Purely or partially electric vehicles have already become commonplace on our roads, and their drivers and workshop technicians are increasingly understanding how new technologies work. However, everyone still has a lot of questions about electric cars – both those who already drive them, and those who are still thinking about buying such a car. This is easy to see just by seeing how many like-minded groups interested in electric models have been created on social networks.
One of the biggest concerns for electric car users is battery life. Like cell phones, electric vehicle batteries tend to degrade over time and lose their original properties. However, the specialist reassures that this problem will soon become irrelevant. In the meantime, we can offer some useful tips on how to extend the life of your batteries.
“When developing electric cars, a lot of attention is paid to battery life. The goal of manufacturers is to make a car that does not force users to change their daily habits. This includes battery life. In the latest models, it is paid close attention to this. Therefore, I am sure that in the long term this topic will no longer be as sensitive as it is now,” is convinced Tadas Ratkevičius, a convinced expert on electrified transport and founder of the OEV.LT video channel on electric cars.
Guaranteed 160 thousand. kilometres
According to the expert, some of the causes of battery degradation have already been successfully solved in the most modern electric cars. For this purpose, technical solutions are used and the chemical composition of the batteries themselves is improved. Plus, models sold in Europe come with a solid warranty.
For example, manufacturers such as Peugeot, Volkswagen or Audi apply 8 years or 160,000 years for high-voltage batteries in electric cars. mileage warranty. It is valid even if the utility of the main battery drops to 70%. its initial capabilities. Peugeot also undertakes to replace defective batteries during the warranty period.
However, it would still be worthwhile for electric car owners to consciously keep their vehicles on their own, both because of their higher performance, and a desire to preserve the car’s value in the aftermarket, and also because of the longer life span. battery, since not all of them are characterized by longevity.
According to T.Ratkevičius, statistics show that some manufacturers’ electric car batteries only last 50,000 miles. kilometers can already lose 25 percent. of its capacity, and after 100 thousand – even a third.
“That’s why it would be logical to save the battery and know certain rules”, says the specialist and adds that it would be enough for anyone starting to learn about electric transport to remember three fundamental rules.
Temperature and energy level
The first is that batteries are damaged by extreme changes in temperature. T. Ratkevičius points out that the optimum operating temperature of the battery is around 20 degrees Celsius.
“There is no need to look far for extremes: in Lithuania, an electric car parked outdoors in winter can suffer from 30 degrees of cold, and in summer it can heat up to 50 or 60 degrees in the sun. Therefore, first buying an electric car, you should check if it has battery temperature regulation functions: heating and cooling”, recommends the interviewer.
According to him, for this reason, it is advisable to park electric cars in the shade in summer, while in winter it would be ideal to keep them in the garage or at least in a shelter and thus protect them from the harsh, howling wind.
Interestingly, the optimum temperature of a fast-charging electric car battery differs from the normal operating mode and rises to 35 degrees. Therefore, to use fast charging effectively, electric cars with active battery thermoregulation devices, which are able to raise the battery temperature early during the journey, just before approaching the charging station, have an advantage.
20-80 percent the rule
The second rule concerns the charge itself. It is recommended to avoid complete charge and discharge cycles.
“An interesting fact for electric vehicle beginners: We often see two values for the battery capacity, gross and net (or useful). Sometimes they differ by up to 10%. Volume. This is because the manufacturers themselves leave a certain reserve: they do not they allow you to charge the battery to 100% and do not allow you to discharge it to 0. Although the car stops and stops moving, in reality there is still a certain amount left in the battery, and at the upper limit a buffer is also formed energy,” explains T. Ratkevičius.
This is done so that the factory options protect the battery from unwanted user actions – full charge or discharge. At the time, user statistics show that the battery is most useful when the charge level is kept between 20 and 80 percent.
“This is especially important to know when you don’t use an electric car for a long time, so as not to leave it standing with a fully charged or empty battery, as this is not healthy for it,” adds the expert.
Some manufacturers also choose to use software to limit the charging of electric cars, so that when connected to the grid, the battery is only charged up to 80% and 100%. the charge level could be set separately when, for example, you have to go on a longer journey.
Drivers of other electric cars can decide for themselves to what level to charge the battery or calculate how long it needs to be charged to reach the appropriate level. For example, one of the most affordable Peugeot e-208 electric cars in Lithuania has a net battery capacity of 45 kWh (total – 50 kWh), so it is recommended to charge it up to 36 kWh.
If the battery is plugged into a standard household socket at night, its energy reserves can be recharged by 18 to 23 kWh within 10 hours and with the wall charger by 9 to 36 kWh or 20 to 80 percent. you will increase the battery charge level in less than 4 hours.
Better slowly
The third rule, according to T. Ratkevičius, is a bit controversial, because different opinions can be heard on the market. However, most experts agree that fast charging shortens battery life. Therefore, it is recommended that you choose a slower alternating current (AC) charge for daily use.
“For example, wall chargers of up to 7 or 11 kW are often used in homes, offices or other places. Very often, electric car owners install exactly such chargers at home, because the energy they charge overnight is enough to drive around town for at least a few days,” explains the specialist.
Direct current (DC) fast chargers are the ideal choice when you really need to recharge your battery quickly, before or during longer journeys. More and more electric cars are suitable for fast charging in both ways. Here, the aforementioned Peugeot e-208 or its SUV version e-2008 can be charged with a power of 100 kW, which allows you to replenish battery reserves to the aforementioned “healthy” 80 percent in just half an hour.
