Key things to know about EV batteries

by Carlo Padilla (Content Writer)

Consumers in the market for an electric car are likely going to be curious about their target model's battery specifications. They want to know its range capacity, how long it takes to fully charge and how many charging cycles it can handle before it needs to be replaced. After all, range anxiety and charging times are two of the biggest considerations drivers have in going electric, and these can both be attributed in large part to an EV's battery. With this in mind, here are a few essential lesser-known things about EV batteries to help you keep your customers better informed in their decision to buy the greener alternative.

Photo by Alex Luciano from Pexels

Lifespan

While it's true that electric vehicle batteries lose their capacities over time, this is hardly something new drivers need to be anxious about. According to electric vehicle company EVBox, most EV batteries will last somewhere between 10 and 20 years before they need to be replaced. To make sure batteries last for this long, most models have a built-in buffer that limits their charging states to around 80 to 90 percent - as the tech suggests it's better for the battery's life span to keep it charged under its full capacity. When kept in storage for a long time, however, manufacturers suggest keeping battery levels at around 50 percent to slow down degradation.

Temperature

Driving in hot weather conditions can decrease the expected range of an EV on a full charge, and can also negatively affect a battery's lifespan in the long run. For this reason, many EV companies prefer liquid cooling systems in batteries over air cooling. A cold environment, on the other hand, may cause the battery to take longer than usual to charge and degrade faster in storage. In more advanced models, a mechanism is built in to keep the battery at optimal temperature in all weather conditions.

Warranty

When it comes to the point that the battery finally needs to be replaced, it is sound advice to check the battery warranty, which varies by region. According to battery company Midtronics, in the US manufacturers are required by federal regulations to cover a warranty period of eight years or 100,000 miles.