Via Oregon - September/October 2021 - 14

SMART LIFE
AUTO
How to
extend the
life of electric
vehicle
batteries
Protect your EV's range and
battery health with these tips.
Electric vehicles are powered by
expensive lithium-ion batteries-
essentially souped-up versions of
the batteries inside our phones and
computers. When properly cared
for, EV batteries are expected to
last at least 10 years or 150,000
miles without any significant
reduction in range.
Over time, lithium-ion batteries
slowly lose their ability to hold a
charge. However, some habits and
circumstances can speed up this
decrease in capacity. Once the battery
falls below 80 percent of its
original charge capacity, you may
start to notice a change in the range
and performance of the battery.
Here's what you can do to maintain
your EV's range and decrease
wear on the battery.
Opt for slow charging
when possible.
Avoiding the regular use of level 3
DC fast chargers-powerful public
chargers that can fully replenish the
battery in an hour or less-is best
for your battery health, says AAA
automotive engineer Matthew Lum,
who recommends charging your
car at home as often as you can.
Typically, the faster the charge, the
more stress there is on the battery.
According to Kia Motors, eight years
of standard charging will give you
10 percent more battery life than if
you had only used fast charging
during those years.
However, the occasional use of a
level 3 fast charger, such as a Tesla
Supercharger, will not cause a significant
impact. " Owners of EVs should
not let concerns over fast-charger
use deter them from taking their EVs
on road trips, " Lum says.
14 VIA | SEPTEMBER+OCTOBER 2021
Read the manual.
Each manufacturer provides details
on how best to care for the car and
its batteries. For example, some
manufacturers, like Tesla, recommend
that your vehicle be plugged
in, but not necessarily charging,
whenever you are not using it, while
others, like Nissan, advise only plugging
in your EV if you need to charge
it. Check your vehicle owner's manual
for specific guidance on how to
best maintain and use your model.
Pay attention to
temperature.
EV batteries need to maintain a
moderate temperature to accept,
hold, or discharge electricity, which
is why they have intelligent thermal
management systems. But when
you're not charging, those systems
rely on your battery power to do
their job. In very hot or very cold
SCHARFSINN86 / ISTOCK
Via Oregon - September/October 2021

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