With modern Electric Vehicles (EVs), you don’t need to give too much thought to your battery. Manufacturers have built-in precautions so you can’t overcharge, over-discharge, or overheat: the three biggest killers of battery longevity. But while you don’t need to babysit your battery, you do need to respect it. EV batteries, like engines in conventional gas-powered vehicles, are designed for a long life but will eventually wear out.
Read along with the experts at Kia Victoria as they share the seven biggest mistakes EV owners make and how proper management could help your battery last decades.
For more information on maintaining your EV, visit Kia.ca.
Disclaimer: These general tips don’t replace manufacturer information. Refer to your vehicle’s manual, and follow all manufacturer advice and guidelines.
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1. Overcharging
Never let your EV battery sit at 100% charge. Generally speaking, lithium-ion batteries do best when they operate in the 20%-80% charge range. Although it may take some extra planning, prolonging the time spent within that middle range may extend the life of your battery.
Continuously charging to full capacity is stressful on your battery. This is why most manufacturers offer “standard” or “normal” charge levels, which do not charge the battery up to the highest level, instead keeping them at 80%.
With that being said, do a full charge when need be, but do it right before the start of a trip. Leaving a battery charged at full capacity for even relatively short periods can possibly affect longevity.
2. Draining the Battery
Conversely, leaving your battery in a low-level charge state (below 20%) for an extended period may also impact its life.
Lithium-ion batteries prefer a partial cycle rather than a deep discharge or drain. Most manufacturers protect batteries from becoming completely discharged — a state that can render the battery permanently unusable depending on the level of degradation. Since lithium-ion batteries do not have a memory effect, there is no harm in using your vehicle and charger often. Not only will this avoid excessive battery wear, but it will also mean that, with a little planning, you will arrive at your destination with range to spare for years to come.
One additional advantage of not charging all the way is it leaves room to store energy from regenerative braking, resulting in lower charging costs. When the batteries are full or near full, regenerative braking will be disabled to avoid overcharging.
3. Charging too Often
Another major mistake people make with their EV batteries is charging too often. Generally speaking, don’t charge your battery every day unless need be. EV Battery performance and durability can deteriorate if the charger is used constantly. Charging should be minimized to help prolong high-voltage battery life.
The general rule of thumb is to plug in and charge whenever you can, but not every time you drive. That may mean plugging your car in semi-nightly to maintain a reasonable level of charge depending on your commute. Or, if you are without a home charger, regular charging when you are able.
Keeping the battery at 20%-80% charged and minimizing the number of charges, versus charging to full and/or charging every drive cycle, will keep the battery performance in optimal condition. This becomes a habit for most EV owners, just like the regular trips to the pumps with
4. Not Balancing the Battery
Battery balancing is about maximizing your battery’s capacity by ensuring all cells within a battery pack have a consistent state of charge.
Battery packs in EVs often consist of multiple individual batteries — as many as 7000 individual cells — packed together into removable modules. Modern EV batteries include an automatic battery balancing component, but for older models, there are steps you can take to help the process along.
While you may never take long trips that need the absolute maximum range, a periodic maximum charge is helpful to your battery’s management system. A quarterly maximum charge may be beneficial to the lifespan of your EV battery. But remember, don’t let your vehicle sit after it’s fully charged (refer back to the first tip).
5. Overusing DC Quick Charge
DC quick charging is very useful. You can go for a charge if you need to drive more than the vehicle’s single-charge range in a day, or if you just simply forgot to charge up last night. For reference, DC quick chargers can dump upwards of 130km of range into the Kia Soul in 30 minutes.
While the tool is extremely helpful, batteries pay a price for this convenience. Battery performance and durability can deteriorate if the DC charger is used constantly and its use should be minimized to help prolong battery life.
Level 2 AC charging is recommended to keep the battery in optimal condition. This is the most efficient home charging option and is common to find at free charging stations.
6. Improper Storage
The capacity of an EV battery may decrease over time when the vehicle is stored long-term in high temperatures. It will also decrease in low temperatures, even if left for a short time. If you aren’t using your EV for an extended period, it’s recommended you charge the battery once every three months to prevent it from fully discharging. If you can, store your EV inside, away from extreme temperatures.
7. Not Using the On-board Computer
EVs employ sophisticated technology with high-tech on-board interactive computers to match. Most have robust menus that contain everything you need to properly manage and maintain the longevity of your battery. This information might include:
- Available range
- Energy information detailing battery and energy consumption
- Information on power consumption
- Battery information including reachable range, battery power remaining, and expected charging time for each charger type
The onboard computer will often be able to give you historical values on how you’ve used your EV and the impact it had on your battery, allowing you to alter your driving to benefit the battery’s longevity.
Get your EV Battery Inspected at Kia Victoria
Driving habits and conditions will affect battery life regardless of how you maintain it. This includes driving aggressively or living in extreme conditions. But you can avoid this by driving reasonably and getting your EV serviced regularly. Contact us for more details about our service options and let the team at Kia Victoria help you keep your battery healthy. Additionally, view our new and used EV inventory.
For more information on maintaining your EV, visit Kia.ca.