Electric vehicles are the latest in auto engineering that allows you to both save money on gas and be kind to the environment. There are some things to considering, however, when making sure you’re obtaining the max EV battery life.
More often than not, electric car owners complain that they aren’t getting the most out of their investment due to not properly taking care of their vehicle battery or charging it as efficiently as possible. Poor charging practices can lead to having to charge your electric car more often or decreasing your car battery lifetime.
7 Tips to Get the Max EV Battery Life
To avoid issues like reducing your car battery lifetime or needing to charge your electric vehicle more often than necessary, take a look at these tips to get the most out of your electric car’s battery.
1. Slow and Steady
Driving at a slower speed will help conserve the energy of your car’s battery. If your daily commute allows, always opt for a slower alternative, such as avoiding the highway and taking neighbourhood roads.
2. Keep an Eye Out for How You Charge
Believe it or not, charging your electric vehicle to the max is terrible for its lifespan. Usually, there are options on your EV to charge your battery at “Standard” or “Max”. Unless you are charging your car for a short period, the best thing you can do for your battery is to charge it at “Standard” overnight or for a few hours. You never want your battery to sit at 100% for an extended time.
3. Plan Ahead for Vacations
If you’re travelling and leaving your electric car in a garage to drive home when you come back, be sure to plan so that your car charges enough to get you home. If you aren’t using your car to get home, either leave your car unplugged or have your battery setting not to charge your electric vehicle past 50%. Then when you get home, you can charge it again.
4. Find a Shaded Area
If you go shopping, are at work, or even spending a couple of hours getting drinks, always try and park your car in a shaded area. Parking your car in a shaded area will both help keep your car nice and cool for when you get back as well as help avoid overheating to maintain the lifespan of the software and battery under the hood.
5. Monitor the Battery Life When in the Heat
Similar to the above, most technology doesn’t thrive in the heat. If you are driving around in the summertime or live in a hot area, keep an extra eye out for your battery life. You may need to charge your electric vehicle more often than you’re used to as the EV will drain more in hotter environments.
6. Plan Your Travel
Planning is one of the most important tips for both maintaining max EV battery life and ensuring you are travelling safely. Before travelling a long distance, make sure you know where all possible charging stations are. You don’t want to get caught stranded because you ran out of battery life before you had the chance to get to a charging station.
7. Avoid Quick Charging When Possible
Quick charge is a nice and convenient way to charge your EV quickly when you are in a bind, but that should not be your go-to charging method. Each time you use the quick charge option on your EV takes extra life out of your battery. Using the quick charge takes an additional 10% out of the life of your battery compared to charging your EV normally. Whenever possible, charge your EV using the “Standard” option.
8. Don’t Let Your Battery Run Out Before Charging Again
Some may think that letting your battery run out before charging it again is a good idea. Allowing your batteries to go flat is not a good idea when it comes to EV Batteries. Letting your battery discharge before charging it again can decrease its lifespan even more than charging it earlier. Keep an eye out for your EV battery percentage and try not to let it run past 30% before charging it again.
9. Schedule Your Charging Times
Charging your EV overnight is the best time to charge your car and is the most convenient. It isn’t ideal, however, to let your electric vehicle charge overnight. You EV tends to work best at around a 50% charge. If you can plan your commute at a 50% charge, then do so. If not, see if your battery allows you to time your charge sessions to have the charge stop at least two hours before you use your car in the morning. Doing this will help avoid using your car when it’s still hot from the charge.
10. Examine Your Terrain Options
If you have a hybrid vehicle that allows you to decide when you want to use the battery and when you want to use your gas, see what type of terrain options. Most of the time, you have to switch the type of drive you are using manually. If you live in a hilly area or are driving to a hillside or mountainous area, switch your hybrid to gas and change your drive to “Mountain Mode” to avoid draining your battery or have your car working harder than it needs to.
Considering Purchasing an Electric Car?
Ensuring you are getting the most out of your EV is a top priority when owning an electric vehicle. You’ve invested, and you want to get the most out of it. Consider these tips when maintaining the lifespan of your electric vehicle and battery. Keep these tips in mind as well if you are new to electric vehicles and are considering purchasing one of your own.
Choosing an electric car is an exciting time and when taken care of properly is a fantastic investment. Whether you want an electric vehicle to drive around your neighbourhood, are looking a golf cart to cruise around your local golf course without renting, or are looking for a nice hybrid to use daily and on longer trips, consider All-Electric Vehicles for the largest selection of electric cars and experts in maintaining your max EV life.
