The article Electric car in the summer heat: 5 tips to protect your battery first appeared in the online magazine BASIC thinking. With our newsletter UPDATE you can start the day well informed every morning.
Summer temperatures beyond 30 degrees are not only stressful for people, electric car batteries also suffer from the heat. According to a study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, high heat noticeably accelerates the aging of lithium-ion batteries. If you follow a few simple rules when charging, parking and driving, you can significantly extend the life of your battery. These five measures help immediately.
Extreme temperatures have been considered one of the biggest challenges for batteries in electric cars for years. While the range and charging performance in particular decrease when it’s cold in winter, particularly high temperatures can also have a negative effect on the batteries.
Strong heat puts a strain on the sensitive cell structures and can accelerate the aging of the battery in the long term. However, with a few simple measures you can protect the battery and have a positive effect on the lifespan of the battery.
Why you shouldn’t charge your electric car to 100 percent in summer
High temperatures often cannot be avoided in summer, but some typical stresses on the electric car battery can. Similar to smartphones, it is also recommended for electric cars Do not constantly charge the battery to 100 percent.
Just like with cell phones, lithium-ion batteries age faster if they are regularly fully charged and exposed to high temperatures at the same time. In everyday life, it is often better to only charge the battery to around 80 percent.
If a long journey is planned and the electric car is used immediately after charging, the battery can of course still be charged to 100 percent. It becomes particularly problematic when an electric vehicle with a fully charged battery is exposed to high heat.
Because then the car and battery heat up excessively. This in turn puts a strain on the battery cells and significantly increases the aging of the battery. As a result, capacity and service life can suffer greatly.
Park your electric car in the shade instead of in the sun: This keeps the battery cool
If the electric car has to stand still for a long period of time, it should be checked after a shady spots or an underground car park be kept on the lookout. This can prevent the car and battery from overheating.
The battery ages more quickly, especially with a high charge level and strong heat, which can be avoided in this way. In addition, the battery cooling system uses less energy after starting to cool the battery cells back to an appropriate temperature.
Fast charging in the heat: why it harms your battery
One National Renewable Energy Laboratory study shows that temperature plays a central role when charging lithium-ion batteries. It can affect both charging speed and the risk of accelerated aging.
Experts therefore recommend to avoid frequent fast charging – especially at very high temperatures. For long vacation trips in the summer, it is advisable to plan more time.
This is especially necessary because the battery management reduces the performance during fast charging if it gets too hot. To prevent overheating, charging often takes longer.
Drive evenly, charge the battery longer: the right electric car driving style in summer
Those too Driving style can have an influence on the load on the battery in summer. Anyone who frequently accelerates sharply or maintains high speeds places additional demands on the energy storage system. At the same time, more heat is created in the system.
It is gentler to drive consistently and proactively and avoid unnecessary load peaks. It can also help, already to use the air conditioning when chargingto pre-cool the interior.
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The post Electric car in the summer heat: 5 tips to protect your battery appeared first on BASIC thinking. Follow us too Google News and Flipboard or subscribe to our newsletter UPDATE.
As a Tech Industry expert, I would emphasize the importance of protecting the battery of electric cars during the summer heat to ensure optimal performance and longevity. Here are five tips to help drivers maintain their electric car’s battery in hot weather:
1. Avoid parking in direct sunlight for extended periods: Excessive heat can cause the battery to degrade faster, so it’s important to park in shaded areas or use a car cover to protect the vehicle from the sun’s rays.
2. Charge the battery during cooler times of the day: Charging the battery during the early morning or late evening when temperatures are lower can help prevent overheating and improve charging efficiency.
3. Keep the battery cool: Some electric cars are equipped with battery cooling systems, but if not, drivers can use techniques such as pre-cooling the car before charging or driving, or using a thermal management system to regulate battery temperature.
4. Monitor battery health regularly: Keeping track of the battery’s state of health and performance can help identify any issues early on and prevent potential damage caused by overheating.
5. Limit fast charging in extreme heat: While fast charging is convenient, it can generate heat and put additional stress on the battery, so it’s best to avoid frequent fast charging in hot weather conditions.
By following these tips, electric car owners can ensure their vehicle’s battery remains in top condition and continues to perform at its best in the summer heat.
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