How to Extend EV Battery Life and What are the Factors Affecting It?

If you want to use your electric car's full potential, you must maximise the lifespan of your battery pack. This is not only a matter of price but also range and efficiency.

EV batteries wear out because of charge-discharge cycles, prolonged heat exposure, and age. Nonetheless, you can extend some of these resources by utilising intelligent moves such as consistent charging and limiting overexposure to extreme conditions.

Read on to learn some of the practical tips and essential determinants on how to extend EV battery life.

Electric vehicle (EV) battery packs comprise thousands of lithium-ion (Li-ion) cells, which are charged when the vehicle is plugged in and discharged as it drives. 

The number of charge cycles determines the lifespan of an EV battery — each complete charge and discharge. Over time, as the battery undergoes more cycles, its capacity diminishes, meaning it holds less charge and takes longer to recharge.

This gradual degradation happens because each charging and discharging cycle affects the battery's overall health. As the battery ages, it can no longer reach its total capacity, leading to shorter driving ranges between charges.

You need a combination of smart driving habits and proper charging techniques to get the most out of your electric vehicle's battery. By reducing factors like deep discharges and fast charging, you can slow down the natural wear and tear that affects battery performance over time.

Let’s take a look at a few of them:

Park in the Shade or Plug-In to Avoid Extreme Heat

Leaving your EV parked in direct sunlight without being plugged in can lead to battery stress from overheating. The car's thermal management system will work overtime to keep things cool, using valuable battery power unnecessarily. Instead, park in the shade or keep your car plugged in so the cooling system runs on grid power, not the battery. 

Don’t Always Charge to 100%

EVs have an inbuilt battery management system that helps to avoid complications caused by charging the battery too much or too low. Repeatedly charging a battery to the maximum will still affect battery life. Although maximal EV charging is essential, especially when long distances have to be covered, it is not the best practice for battery longevity. 

Limit Fast Charging

Fast charging is incredibly convenient when you’re in a rush, but it puts a lot of strain on your battery by quickly pushing a large amount of current into it. Over time, this can accelerate battery degradation. 

Although it may not be immediately noticeable, avoiding frequent fast charging can preserve your battery, extending its life by up to 10% over several years compared to regular charging.

Maintain a Moderate Charge Level for Long Storage

If you're not using your EV for an extended period, avoid leaving it with a full or empty battery. This can strain the battery's capacity, even when the car is stationary. Instead, aim to keep the charge level between 25% and 75%, and use a timer to maintain this range if you're leaving your car parked for a long time. 

Battery capacity is the most important factor affecting how far a vehicle can be driven. When batteries age, the energy they can store reduces, decreasing the car's driving range and its value over time.

Battery Capacity

• It is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh).
• This is critical in determining the vehicle's range on a single charge.
• More extensive kWh ratings lead to an increase in travelling distances.
• Most EV battery packs range from 30 to 100 kWh.
• A battery with higher capacity delivers better fuel efficiency.

Battery Lifespan

• This is a vital consideration for EV owners.
• It is often assumed to last up to 65,000 miles but doesn’t fail suddenly.
• The ability to hold a full charge decreases over time and impacts the performance and range.

Warranty

• In most cases, electric vehicle batteries have an 8-year or 100,000-mile warranty.
• However, optional extended coverage may be available.
• Tesla provides up to 150,000 miles of warranty on specific models, ensuring 70% battery capacity retention during that time.

Replacement and Repairs

• EV batteries are mostly covered under these warranties.
• For replacements or repairs, it is advisable to visit service providers appointed by the manufacturers.
• Proper handling is mandatory so as not to violate the warranty terms.

The main culprits behind battery degradation are extreme temperatures, charge cycles, and time. Understanding the factors below helps in optimising battery health:

Chemical Reactions Within the Battery

Energy in EV batteries is generated through chemical reactions. Most electric vehicles use lithium-ion batteries, which naturally lose about 2.3% of their initial range yearly. This gradual degradation affects battery performance over time.

State of Charge (SOC) Levels

Lithium-ion batteries operate best when not fully charged or completely drained. Maintaining a moderate state of charge helps preserve battery health, especially over long periods. Keeping the battery between 20% and 80% charge is ideal for longevity.

Temperature Extremes

Electric vehicles perform best in moderate climates. Extreme heat or cold can lead to faster battery wear, especially when the EV is parked and not plugged in. Avoiding such conditions to protect your battery from premature degradation is important.

Heat in Hot Climates

Hot weather accelerates the depletion of lithium-ion batteries, which is why EVs in warmer climates often experience faster degradation. To combat this, many EVs are equipped with liquid-cooled thermal management systems that help maintain optimal battery temperature and extend its life.

Impact of Fast Charging

Using DC fast-charging stations (Level 3) can significantly degrade the battery over time. While fast charging can boost the battery to 80% capacity in just 30 minutes, the process generates a lot of heat, which may reduce both the lifespan and performance of the battery in the long run. 

Studies have shown frequent fast charging can result in up to 10% degradation over eight years.

To maximise the EV battery life, follow these energy-saving tips: 

• Lithium-ion batteries suffer from deep discharges. Avoid running your battery below 10% regularly, as it can decrease the overall lifespan. Keep the charge level within a moderate range to prolong battery life.
• Charging your vehicle at regular intervals, rather than random times or overcharging, helps extend battery life.
• Maximise using regenerative braking to recover energy that would otherwise be lost. This helps maintain the battery's efficiency and can extend your EV’s range over time.
• Charge your EV in moderate temperatures whenever possible. Both excessive heat and cold can negatively impact charging efficiency and battery longevity.
• Rapid acceleration and sudden braking drain the battery faster. Maintaining a steady pace while driving optimises energy usage and extends battery life.
• Keep your EV’s software up to date. Manufacturers often release updates that improve battery management and extend battery life.
• When planning long trips, choose routes with fewer hills and inclines. Steep terrain consumes more energy, which can lead to quicker battery depletion.
• Climate control, especially air conditioning or heating, uses much battery power. Pre-cool or pre-heat your car while it’s plugged in so the energy comes from the grid rather than your battery. 
• To reduce "range anxiety" (the fear of running out of battery), monitor your range using onboard tools or apps. This lets you plan your charging times better and avoid unnecessary charging sessions that might stress the battery.
• In addition to parking in shaded areas during hot weather and using a garage in the cold, it’s a good practice to use more active cooling systems is a good practice if you live in extreme climates. Managing the internal and external temperature of the battery ensures longer life and better performance.

Protecting your electric car battery health from different factors such as extreme temperatures and fast charging or keeping it at a balanced state of charge will significantly increase its lifespan. 

Such practices and responsible driving habits will keep the batteries' combats effective and deliver savings and better electric performance of the EV for a longer time.