If you own an electric vehicle (EV), the battery is a super important part. It’s vital to do what’s needed to help it last, so your EV keeps running well and holds its worth. In this piece, we will share important advice on how to use your electric car battery the right way, keep it charged, and take care of it to make it last longer.
Understanding the Importance of Battery Care
Your EV’s battery is like its heart, with its state impacting your car’s reach and dependability. Although all batteries slowly worsen as time passes, the correct attention could slow this down and extend your EV’s battery life. By applying these handy hints, you can maintain your battery in a better way, hence, potentially increase its health.
1) Avoid Frequent Fast Charging
Rapid charging is a boon, particularly on journeys. Nonetheless, it may generate additional heat and exert more strain on the battery. Consequently, this could accelerate the battery’s deterioration over time. To prolong your electric vehicle battery’s lifespan, be careful with rapid charging. Think about utilizing Level 2 chargers for everyday charging tasks. Gain further understanding of how rapid charging may affect an EV battery’s longevity.
2) Maintain Optimal Charging Levels
It might seem like a good idea to charge your electric car fully. However, regular full charges can stress the battery. Try to keep your battery’s charge level within 20% to 80% for everyday usage. This practice can lessen the strain on the battery and help it last longer.
Temperature Management: Protecting Your Battery from Extremes
Your EV’s battery life can be affected by temperature. Damage from the cold or rust can make your battery stop working properly.
1) Avoid Extreme Temperatures
Always try to park your EV in a place like a garage or under a tree, especially when the weather is too hot or too cold. This is to guard the battery from severe weather effects. Hot conditions can harm the battery, while cold ones are not good as well. They lessen its capacity and decrease your traveling time for a while.
2) Use Preconditioning Features
Many of the latest electric cars come with functions that manage the battery’s temperature before you begin your trip. This beneficial tech is most effective in bad weather situations. It’s ideal to tweak it while your car is still hooked up to the charger. This guarantees the battery temperature remains optimal without squandering any power.
Regular Maintenance and Monitoring
Pay attention to the health of your car’s battery. Fixing problems on time can save it from major harm. This will keep your electric vehicle in top shape.
1) Monitor Battery Health Regularly
Electric cars typically have tools built in to monitor the battery health. These devices give warnings when the battery’s performance seems off. Spotting these hitches early helps avoid wider troubles. To learn more about looking after EV batteries, visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s online site.
2) Schedule Professional Check-Ups
Just as with a regular car, experts can fix battery problems in an electric vehicle with frequent inspections. With their routine tests and safety procedures, they ensure your battery gets top-notch care.
Driving Habits That Support Battery Longevity
Your driving habits can impact how long your EV battery lasts. Here are some simple habits to avoid harming your battery:
1) Drive at Moderate Speeds
Driving quickly drains the battery faster. It also heats up the battery quicker. Keeping a consistent speed, particularly on freeways, helps the battery last longer. This is accomplished by conserving energy and lessening the strain on the battery.
2) Use Regenerative Braking
Electric cars have the ability to recycle energy through regenerative braking. This helps in extending their drive distance and decreasing brake deterioration. Using this method regularly is vital for saving energy, and it keeps the battery healthy.
Storing Your EV: Tips for Battery Care During Inactivity
Understanding the right way to store your electric car while unused for a long time is crucial for the battery’s health.
1) Store with a Partial Charge
Keeping your car’s battery at 50% to 70% when not in use is smart. Too much charge or almost no charge can hurt the battery over time. So, always dodge these situations.
2) Check Battery Health During Long-Term Storage
Should you typically their electric vehicle for numerous months, it’s vital to frequently check on the battery’s health and power level. If reasonable, ensure your car is typically connected to a power source. Doing this will sustain a full battery life and avoid it from fully draining.
Conclusion
You can ensure the longevity and dependability of your electric car’s battery by taking care of it. Follow certain guidelines like keeping the charge optimum, controlling its surrounding temperature, and adopting correct driving practices. This will aid in prolonging the lifespan of your electric vehicle’s most vital part, the battery.
If you want to know more about how to take care of your EV, have a look at our manual around crucial upkeep suggestions for your electric car.