The transition to net-zero emissions has helped to drive the Electric Vehicle (EV) market. A recent study conducted by Marketsandmarkets reveals that the global EV battery market is anticipated to rise from USD132.6 billion in 2023 to USD508.8 billion by 2033 with a CAGR of 14.4%. Longer battery life, shorter and faster charging time, and larger driving ranges are some of the factors that most consumers look at when they want to choose an EV. Start with the battery – like anything automotive, the battery is the primary of any electric vehicle. It is important to know about the common EV battery health issues for performance and durability in addition to overall efficiency when driving an EV.
So, what exactly is EV battery health, and why should you care?
What is EV Battery Health?
EV battery health, also known as the State of Health (SOH), refers to the condition of the battery relative to its capacity when newly installed on an EV. However, as aforementioned, battery health is not the same as battery capacity, and this should go down well with individuals who already know that. Therefore, a battery’s capacity is the battery’s total charge stored; health is the ability of the battery to deliver this stored charge. A new battery will give its very best performance. The amount of energy it can deliver at this state reflects its full capacity. The battery’s health decreases gradually as the battery discharges through charge/discharge cycles over time. A healthy battery is critical to achieving optimal EV range, acceleration, and performance. Hence taking good care of the battery means that one will be able to save a lot of money in the long run. If properly maintained, the battery can go the whole lifetime of the car and hence eliminate frequent battery replacement.
Factors Affecting EV Battery Health
What follows are the few factors that contribute to the overall health of an EV battery and are important to know:
Charging Behaviors
It is also recommended not to charge the battery frequently, charge it above the recommended voltage or let it discharge to almost no capacity as these cause wear on the battery. To charge your portable computer appropriately, it is necessary to consider some basic charging guidelines and refrain from draining the battery completely.
Extreme Temperature
High temperatures as well as low ones are also detrimental to batteries, as they increase the deterioration rate. Like every other object, batteries also have to be in a moderately warm environment and not in a boiling hot car or a freezing cold environment.
Driving Patterns
High rate acceleration, high speed, hard cornering, etc., put extra load on a battery that in turn gets degraded quickly. By practicing eco-driving, it is possible to extend the battery’s useful life cycle – the key aspect of the drivetrain as a vehicle component.
Battery Maintenance and Care
It is necessary to maintain batteries to get the best efficiency level for the longest time possible. Suitable self-discharging, charging, EV battery management, software updates, and battery health checks play a crucial role in understanding the battery health status and may assist in stopping the degradation at an early stage.
How to Extend Your EV Battery Life
While EV battery life can vary depending on several factors, most manufacturers estimate their batteries to last between 8 to 10 years or 100,000 to 150,000 miles. However, it’s important to note that this is just an estimate, and the actual lifespan can be shorter or longer depending on how well the battery is maintained.
Tesla, as an example, provides a warranty for batteries of exactly 8 years warranty. This warranty is valid for approximately 100,000 to 150,000 miles based on the ranges and types of the car. This warranty not only keeps the battery pack from failing totally but also prevents the performance of the battery pack from degenerating. Overcharging cycles, Lithium-ion battery packs are noted to lose a small percentage of the available total capacity. In a recent report about electric vehicles, the U. S. Department of Energy estimates that batteries of today’s electric vehicles are expected to have a long life over the warranty period. Battery pack in moderate climates may last 12 to 15 years. If your EV is used in harder conditions more often, then, it would be best to have one that would last for 8 to 12 years. Extending the life of your EV battery is not only environmentally friendly but can also save you money in the long run.
Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your electric car battery:
1. Try to park the car in areas where it cannot be exposed to very high temperatures
It reduces the power consumption when not running and park in a shaded area or plug in to avoid draining the batteries for heating or cooling when parked off. Indeed, stopping in a parking lot and being exposed to direct sunlight can be unbeneficial as it may drain the batteries when not connected to an electricity source.
2. Do not take the battery to 100% of its state of charge
Batteries are and should not be kept fully charged or fully depleted. (Further reading of battery DoD) It also safeguards against charges that are too high, which is another significant benefit because of the effects on the battery. Full charge ensures that the battery can power a device to the optimum limit, but it will cost the battery over time since the battery will decompose at an alarming rate.
3. Limit fast charging
It is a charging method that charges batteries by pushing high currents promptly and, therefore, can stress batteries. Having charged my device to its full capacity consistently for eight and a half years through normal charging provided me with 10% more battery capacity than using fast charging alone.
4. Optimal charge for long storage
For situations where the battery is seldom used or stored over the long term, a timed charger should be used to keep the battery at 25-75% charge only. Discharging it to 0% or charging it up to 100% when it is stored for the long term is detrimental to batteries.
Conclusion
Maintaining the battery of your EV is not only an excellent way to ensure a long life of the battery but also an environmentally friendly measure. This way, you do not need to replace the battery often, thus sparing the environment additional stress when owning an EV. Charging ahead with confidence into the era of electric mobility. Be proactive in ensuring that your EV’s battery is well cared for – seek information like the MokoEnergy BMS for EV, to maximize battery performance and potential lifespan. If in doubt however consult relevant EV service providers and enjoy a safe, comfortable, and more importantly eco-friendly drive.
