Key Strategies to Minimize Battery Degradation
- Maintain State of Charge Between 20% and 80%
Avoid charging the battery to full 100% or letting it drain below 20%. Operating near full charge or deep discharge accelerates degradation. Many EVs incorporate manufacturer-set buffers to enforce this charge window, which can sometimes be adjusted by the user or via software updates to optimize longevity. - Limit Use of DC Fast Charging
Frequent rapid charging generates significant heat and stresses the battery cells, speeding up degradation. It is preferable to charge using Level 1 or Level 2 chargers at home for daily use, reserving DC fast charging primarily for occasional trips. - Keep Battery Temperature Stable and Moderate
Exposure to extreme heat or cold degrades battery chemistry. Park in shaded or indoor areas to avoid temperature extremes, and use the vehicle’s thermal management system wisely. Allow the battery to cool before charging after long drives. - Drive Smoothly and Avoid Aggressive Acceleration
Moderate driving habits reduce battery strain and help maintain battery health over time. - Regular Battery Health Monitoring
Many modern EVs feature built-in battery management systems that monitor battery health and balance cell usage to slow degradation. Keeping battery software up to date ensures these systems operate optimally. - Use Battery Management Features and Updates
Some EVs allow owners to customize charging limits and benefit from over-the-air updates that improve battery management, balancing the trade-off between usable range and battery longevity.
Emerging Technologies and Innovations
- Advanced battery management systems now include micro-protection mechanisms for temperature, voltage, and current, enabling selective rest for cells to reduce wear.
- Active cell balancing technologies, such as Exro’s Cell Driver™, optimize cell capacity and extend battery lifespan.
Summary
Minimizing battery degradation in EVs primarily revolves around maintaining moderate charge levels, avoiding thermal extremes, limiting rapid charging, driving smoothly, and leveraging advanced battery management systems. These practices slow capacity loss, extend battery life significantly (potentially up to hundreds of thousands of miles), and improve overall vehicle efficiency and reliability.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-can-battery-degradation-in-evs-be-minimized/
