The following article explains what affects battery life and how you can extend it.
Every car enthusiast has heard that the battery of an electric car is one of the most expensive parts. Repairing or replacing it is always an expensive decision and not a pleasant one at all.
The battery will last longer with these tips.
Do not fully charge the battery or charge it to 0%. The most comfortable charge level for the battery is 75-80%. Although some electric car models already have this ratio. At near-zero full discharge, the battery still has a 10% margin. Conversely, a 100% charge will actually reach 80%. In this way, car manufacturers are trying to extend the life of the battery.
Minimize constant current charging. Especially in hot weather to avoid overheating the battery. This review is useful if you want to quickly charge your battery in the garage. Use portable electric car chargers with a powerful outlet at home.
In the summer, take more frequent breaks when driving around town. This helps prevent the battery from overheating. Leave your car in the shade during these breaks.
Don't let the car idle. Your electric car's battery should be kept running as often as possible because prolonged non-use also affects the life of the battery.
How long does a battery last?
Only the manufacturers of the chosen electric car model can answer this question. In addition, there is always a warranty for the battery. The average warranty is 7 to 10 years, which corresponds to about 200,000 miles of driving. Either way, when you buy a car, you should be prepared to deal with this problem sooner or later.
What kills an electric car battery?
The profitability of an electric car battery is affected by a number of factors:
Number of years;
Lack of cooling of the battery;
How an electric car battery is charged;
Frequent use at low charge levels;
Power cycling.
The battery does not deteriorate in cold weather, despite the concerns of many owners. The most unpleasant aspect of freezing temperatures is that the battery's charge level decreases. For this reason, the use of most comfort features must be limited. But for drivers who drive an electric car primarily in urban areas, this problem will not be critical. Today, the infrastructure for battery-powered cars is well developed and it is possible to recharge in almost every parking lot of shopping center. Those in a hurry will be allowed to choose fast-charging stations.
In addition to the natural degradation of the battery over time, a common cause of capacity reduction is the lack of a cooling system. The Chevy Bolt, for example, does not have a proper battery cooling system, despite its popularity with urban drivers. Sure, nothing happens during a short drive, but if you drive for several hours in an active city in the blazing sun, the battery needs to cool down a bit.