EV Battery Charging Best Practices: Extend Your EV's Lifespan

If you’ve decided to invest in an electric vehicle (EV), it’s only natural that you want that investment to last for as long as possible. So, it goes without saying that regular maintenance and upkeep are simply a must, but there are also other things you can do.

For starters, you should do your best to learn more about EV battery charging best practices, since the battery itself makes for a big portion of the overall price of an EV. You should also learn how to charge an electric car in general, so that you can make the most out of those EV charging best practices.

Moreover, you will also need to understand how to find the right charging cable, which types of charging stations work for your specific model and how you can find charging stations easily. 

These are just some of the factors that will contribute to your EV battery’s lifespan which, when combined with the best EV charging practices, will significantly extend your EV’s lifespan.

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EV Battery Charging - Best Practices

Avoid extreme cold

Avoid rapid charging

Avoid fast chargers

Charge regularly

Electric car charging tips

Long storage battery level

Monitor battery health

Only charge fully for long trips

Avoid deep discharging

Charging station etiquette

Find shade

Give your ev a run regularly

Regenerative braking

Consistent driving speed

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Avoid Extreme Cold

Just like with the majority of other types of batteries, EV batteries are sensitive to extreme temperatures. Temperatures that are either too cold or too hot can easily negatively affect your EV’s battery performance and lifespan.

If the battery is too cold, it will require more energy - and, thus, more time - to warm up. Cold temperatures can also increase your EV battery’s internal resistance, thus preventing the battery from delivering power effectively.

On the other hand, if your vehicle gets too hot, the protective layer around your battery can start to break down, thus leading to faster degradation. Additionally, temperatures that are too high can also cause capacity loss due to thermal stress.

Therefore, make sure you don’t leave your vehicle in direct sunlight when it’s too hot outside, and make use of its pre-conditioning features to warm up the battery before charging it when the weather gets too cold. 

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Avoid Rapid Charging

Although rapid charging can be incredibly convenient, it also heats up the battery quite a bit, which can lead to faster degradation. Since rapid charging is based on quickly delivering high charging currents to your battery, the battery can easily experience thermal stress which will lead to capacity loss over time.

This is not to say that you should never rely on rapid charging, but rather try to make it the exception and not the rule.

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Avoid Fast Chargers

As mentioned earlier, fast chargers expose your EV battery to high charging currents, unlike the majority of standard or home chargers. Since standard and home chargers are designed to gradually recharge your battery over time, the heat build-up your battery will be exposed to will be significantly lower.

Again, like with the previous point, this doesn’t mean you should never use fast chargers. But try to reserve their use for longer journeys instead of relying on them on a day-to-day basis.

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Charge Regularly

Contrary to the “regular”, fuel-powered vehicles, electric vehicles don’t actually need to run out of juice before recharging. Instead, you want to make sure you charge your EV regularly to prevent unnecessary battery strains and keep the battery healthy.

Ideally, when charging your EV, you should keep the battery between 20% and 80% because that’s the range within which lithium-ion batteries perform the best. You should still occasionally charge your battery to 100% to help recalibrate the battery management system and maintain the optimal state of charge (SoC).

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Electric Car Charging Tips

Here are some crucial charging tips to follow to make the charging process as safe and efficient as possible:

• Make sure you connect your EV correctly to the charger - Improper connections may prevent your EV from charging in the best case scenario, and cause potential hazards in the worst-case scenario, so you always need to ensure that you connect your EV to the charger the correct way.
• Ensure that you use the charger of the right range and charge rate - By using a charger that’s not suitable for your EV can cause damage to both your vehicle and your battery, so make sure you always connect your EV to the right charger.
• Use smart charging features to schedule charges and boost their efficiency - This way you will prevent overcharging which can shorten your EV battery’s lifespan.
• Plan your charging stops - By planning your charging stops and creating an optimised route, you can ensure you never run out of power and end up stranded. This way, you’ll also make sure you make the most out of your charging time, thus lowering unnecessary downtime.
• Time your charge to avoid overcharging - If you time your charging sessions properly you will prevent overcharging which will make your battery last longer in the long-run.
• Charge your battery during off-peak hours - This way you can make the most out of lower electricity rates, which are usually applicable late at night or in the early morning. 
• Always follow safety guidelines and manufacturer’s recommendations - By understanding and following the guidelines, you’ll avoid making any potentially dangerous or costly mistakes.
• Only use certified charging stations - This way you can ensure that you’re only charging your EV on charging stations that are both safe and reliable.
• Ensure proper ventilation - Make sure your charging area has proper ventilation if you’re planning on installing a home charger to reduce heat generation.

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Long Storage Battery Level

If you know that you won’t be using your EV for a certain period of time, make sure you get your battery ready for this “hibernation” period. If your vehicle will be kept in storage for a long time, you should ideally charge your battery every three months or so. 

Since your EV battery will lose power over time, even when the vehicle is not in use, you should try to maintain the charge between 20% and 80%, to ensure that both your vehicle and your battery are ready to go once you need them. 

