Battery degradation is one of the biggest worries for EV owners, and rightly so. The battery is undoubtedly one of the most expensive components of an electric car. Replacing it is not only costly but can be super troublesome too.
Thatâs why itâs important for EV owners to practice good driving habits that will help extend their batteryâs lifespan. To help you, weâve compiled 4 simple tips that will slow down battery degradation and extend your EVâs battery life!
Avoid Using Fast/Rapid Charging
Fast charging time is a huge draw for drivers looking to buy an EV. Automakers understand that this is one of the keys to mass EV adoption.
However, rapid charging has a drawback that not many people know about — it causes your battery packs to wear faster.
So, to ensure that you donât damage the lifespan of your battery and reduce its capacity over time, make sure you donât use fast chargers all the time. But donât worry, using it every now and then is fine, just not every day!
Avoid Discharging More Quickly than Needed
The instant acceleration you get behind the wheel of an EV is a unique feature that drivers love. We know that itâs tough to resist accelerating hard with all the torque available in your hands (or feet). But too much of a good thing is always a bad thing!
If you cultivate this habit of accelerating hard often, itâll diminish your EVâs battery life rather quickly. So, just like rapid charging, donât do this often. Instead, you should only enjoy this occasionally.
Minimize Time Spent at a High State of Charge
Having your EV battery at a high state of charge, which is considered to be a capacity of more than 80%, for long periods of time will certainly reduce the lifespan of your battery. This is because lithium-ion batteries tend to last longer when used within the 20% to 80% range.
Additionally, as it takes considerably longer for your battery to charge from 80% to 100%, having it at 100% all the time not only reduces its lifespan but itâll be wasting your time too!
Minimize Time Spent at Low State of Charge
Similarly, if your battery is always under 20%, itâll affect your batteryâs lifespan as the optimal battery charge state is between 20% and 80%.
If your battery is always under 20%, youâll constantly face the danger of your EV self-discharging to 0 and shut off. This is because your EVâs battery management system typically shuts off well before reaching 0%. So if you leave your car unplugged for a prolonged period, you might need to call a tow truck for help!
