An Electric Vehicle (EV) battery may shed around 2.3 percent of its range each year if kept correctly. That’s 17km of range over five years from an EV vehicle with a battery capacity of 150km, which shouldn’t affect your commutes.
Z Energy has provided some tips to help people preserve their battery's lifespan and get the most out of their investment.
The first tip is to charge an EV in small, frequent intervals instead of one large charge. The depth of discharge is the amount of power used between charges, and batteries last longer with lower depths of discharge.
Secondly, lining up the daily commute is important. Charging an EV right before use whenever possible helps reduce the amount of time electricity is being stored at a high percent, which can help maintain battery health over time.
Z Energy also recommended keeping to 80/20, keeping the battery’s charge between 20 percent and 80 percent charge. Maintaining a minimum charge level extends the battery’s lifespan. Keeping under 80 percent charge leaves room for EV’s regenerative braking systems to regain charge as users drive if this feature applies to their EV.
Keeping under 80 percent charge leaves room for EV’s regenerative braking systems to regain charge as you drive.
Temperatures over 35 degrees Celsius can cause battery degradation, while range can take a temporary dive if it’s under 10 degrees Celsius. Cold temperatures can affect the battery's ability to deliver power.
Park in shaded areas when warm or in the garage when cold. The car’s systems have to warm up the battery before charging can begin, and the battery has to have enough power left for those systems to run.
To take care of the EV's battery during inactivity, follow the manufacturer's guidelines on storing it with the right charge for the right amount of time.
