How to maximize EV battery life?

The average life of an electric car battery is estimated to be 10 years under normal driving conditions. While calendar aging is one of the main reasons affecting battery longevity, other factors such as extreme heat, an extreme state of charge, and fast charging can negatively impact the lifespan of an EV battery.

Here are your top 6tips to help you maximize your EV battery’s potential:

Tip #1 Do not fully use a battery all the time.

Avoid running a battery below a 10% state of charge and charging a battery above 80% or 90% on a regular basis.

Lithium-ion partial cycles are better for EV battery life because deep discharging damages the battery. Never let the battery discharge completely, as it may reduce your EV’s charge capacity and overall driving range.

Minimize fast charging to extend your EV battery life. Level 2 charging is sufficient for ordinary charging needs. Charge your EV fully only for long-distance trips and try to limit your SOC between 20-80%, especially for longer periods. Do not rush while charging.

Tip #2 Minimize exposure to extreme temperatures while charging, driving, or storage.

According to a AAA (American Automobile Association) study, the average electric car’s operating range drops by 41% when the ambient temperature dips to or below 20°F and by 17% when the temperature hits 95°F.

Furthermore, excessive cold or heat makes your EV work harder to maintain a comfortable cabin temperature—leaving less energy available for driving.

Choose a shaded spot to park your EV on a hot day and keep the battery cooler. Likewise, park in a garage in cold weather, as intense heat or cold severely impacts battery range and longevity.

Cooling your car before charging also helps in making your EV battery last longer. If you live in a hot climate, consider more active cooling to increase battery longevity.

Tip #3 Use DC fast charging (high-speed charging) sparingly because it can lead to premature capacity loss and micro-damage to battery materials.

Frequent usage of DC fast chargers can degrade EV batteries faster and affect the battery’s long-term performance—resulting in the battery lasting for a shorter time between charges. So, it is better to limit fast or rapid charging to emergencies and road trips.

Most batteries are built for standard Level 2 (or 220V) charging. Although fast charging is considered convenient, it pushes a lot of current into the EV battery life and causes the battery to degrade faster.

Studies indicate that 8 years of standard charging provides 10% more battery life compared to 8 years of fast charging.

Tip #4 Avoid heavy acceleration and maintain a consistent speed.

Abrupt acceleration or braking drains the battery quickly and results in performance problems. Apart from challenging driving conditions, aggressive driving or rapid acceleration will only lead to draining the battery faster.

So, driving at a moderate pace under reasonable driving conditions prevents quicker discharging of the battery.

Tip #5 Don’t plug your EV in every night. Similarly, don’t top it up to 100% when you don’t have to.

A full battery charge provides maximum operating time. However, an extreme state of charge is detrimental to the overall lifespan of your EV battery.

Tip #6 Check your EV owner’s manual for manufacturer recommendations on optimal charging, operating, and repair/replacement instructions.

Some EVs, like the Tesla Roadster, provide a “storage” setting to maintain a lower level of charge and optimize the life of individual battery cells.

Most of the EVs do not need immediate battery replacement because electric cars with original batteries can run 200,000 miles or more. Usually, replacing a few individual weak cells restores the battery to normal condition instead of replacing the entire battery.

Minimizing your EV exposure to extreme temperatures, choosing standard charging over fast charging, controlling the optimal state of charge, and maintaining a consistent speed are the primary ways of extending your EV battery life.

Among other factors, an EV’s longevity is enhanced by planned care and maintenance. Follow the tips in this post to get the most out of your EV and make it last longer for an enjoyable experience!