Driving Habits and Battery Longevity
- Stop-and-Go Traffic vs. Constant Speed:
- Real-world Habits: Studies suggest that real-world driving habits, including stop-and-go traffic and varied driving conditions, might actually benefit EV batteries, potentially making them last longer than expected. This is because lab testing methods often involve constant cycling, which does not accurately reflect real-world usage patterns.
- Impact: Variations in speed, such as those encountered in stop-and-go traffic, can help prolong battery life by reducing the impact of high, continuous discharge rates.
- Aggressive Driving:
- Impact: Aggressive driving, including rapid acceleration and braking, can increase stress on the battery, leading to faster degradation. This type of driving tends to cause more heat buildup, which is harmful to lithium-ion batteries.
- Temperature Management:
- Impact: Extreme temperatures can affect battery health. Hot climates, in particular, can accelerate degradation if combined with frequent fast charging.
- Charging Habits:
- Fast Charging: Frequent use of DC fast charging, especially in hot climates, can accelerate battery degradation. Level 2 charging is typically gentler on batteries.
- Charge Levels: Keeping the battery charged between 20% and 80% can help extend its life. Avoiding deep discharges (below 30%) and not fully charging (above 90%) can reduce wear.
- Frequency of Charging:
- Impact: Minimizing the number of charge cycles by avoiding unnecessary charges can prolong battery life. Charging every day unless necessary should be avoided.
Best Practices for Extending Battery Life
- Moderate Driving: Avoid aggressive driving habits.
- Optimal Charging: Use Level 2 charging when possible, and keep the battery level between 20% and 80%.
- Temperature Management: Avoid extreme temperatures, especially heat.
- Charge Cycles: Minimize frequent and unnecessary charging.
By understanding these factors and adopting best practices, EV owners can significantly extend the lifespan of their vehicle’s battery.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-does-driving-habits-impact-the-longevity-of-an-ev-battery/
