Electric Vehicle Battery Life
Electric Vehicle Battery Life
Battery electric vehicles are uncomplicated and reliable. They generally have fewer parts to service and are generally less expensive to maintain.
Battery Basics
Most modern electric cars use a lithium-ion battery pack to store energy. Other battery types such as solid-state batteries are also being developed for more mainstream use.
Lithium-ion batteries have a higher energy density than conventional lead-acid batteries (batteries that power most modern cars). Nickel-metal hydride batteries are currently used in many hybrid cars.
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Battery Life Expectancy
The simplest way to determine the life expectancy for your hybrid or electric vehicle is to refer to the manufacturer’s warranty. Generally, your battery’s limited warranty provides insight into what the manufacturer views as the typical pack’s minimum life expectancy.
Every time a lithium-ion is charged, it loses a fraction of its total capacity. As time goes on, it impacts the overall driving range. Modern EV battery packs should prove problem-free for nearly the first decade of use—possibly even longer.
Battery Warranty
All EVs sold today include a battery warranty of at least eight years and 100,000 miles. It not only covers against failure of the battery pack, it also serves as a guarantee against degradation.
Many manufactures estimate their batteries to maintain 70% of capacity throughout the warranty window.
Battery Charging Cycles
Most drivers do not drive their car until it’s completely out of fuel. The same applies to EVs.
Owners may drive their vehicle to a very low state of charge, but most will likely avoid completely draining the battery pack.
How Charging Affects EV Battery Lifespan
Fast chargers, as you would find at the grocery store in Brooksville or Tampa, are incredibly convenient and quick but they do tend to degrade lithium-ion batteries at a quicker rate than lesser charging options like home charging. If you’re hoping to get the most service life from your EVs battery pack, then avoid unnecessary fast charging on a regular basis. It is also wise to avoid charging an EV’s battery to full capacity or letting it discharge entirely.
Battery Thermal Management Systems
An active thermal management system is key to keeping an electric car’s lithium-ion battery pack at peak performance. Lithium-ion batteries have an optimum operating range of between 50–86 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoiding dramatic high or low temperatures will help conserve battery life.
Likewise, driving in extreme temperatures can also impact range. Most automakers have developed software that manages battery health and temperature, including cooling and heating systems.