Proper EV battery maintenance is vital for optimal performance and longevity. Most importantly, it saves you unnecessary battery repair costs.
But how do you maintain your EV battery lifespan and range?
Don’t worry!
Our comprehensive EV maintenance guide covers useful tips to help you maximize battery performance and minimize degradation.
Let’s dive in.
This Article Contains:
5 Proven EV Battery Maintenance Tips for Best Performance
Follow these simple electric vehicle maintenance best practices to improve battery longevity and performance:
1. Use the Right Charging Levels and Infrastructure
You must use appropriate charging levels (battery charging speeds) and a reliable EV charger to maintain your EV battery life. Here’s a quick overview of the different charging levels:
- Level 1: This level is designed for home charging. It involves using a standard 120-volt AC outlet and is the slowest EV charging method, requiring 11-20 hours for a full charge from empty. Level 1 home charging is ideal for short daily commutes or when your EV is parked for an extended period.
- Level 2: Faster than Level 1, it uses a 240-volt AC power source and takes about 3 to 8 hours for a full charge. You can install a level 2 charging station at home or use a public one. It’s suitable for daily EV charging needs, especially if you have a long commute or need to recharge your battery during the day.
- Level 3: Also known as fast charging or DC fast charging, it’s typically found at public charging stations. This charging level uses 400 volts or more and can charge from 5% to 80% in roughly 45 minutes. However, the DC fast charger should only be used during long trips or when you’re short on time, as it can lead to increased wear on the battery compared to slower charging levels.
Note: A faulty charger or poorly maintained charging infrastructure can accelerate degradation by causing battery charging problems like uneven or rapid charging, overcharging, and overheating.
2. Maintain an Optimal State of Charge
Whether you drive your EV daily or plan to park it for a week, month, or more, it’s best to maintain the battery within an optimal charge range of 20% to 80% battery capacity. Frequent fast charging to 100% or deep discharges (below 20%) can accelerate battery degradation, leading to sluggish acceleration, weak braking, and reduced battery life.
Limiting the EV battery charge to less than 80% also allows the car to use regenerative braking for producing and storing energy.
What’s regenerative braking?
It’s an energy recovery mechanism that converts kinetic energy generated during braking into electrical energy.
3. Minimize EV Battery Exposure to Extreme Temperature
EV battery degradation speeds up when exposed to extreme temperature conditions. If the battery pack gets too cold, it reduces power. And if it gets too hot, it can wear out faster.
So, park your car indoors, use a cover, or find shade to maintain battery health when it’s hot or freezing outside.
And that’s not all!
Before charging the EV battery pack, use the preconditioning feature to adjust your car’s cabin and battery to the operating temperature. This helps improve charging efficiency and maintain battery health in the long run.
4. Limit High-Speed Driving
When driving at high speeds, your electric car battery generates more heat to power the vehicle. Over time, this can shorten the EV battery life.
Maintaining moderate speeds allows the battery to operate more efficiently and effectively.
5. Maintain Recommended Tire Pressure
Under-inflated EV tires create more friction with the road surface, causing your EV to consume more energy to move forward. This results in a shorter driving range per charge, uneven tire wear, reduced tire lifespans, and compromised vehicle handling and safety.
Modern EV owners or EV drivers can also refer to their owner manuals for electric vehicle maintenance tips on charging, operation, battery repair, and software updates.
Want to know more about your electric car battery?
We’ve got you covered.
4 FAQs about EV Batteries
Here are answers to four common questions about EV batteries:
1. How Do EV Car Batteries Work?
An electric vehicle battery stores energy to power the vehicle’s electric motor. Here’s how it operates:
- Charging and energy storage: When the EV is plugged into the EV charging station, electricity flows from the charger into the battery pack. In the battery pack, there are small units called cells. Each cell has a positive side (cathode), a negative side (anode), and a special liquid (electrolyte). When charging, electrons move through the electrolyte from the cathode to the anode, where they are stored.
- Discharging: As the driver presses the accelerator, electricity is drawn from the battery. The electrons then move from the anode back to the cathode through the electrolyte medium, generating an electric current in the process.
- Driving: The electric motor uses the electricity generated from the battery to drive the wheels, propelling the vehicle forward.
- Regenerative braking: When the driver brakes, the electric motor converts some of the vehicle’s kinetic energy back into electrical energy. This energy is then fed back into the battery for storage, improving overall efficiency and extending the vehicle’s range.
2. What Are the Types of Electric Car Batteries?
Here are some of the main types of EV car batteries:
- Lithium-ion (Li-ion): The lithium-ion battery is commonly used in modern EV models because it’s compact, light, and long-lasting. However, there are many different types of lithium-ion batteries, including:
- Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4)
- Lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2)
- Lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide (LiNiCoMnO2 or NMC)
- Lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (LiNiCoAlO2 or NCA)
- Solid-state batteries: This electric vehicle battery uses a solid electrolyte instead of the liquid in traditional lithium-ion batteries. It offers potential advantages regarding energy density, safety, and longer battery lifespan. However, solid-state batteries are still being developed and tested for widespread use in EVs.
- Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH): NiMH batteries aren’t common in fully electric cars but are used in some hybrid cars. They’re reliable and safe but don’t store as much energy as lithium-ion batteries.
- Lead-acid batteries: These batteries are older and heavier than lithium-ion batteries. They’re still used in older electric vehicles and hybrids but not in newer EVs.
3. How Long Do Electric Car Batteries Last?
An EV battery pack lasts 15 to 20 years or up to 200,000 miles. However, the actual EV battery life can vary based on battery usage, the type of battery, driving conditions, and maintenance practices.
Note: Proper disposal of old or damaged EV batteries is crucial as they are highly flammable and toxic.
4. How Much Does an EV Battery Replacement Cost?
An electric vehicle battery replacement for a lithium-ion battery typically costs between $6,500 to $20,000, depending on the type of battery. The final price depends on the battery size, manufacturer, vehicle make, and mechanic’s labor charge.
Note: If battery degradation occurs during the warranty period, the manufacturer may replace it free of cost.
Maximize EV Battery Lifespan and Performance
EV drivers who prioritize battery care and maintenance experience fewer unexpected issues with their EV battery life or performance. Whether you’re well-versed or new to electric cars, you should follow the tips in our guide to maintain battery health and performance.
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