Electric vehicles aren’t cheap. When you buy one, you’ll want its battery to last as long as possible and retain as much range as possible. You may worry about whether you can overcharge their EV, damaging it in the process. Here’s everything you need to know about EV battery management to set your mind at ease.
EV Overcharging Protection
Fortunately, EV chargers and EVs themselves remain in constant communication while charging. Both have safety features that prevent overcharging your EV’s battery. Many vehicles even have a user-controlled maximum charge setting. You can set it as low as you want to give yourself peace of mind.
EV Charging Best Practices
While there’s no way to overcharge your EV, certain charging habits can affect your vehicle’s battery. For example, manufacturers caution owners against charging their vehicles to 100% often. You should reserve full charges for the rare occasions when you need maximum range. The rest of the time, charge your EV to approximately 80% of its capacity. And whenever possible, try to prevent the charge from falling below 10%. Both habits will reduce the overall wear on your battery.
Where to Charge Your EV
You need to know that where you choose to charge your EV matters, too. Avoid public Level 3 fast chargers if possible. They achieve their charge speeds by connecting a high-voltage DC power supply directly to your car’s battery. As they do this, the battery’s resistance causes it to heat up. That extra heat can shorten your battery’s lifespan if you fast-charge often enough.
Ordinary Level 2 public and home EV chargers don’t have the same effects. They charge your battery more slowly and avoid heating. The only time extra heat can be an issue with those is when you exceed an 80% charge. Past that point, internal resistance in the battery rises. That’s also why the last 20% of your EV’s charge cycle takes much longer than you expect.
Choose Parking Locations Carefully
Your EV’s operating environment also affects battery longevity. EV batteries perform best in temperate climates. While you don’t have to worry much about subfreezing temperatures here, extreme heat is an issue. To protect your EV’s battery, park your vehicle in a shaded spot whenever possible. When the mercury climbs to triple digits, your EV’s battery will be right at the top of its preferred temperature range. In direct sun, your vehicle’s temperature will be far higher than that.
With the right care and forethought, you can maximize your EV battery’s lifespan. And you never need to worry about overcharging, because charger and EV designers build safeguards into both. If you have concerns or require EV charger services, contact Bumble Bee Home Services in Glendale, AZ.
