Prolong Your Electric Vehicle Battery’s Life By Avoiding 6 Mistakes
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by Christina Lee Modern Electric Vehicles (EVs) have already
taken the auto industry by storm. By proclaiming to be a greener
alternative to gas-fueled vehicles, EVs are viewed as the future of
cars. One of the most effective features of EVs is
the lithium-ion car battery. Essentially, you can charge your car
rather than pump gas, so that you can get your car running again. However, with this innovative technology
comes consequences when misused. Although many EV manufacturers warn
their customers about overcharging, undercharging, and overheating
the car battery, many consumers ignore the warnings. At the same
time, there’s no need to monitor your battery 24/7. Instead, have a
plan to ensure that you’re giving your EV battery the best care
possible.
In this article,
we’ll explore 6 of the most common mistakes in managing EV
batteries. You’ll be surprised to see what kinds of mistakes that EV
owners would make on a regular basis. So, by reading this article,
you’ll be more prepared in ensuring the life of your EV battery.
1.
Not Using EV
For Too Long
“Allowing your
EV to be immobilized for a long period of time can be detrimental to
the life of the battery,” says Wendy Carmichael, a business writer
at
Ukwritings
and
Boomessays.
“If you were to not use the EV for a long while, then your best bet,
according to Groupe Renault, is to
charge the EV
battery
to no more than 50% before immobilizing the car.”
2.
Overcharging
Now, the last
thing you want is to overcharge the EV battery. If you leave your
battery set at 100% all the time, you’ll risk overheating it.
According to Autotrader,
the recommended
charge
is between 30% and 80% capacity. Otherwise, leaving the battery at a
full charge can shorten its lifespan.
3.
Waiting Until
EV Battery Reaches 0% Plus, it’s never okay to let your battery
stay below 30% of its charge. Plus, letting your battery get to 0%
can be detrimental to its lifespan, because that would be considered
degradation. Instead, the battery works best with a partial charge. That’s why it’s important to plan your
charges. Never let it reach 0%, or else you’ll risk forcing a full
charge to wear down the battery.
4.
Parking EV
Outside While this mistake might not seem like a
major one, it is. If you leave your EV outside in the sun, the
car will heat up, making the battery heat up as well. By then, you
would have to wait until the car temperature drops before using it,
or else you’ll risk having your battery overheat. So, if you have a
garage, then park your EV there. Plus, while you’re out and about,
make sure to park your EV in a parking garage, or in a sheltered
environment or shade. Now, in cold weather, you still need to take
precautions, because the winter cold can cause premature battery
deterioration, making the battery cells stop working at their
optimum level.
5.
Driving Your EV
Like A Sports Car
“Like a regular
car battery, the EV battery is designed to last for a certain number
of charges,” says Emily Wise, a marketing manager at
Student writing
services
and
Academized
review.
“Keep in mind that
an EV
lithium-ion battery
lasts for around 200,000 miles, which is equivalent to 17 years, if
you drive your EV about 12,000 miles per year. So, if you’re driving
your EV like a sports car, then chances are, you’ll be charging your
car more frequently, thus shortening the battery’s lifespan.”
6.
Ignoring The
On-Board Computer Finally, your EV will come with an
interactive on-board computer. Never ignore the on-board computer.
This built-in computer is your go-to source for checking the status
of your EV, including how your battery is faring. Plus, the on-board
computer comes with fail-safes and built-in precautions; so, be sure
not to ignore those either. In short, know your technology and trust
it.
Conclusion So, now that you know the mistakes to avoid
when it comes to your EV’s battery, you can take extra steps in
ensuring a long lifespan. While there’s no perfect way of preserving
your battery’s life, you can still take the necessary precautions
and steps to ensure that you’re not overcharging or underusing it. Once you get to avoiding the 6 mistakes that
we’ve addressed today, you’ll be on your way to enjoying your EV for
as long as possible! Happy and safe driving! |