Top Tips for Extending Your Electric Car's Battery Life
In this article, we share our top tips for preserving the life span of your electric car’s battery.
- Electric vehicles (EVs) use lithium-ion batteries to generate electricity. This is used to power the electric motor which drives the wheels.
- These batteries will need regular recharging, and over time the battery capacity will change with regular use.
- Find out our top tips for getting the most out of your electric battery, so you can enjoy your EV for longer.
If you read our article on the UK’s longest-range electric cars, you’ll know that electric vehicle technology continues to advance.
Electric cars are becoming even more efficient when it comes to range, slowly closing the gap between EVs and non-electric cars. This is thanks to improved battery technology, with more power generating a longer driving range.
But how do you make sure your electric battery remains efficient and delivers a long lifespan?
Read our top tips for preserving your battery life as an EV owner.
1. Avoid letting the battery run flat
You might have heard with smartphones that sometimes letting the battery run flat can be beneficial. The same is not true however with electric vehicles.
Letting your battery run out of charge is actually bad for the system and should be avoided if you want to preserve its lifespan.
You also won’t want to risk getting stranded if you run out of charge, which is another reason to keep the battery topped up. Unlike petrol or diesel cars, you won’t be able to jumpstart an EV with more energy and be on your way.
As a rough guide, you should avoid letting your charge level dip below 20%. This will ensure you have enough range to drive to your nearest charging point and avoid a breakdown.
2. Avoid overcharging the battery
As well as making sure you don’t undercharge your battery, you should also avoid overcharging it.
Contrary to popular belief, it’s not always best to drive around with a fully charged battery. Letting the charge level slowly deplete (but not fully) is part of a healthy battery lifespan and allows a longer service life.
Each time you recharge, the capacity of the battery reduces ever so slightly, so giving it a constant full recharge will speed up this process. Instead, aim to keep your battery level between 20-80% with regular top-ups to ensure it doesn’t become too low.
Rapid charging points are a great solution for a quick boost on the go, though these should not be used too often as we’ll come onto next.
3. Use rapid charging sparingly
As mentioned in the last tip, rapid charging points are handy for a quick charge on the go. Though this method of charging shouldn’t be relied on too frequently, as it can negatively affect your battery.
This is because the higher voltage used in DC charging can put a strain on your battery, especially when used in shorter bursts.
Using rapid charging from time to time is fine when out and about, though slower home charging is better long-term.
4. Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures
Extreme heat and cold can affect many objects, including the battery in electric vehicles. In extreme temperatures, the battery’s thermal management system will have to work harder to keep it at an optimum temperature.
This can cause the battery level to drain as a result, though there are some things you can do to help. On hot days, park your EV in the shade where you can, to prevent the battery from becoming too warm.
In the winter, try parking your EV in a garage or other enclosed area if this is possible, to protect the battery against freezing.
5. Practice good driving habits
In the same way that driving smoothly reduces fuel consumption, accelerating gently will help save your battery.
Instead of pressing down hard on the accelerator, try adding gentle pressure to the pedal and save energy. Electric vehicles are known for their smooth acceleration when pulling away, so you shouldn’t need to put much effort in!
Slow and steady driving helps preserve your lifespan over time, as the faster you drive, the faster your battery will deplete.
6. Leave the battery to cool before recharging
After a long journey in your EV, it’s a good idea to let the battery cool before recharging.
This enables the battery to return to its normal operating temperature, giving you a more efficient charge.
Browse electric cars at Vertu Motors
We hope you found this article useful and feel ready to give your EV battery the best care. Still on the search for an electric vehicle?
At Vertu Motors, we offer a wide selection of electric vehicles from leading manufacturers. From stylish hatchbacks to sleek estates and more. Discover EVs from Audi, BMW, Honda, Jaguar, Kia, MINI, smart, Toyota, and Volkswagen.
If you’re new to electric vehicles or need some support, book an appointment at your local Vertu Motors dealership. Our knowledgeable sales team will be happy to answer all your questions and help arrange test drives to find your perfect model.
For more information on electric cars head to our Electric Vehicle Hub, or browse our latest deals below.
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