To maximize the lifespan of an electric vehicle (EV) battery, follow these best practices based on expert guidance and studies:
Maintain a Moderate State of Charge (20-80% Rule)
- Avoid charging your battery fully to 100% regularly. Most manufacturers and experts recommend limiting the charge to around 80% to reduce stress and degradation on the battery cells.
- Similarly, avoid letting the battery level drop below about 20%. Deep discharges can strain the battery and accelerate capacity loss.
- This 20-80% charging window is especially important if you do not drive the EV frequently or if planning long-term storage.
Charge Regularly
- Instead of waiting for the battery to be nearly empty, charge it regularly to keep the battery in the optimal charge range.
- Regular charging helps prevent deep discharges, which are detrimental to battery health.
Use Appropriate Charging Levels
- Prefer Level 1 (standard household outlet) or Level 2 (240V faster home charger) charging for daily use, as these maintain the battery temperature better and reduce stress.
- Avoid frequent use of Level 3 fast charging (supercharging) because high current rates generate extra heat, which can hasten degradation.
- However, real-world tests show that occasional fast charging has only a minor effect on battery capacity over time.
Avoid Extreme Temperatures
- Heat above roughly 86°F (30°C) and cold below 32°F (0°C) can damage lithium-ion batteries.
- Whenever possible, park your EV in a garage or shaded spot to protect the battery from temperature extremes.
Other Practical Tips
- Do not leave your EV plugged in after it reaches full charge, especially with older charging systems that may not have advanced controls.
- If storing the EV for a long time, recharge it to about 80% at least once every few months to avoid damage from a fully depleted battery.
- Optimize preconditioning and balanced charging if your vehicle offers these features, to further protect battery health.
By following these practices—keeping the battery charge mostly between 20% and 80%, charging regularly with moderate-speed chargers, avoiding extreme temperatures, and minimizing fast charging use—you ensure your EV battery maintains capacity and performance for as long as possible. This leads to better driving range, performance, and resale value over the lifetime of the vehicle.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/what-are-the-best-practices-for-charging-an-ev-battery-to-maximize-its-life/
