Your electric vehicle (EV) is like the heart of the battery, and good maintenance is incredibly important for keeping the life expectancy of the battery as well as the reliable performance of the vehicle. New EV owners may be confused about how to maintain the batteries, whereas longtime EV drivers will also find the tips here helpful in making their vehicles worth the investment. This guide will discuss crucial tips for maintaining your vehicle battery such as smart charging habits, and ideal storage conditions.
Why Electric Vehicle Battery Maintenance Matters
The batteries for electric vehicles have been built to last for a lot of years, like other components, they may not yield as much for you past the time factor if they are not taken care of properly. Regular maintenance and intelligent usage are the best ways to help delay the natural aging process, recharge performance of the batteries, and lengthen your EV’s longevity. The proper care of the battery will also improve the range and performance of the EV and make your trips happy and cost-effective. Find out more about the benefits of electric cars in the U.S. Department of Energy.
1) Charge Smartly to Preserve Battery Health
One very vital aspect of electric vehicle battery maintenance is to remember to follow a smart charging regimen. Here’s a list of tips that you can abide by to charge your EV in such a way as to minimize battery wear and tear:
1) Avoid Frequent Use of Fast Chargers
The fast chargers are helpful, particularly on long trips, but they are less to be trusted since they wear out the battery faster than others. To ensure your battery’s health, take advantage of Level 2 chargers for your daily charging needs and leave fast charging for moments that are not so frequent.
2) Keep Your Battery Level Between 20% and 80%
The cells will become damaged and weaken if you keep charging your battery to 100%, and also if you keep discharging it to under 10%. Instead, make sure to keep the battery level between 20% and 80% to be the one to use every day. Many EVs come with a pre-set charging limit in this range, which can aid to automate the process.
3) Charge During Off-Peak Hours
Charging your EV during off-peak hours will not only help to save money on electricity but also it will aid in reducing the load on the power grid. cooler temperatures during Off- Peak times can be kind to your battery and this can also promote long-term health of your battery.
Temperature Management: Keep Your Battery in Ideal Conditions
The temperature of the battery is one of the most significant parts of the battery’s life. Lugging it around in harsh conditions such as intense cold or heat can also severely affect the performance and lifespan of your battery. The best way to protect your battery is to manage the temperature effectively as suggested below:
1) Park in a Garage or Shaded Area
Whenever possible try to recharge your EV in a garage or in the shade to avoid intense temperatures. Excessive heat and prolonged exposure can lead to the battery degrading at a straight line, while cold weather will result in less range and efficiency. If the garage is not an option, you can use a car cover to protect your vehicle from sunlight directly.
2) Use Preconditioning Features
Most of the new EVs are equipped with preconditioning features that allow you to warm or cool the battery before the beginning of the trip. This feature is a great helper in unusual weather setting, as it helps the battery to come to an optimal temperature, leading to less cells being strained in the short run. Preconditioning while the car is still plugged in can also save battery energy.
3) Monitor Battery Temperature
As a particular type of electric vehicle, some hybrid models have this real-time battery temperature monitoring aspect integrated into their infotainment systems or mobile apps. Paying attention to battery temperature will allow you to take corrective action if the temperature starts getting hotter or colder faster than you can adjust it on your own. If you observe a recurring pattern of temperature issues, please feel free to reach out to the manufacturer or relevant service provider of your EV for assistance.
Storage Tips for Long-Term Battery Health
Properly storing your electric vehicle over long periods is essential regarding battery health. Here are some suggestions that you should consider:
1) Store Your EV with a Partial Charge
When you want to store your EV for almost a month, always try to keep its charge level at 50% or 60% % only. Keeping a battery always charged can be hazardous and it would lead to its damage. The storage conditions vary from one model to another; thus, always check your vehicle’s manual for suggestions about prolonged storage.
2) Disconnect or Use a Maintenance Charger
When your EV is going to be kept idle for a long time, either detach its battery or apply a maintenance charger to balance the charging level at a stable state. Through that, the battery will not end up slowly depleting until the point of deep discharge when the battery gets badly damaged.
3) Avoid Storing in Extreme Temperatures
The same way you do not want your device to be exposed to intense heat or cold for too long, you should also avoid extreme environments when placing the battery into storage. Keeping your EV in a climate-controlled space would be ideal if possible. However, if this is not an option, at least make some effort to prevent any extreme heating or cooling; both phenomena have a destructive ability for batteries over time.
Regular Inspections and Maintenance
In addition to the tips above, carrying out regular inspections and maintenance is mandatory for ensuring that your battery remains in good condition. Below are some maintenance tasks that you can consider:
1) Regularly Inspect Battery Health
In-built diagnostics of many EVs allow you to check the health of your battery very easily. By regularly checking your battery status via your vehicle’s app or dashboard, you can ascertain if it is working correctly. If you find any large drops in range or performance, it is the right time to ask a professional to inspect the battery.
2) Stay Up-to-Date with Software Updates
One of the important improvements in battery management systems that software updates can bring is the optimization of the performance and increase of the battery’s lifespan. To benefit from these advancements, ensure that the software of your EV is up-to-date.
3) Schedule Professional Battery Inspections
Your battery must be inspected by a professional if you detect any problems like diminishing range or slow charging. A qualified technician would carry out a complete diagnostic and recommend any adjustments, or repairs if necessary, to keep your battery in a top condition. Consumer Reports gives advice on how to properly maintain EVs including their batteries.
Conclusion
The maintenance of your EV’s battery is a necessity to maximize its lifespan, protect its range, and guarantee the performance’s trustworthiness. Whether you choose to adopt these battery-maintenance methods or manage those habits, the right way will be, in any case, solving the storage problems in the first place, starting with the battery and ending with the overall design, thus obtaining the maximum value out of your electric vehicle investment.
The book provides valuable information about electric vehicle maintenance and refers to the rechargeable electric vehicle guide, which shows the way of extending the life expectancy of electric vehicles.