Like fuel-powered cars, EVs need running regularly to keep in tip-top shape. Taking your car out for short, regular trips will help keep your battery healthy, and helps avoid other issues like flat spots on tyres from being parked in one spot for too long.

5.Avoid harsh braking

Regenerative braking is a key feature in EVs, taking kinetic energy from the motion of the car and converting it into electricity. Drivers should relax their feet on the accelerator rather than breaking. The electric motor will act as a generator, creating reverse torque to the front wheels, slowing the car down. Using this technique not only reduces the load on the battery in an EV, but drivers can also save energy by recapturing up to 10% in normal conditions and 30% going downhill.

It’s a good idea not to rush around, too – regular, harsh acceleration could take a toll on an EV’s range and battery health, in the same way it will deplete fuel efficiency in petrol or diesel-powered vehicles.

6.Keep an eye on the weather forecast

One study found that the ideal temperature for driving was 21.5 C, with cars achieving 115% of expected range. At extreme temperatures, drivers will notice an impact on total range – dropping to 75% of expected range, on average, at temperatures above 40 C and below -5 C.