If your vehicle will also be exposed to extreme temperatures during this downtime, you may need to perform more regular battery health checks and adjust recharging accordingly. 

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Monitor Battery Health

Most EVs today feature a battery management system that’s designed to monitor the overall state of the battery and notify the user in case of any issues. 

Needless to say, you need to make it a habit to check this important information about the battery, such as its overall health and the state of charge, to ensure everything is working properly. 

Of course, in case you notice any issues when running regular battery health checks make sure you address them sooner, rather than later. That way you can nip any issues in the bud, before they become bigger or get out of hand.

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Only Charge Fully for Long Trips

Since every battery gets worn out over time, it’s no secret that the same will happen to your EV’s battery as well. And, like we’ve mentioned earlier, lithium-ion batteries perform best within the range of 20% and 80% charge.

Simply put, it will take nearly the same amount of time to charge your battery from 20% to 80%, as it would to charge it 80% to 100%, because charging rates slow down significantly past the 80% mark. The batteries are designed this way to prevent overcharge, which can greatly contribute to faster battery degradation.

So, fully charging your EV’s battery only really makes sense if you’re planning to go on a long trip where you won’t be able to stop and top off your battery as often as you otherwise would.

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Avoid Deep Discharging

Most EVs use lithium-ion batteries that are made of cells filled with materials, such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, and copper. Allowing your vehicle to reach deep discharge can put unnecessary strain on these cells which can, then, significantly affect their overall capacity.

Simply put, the more extremes, such as overcharging or deep discharging, you put your EV battery through, the shorter it is likely to last and maintain optimal health.

So, make sure you avoid both of these extremes as much and as often as possible.

Charging Station Etiquette

When using a public charging station, you should always make sure you remain courteous towards other charging station users, to avoid any potential faux pas. Remember, you’re not the only one who’s in the need of a recharge, so make sure you:

• Use the right charger for your vehicle
• Don’t unplug other people’s vehicles
• Move your vehicle as soon as you’re done charging it
• Put the charging cable where it belongs once you’re done using it
• Don’t use a public charger unless you absolutely need to
• If you drive a Tesla, don’t use a non-Tesla charger
• Don’t honk at or try to rush other people using the charging station
• Don’t block access for other users
• Park neatly
• Don’t blast music too loud while charging your vehicle
• Don’t use the same charger as another driver if possible
• Don’t leave any trash in the charging lot

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Find Shade

If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to leave your EV parked out in the open -  and chances are that you will - always try to find shade and park there instead of leaving your vehicle exposed to direct sunlight. 

As mentioned earlier, prolonged sun exposure can easily make your car overheat, which will lead to faster battery degradation and shorter battery life. 

However, in case you simply can’t find any shade, use sunshade inserts or reflective window covers to, at least somewhat, reduce the heat buildup inside your car.

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Give Your EV a Run Regularly

Being parked in one spot for too long can not only compromise your EV battery health, but it can also compromise other parts of your vehicle.

Namely, if your car is left exposed to direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time, your car battery can suffer, your paint can start to chip and your dashboard may crack. Even if you take away sunlight as a factor and keep your car parked in a garage, your tires may develop flat spots which will compromise their overall safety and performance.

That’s why you need to make sure that you give your EV a run regularly, to ensure optimal performance and desirable overall shape.

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Regenerative Braking

Regenerative braking is another factor that can help contribute to the well-being of your EV’s battery. Namely, since regenerative braking absorbs vehicle motion energy and turns it into electrical energy when the vehicle is slowing down, you’d want to pay attention to your driving style as well. 

Sudden braking can easily negatively affect the health of your battery, as the intensity of the energy absorbed can overwhelm the battery. 

Furthermore, it’s also worth noting that charging your EV battery in extremely cold conditions can lead to slower charging rates, which can further affect the efficiency of regenerative braking.

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Consistent Driving Speed

It’s also worth noting that how you drive your EV can also affect its battery life. As mentioned, braking suddenly or accelerating too rapidly all of a sudden can also make your EV battery perform poorly, due to sudden and exaggerated - incoming or outgoing - power surges.

That’s why it’s always recommended that you follow the general road safety guidelines and try to accelerate or brake gradually. That way you will be able to maximise your battery range and help keep it in optimal condition longer.

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Plan Your EV Charging Route with OVO Charge

Nowadays, where everything seems to be connected, there’s really no reason to leave things up to chance when planning a road trip. That’s why we offer you the best app to find charging stations near you, no matter where you may find yourself. 

With the help of our app, you can easily find the nearest charging stations and pay for the services no matter which provider you use. 

So, check out our charging guides to ease any pre-trip anxieties you may be feeling and enjoy the ride knowing that we have your back.

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Conclusion

By following these EV battery charging best practices, not only will you ensure that you never run out of power unexpectedly, but also that you’re doing your most to keep your EV battery as healthy as possible.

With the help of these neat tricks you will ensure that you never compromise the overall well-being of your EV battery, which will only make it last longer and perform better. 

So, if you’re not sure how to keep your EV battery performing well and in good condition, try out some of these tips and see for yourself why they are included in the list of best EV charging practices.

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