It’s important to take care of your EV battery, especially when it is being charged. When properly looked after, EV batteries can last from 10 – 20 years!
Here’s a few helpful tips to ensure you’re getting the most out of your EV car battery.
Time your charge
The best time to charge your EV battery is at night, and it is best to time your charge. This is because a battery that is left on charge for too long will start to degrade. Timing your charge is fairly easy if you use a charger that times your session. Brands such as Ohme, Andersen, Wallbox, and Project EV all sell chargers that allow for timed sessions.
20% – 80% charge
Contrary to belief, it is perfectly fine to do most car trips with a battery that isn’t fully charged; the only time when you should have a fully charged battery is before a lengthy car journey. On average, a car battery should be between 20% – 80% to ensure it stays healthy. Your car should be charged again once it dips below 20% because much like it being charged too often or for too long, a dangerously low battery is also not healthy in the long run.
Try not to use fast chargers
If you’re out and about or on a road trip, fast chargers are fantastic for minimising the charging time of your EV to allow you to get back on the road. However, if used often it will start to degrade the battery over time as it is working the battery much harder than a normal EV charger. They’re great for on the go, but don’t get too reliant.
Avoid exposure to high temperatures
If possible, try and charge your EV battery in the shade or on a cloudier/ colder day. This is because overexposure to the sun while on charge is damaging to your EV battery over time. If the battery overheats, it cannot store energy efficiently which can cause an unhealthy EV battery.
Keep it simple
Try not to go overboard on the accessories, especially heavy roof racks or cargo carriers. Carrying these aroundsonstantly, as well as any heavier items, will put a bigger strain on your battery over time and therefore require more frequent charging. Your EV has been carefully designed – show it off as it is!