To enjoy your electric car for the long term, it is important to take care of its battery. Indeed, this masterpiece requires some precautions. To maintain your capacity for autonomy, here are five best practices you should know.
1. Encourage small refills
La electric car battery has a limited number of charge cycles before it starts to lose its capabilities. For a lithium ion battery, it is between 1,000 and 1,500 cycles (one cycle is equivalent to one full charge and discharge). This average varies according to the technology used, the size of the battery or the conditions of use.
This is why long charges tend to fatigue the battery. If you make short trips on a daily basis, opt for small refills (between 15% and 50%) which contribute to extending its lifespan.
Did you know that?
The size of a battery affects its lifespan. A large battery can handle a greater number of charge cycles and is generally more heat resistant. Over a distance of 500 kilometers, for example, a 40 kWh battery will require two recharges while an 80 kWh battery will require only one.
2. Do not overheat your battery
A battery that is regularly subjected to excess heat can degrade prematurely. That is why it is recommended to:
- Wait before and after charging
During overly nervous driving or long trips, the battery rises in temperature. To avoid damaging it, wait for it to cool before recharging or driving again. Likewise, give it time to warm up after long hours in the cold. Unless a thermal regulation system is integrated (such as Teslas), charging too abruptly could damage its durability. - Do not park your vehicle in direct sunlight
To prevent your battery from losing capacity, park your car in the shade in a garage or underground car park.
3. Use your vehicle daily
To function properly, the battery must be used regularly, even if it's just short trips. In the event of forced immobilization for several weeks, manufacturers recommend keeping the battery at a charge level of between 50 and 80%. Empty and unused, it may wear out. This is explained by the premature aging of cells.
4. Adopt a smooth ride
To prevent your battery from discharging too quickly, limit sudden and repeated acceleration and braking. Sporty driving can heat up the battery and reduce its range in the long term. If possible, choose the “eco” driving mode of your car.
5. Limit the fast charge mode
Public charging stations and The superchargers offer a fast charging mode (DC), or even ultra-fast. If it remains practical over long distances or for an emergency, its repeated use can lead to early deterioration of the battery. It releases a lot of heat and should be used occasionally.
The best solution? Recharge your car on a wallbox like Qovoltis. This intelligent solution for individuals, condominiums and professionals offers two charging methods:
optimized: it is automatically controlled by the terminal to recharge your car at a lower cost;
fast: to charge your vehicle as quickly as possible and at the highest power available on the electrical infrastructure.
You will have a secure, intelligent and efficient means of recharging to drive safely on a daily basis.
Also to read: Should you choose a fast charging station for your electric car?
Sources: Caroom, LoadMapBlog, Motortrend.
