5 ways to maintain your EV battery's longevity

Batteries don’t enjoy being empty, and you should never drive your EV beyond the 20% mark. Keeping it between 20% and 80% charged is best to ensure the electrons have enough space in the battery — the closer it gets to 100% charged, the more difficult it will be for the electrons.

The Level 1 charger that typically comes with an EV offers a slow charge. These chargers are compatible with a 120-volt plug, so they’re ideal for homeowners. A Level 2 charging station increases the charge rate but still usually meets general recommendations. Though they may be tempting, avoid using Level 3 chargers, also known as fast chargers, unless absolutely necessary. Experts have found that fast charging can cause battery degradation, though research is still ongoing.

Extreme temperatures affect battery performance and charging ability. Extreme cold can reduce range by 10% to 20% and affect charging rates, while what’s typically a 15-minute charge can end up taking hours. In cold weather, use a battery heater before driving. It’s also best to keep your EV and charging station indoors or under cover to avoid overheating in summer and freezing in winter. Many manufacturers use a cooling system to keep the power pack temperature low in summer. When it’s cold, leaving your electric vehicle charging overnight ensures the pack doesn’t drain and lets the vehicle heat up using DC power without affecting the battery life.

Newer EVs have a battery management system — a dedicated computer that controls every aspect of your pack, such as temperature, charge rate, discharge and emergency levels. Thanks to the Internet of Things (IoT), updates to this controlling mechanism ensure your vehicle functions optimally. These updates maintain the system and provide feedback to the manufacturer, helping to detect and repair flaws.