Extreme heat significantly affects the lifespan and performance of electric vehicle (EV) batteries, primarily lithium-ion types, through accelerated degradation and efficiency loss.
How Extreme Heat Affects EV Battery Lifespan
- Accelerated degradation: Exposure to temperatures around or above 40°C (104°F) leads to overheating of battery cells, which accelerates chemical reactions inside the battery. These reactions cause the battery to age faster, reducing its overall lifespan.
- Premature aging: Studies show that temperatures above about 85°F (29°C) speed up the deterioration process of lithium-ion batteries. This aging occurs not only during use but also when the battery is at rest, especially if the vehicle is parked in direct sunlight without cooling.
- Chemical and electrochemical stress: High heat increases the flow of ions within the battery, causing unwanted chemical reactions that degrade battery components more rapidly.
- Thermal runaway risk: In extreme heat conditions, there is also a risk of thermal runaway, a dangerous situation where the battery cells uncontrollably overheat, potentially causing fires.
Effects on Battery Performance and Range
- Reduced efficiency: High ambient temperatures cause the entire battery system—including electrochemical, electrical, and electronic components—to heat up, which lowers efficiency. For instance, in extreme heat, battery efficiency can drop to about 90% of normal performance at moderate temperatures (25–30°C).
- Range loss: EVs operating in temperatures above roughly 38°C (100°F) may suffer a 20 to 30% reduction in driving range due to heat affecting battery capacity and efficiency.
Mitigation Measures
- Thermal management systems: Most modern EVs incorporate active thermal management systems to cool batteries and maintain optimal operating temperatures. However, the effectiveness of these systems may vary and often only operate fully when the vehicle is charging or plugged in, leaving batteries vulnerable to heat damage when parked and idle.
- Environmental impact: EVs in warmer climates experience faster battery degradation compared to those in cooler regions, confirming that climate plays a major role in EV battery longevity.
In summary, extreme heat shortens EV battery lifespan by accelerating chemical degradation and reducing performance, with risks including significant efficiency loss, reduced driving range, and in extreme cases, thermal runaway. Effective battery thermal management is crucial to mitigating these effects but may not fully protect batteries under persistent high-temperature conditions.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-does-extreme-heat-affect-the-lifespan-of-ev-batteries/
