How to properly maintain electric vehicle batteries

Electric vehicles are now popular and are becoming a growing trend globally. Electric vehicles are more environmentally friendly thanks to their near-zero emissions, low maintenance costs due to fewer moving parts, and significantly cheaper operating costs than traditional gasoline vehicles.

Just like the batteries in your phone or laptop, electric vehicle batteries need proper care to maintain optimal performance. The condition of the battery directly affects the range, performance, and safety of the vehicle. Proper battery maintenance not only extends the life of the battery and reduces the risk of unexpected breakdowns, but also keeps performance close to factory condition.

Small habits like avoiding 100% charging, limiting fast charging, not accelerating suddenly and protecting the car from extreme temperatures can slow down the aging process of the battery, helping you save significant costs in the long run.

Charging the battery properly: The key to extending the life of electric vehicle batteries

It may seem counterintuitive, but charging an electric vehicle battery to 100% is not a good idea. The ideal charge level is between 20% and 80%, which is the “safe zone” that reduces stress on lithium-ion cells and reduces capacity degradation over time.

Likewise, letting the battery completely drain (below 20%) is also something to avoid. Repeated “deep discharges” will cause more intense chemical reactions inside the battery, reducing its ability to hold a charge and shortening its lifespan in the long run.

In the hustle and bustle of life, from taking the kids to work to running errands, monitoring the battery status of electric vehicles is sometimes forgotten. This is when fast charging becomes a "savior". However, despite its convenience, fast charging technology using direct current (DC) can generate high heat and put great pressure on the battery. If abused regularly, it can accelerate the aging process of the battery.

Instead, consider investing in an AC charger that is suitable for overnight home charging. While it may take a few hours to fully charge, this is a more battery-friendly option that will help extend the life of your battery and ensure safety.

Most electric vehicle manufacturers now offer fairly long battery warranties. However, to qualify for the warranty, the vehicle must be properly maintained and charged according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Therefore, understanding and correctly applying the principles of battery charging not only helps you feel secure when using electric vehicles every day, but is also an important step to protect battery life, optimize operating performance and ensure warranty benefits from the manufacturer.

Small habits to help extend electric vehicle battery life

Caring for an electric vehicle battery is not just about charging it properly, it is a comprehensive process that starts with daily usage habits.

One of the biggest factors that can impact battery performance is ambient temperature. Both extreme cold and extreme heat can alter the chemical reactions inside a lithium-ion battery, reducing range by up to 46%.

So, on cold days, prepare your car in advance by charging the battery more fully, warming up the car before driving and parking in a sheltered place. Conversely, in hot weather, park in a shady place or a covered parking lot to minimize the negative effects of high temperatures.

According to research, electric vehicle batteries operate optimally at temperatures of around 32°C, but when they exceed 38°C, their operating range can drop by 17% to 18%. If this condition persists, the battery will not only lose performance but also significantly reduce its lifespan.

In addition, the way you drive your car also affects the health of your battery. Frequent sudden accelerations and hard braking subject the battery to strong discharges, similar to instantaneous high currents that can generate excess heat and reduce the durability of the system. To protect your battery, practice smooth acceleration and braking, especially when driving in urban areas.

Another common mistake many electric vehicle owners make is to “store” their vehicles because of range concerns. Not using the vehicle often enough or leaving it idle for long periods of time can lead to self-discharge, which can affect the condition and lifespan of the battery.

In case you need to park for a long time, you should activate battery storage mode, regularly check the battery level and maintain it at a reasonable level (usually 50–70%).

Finally, don't overlook over-the-air software updates. These often include power management improvements that optimize battery performance over time and under real-world usage conditions.

With just a few simple changes in your daily usage habits, you can not only extend battery life but also maintain optimal performance for your electric vehicle./.

Source: https://baonghean.vn/cach-bao-duong-pin-xe-dien-dung-cach-10303410.html