Six Tips To Extend Your EV's Battery Life
Anyone who has owned a mobile phone will know that batteries don’t last forever. After a couple of years, you can find yourself spending more time charging your phone than using it, and then you know it’s time for an upgrade.
Understandably, concerns about battery life are one of the biggest reservations among would-be electric vehicle buyers, but how long do EV batteries really last and what can you do to extend their life?
Most electric car batteries last anywhere from 10-20 years, so if you were to buy an EV now, your battery could still be going strong in the year 2040. And that’s not just some marketing spiel. Most manufacturers guarantee their batteries for eight years or 100,000 miles.
That’s pretty amazing when your mobile phone battery is on its knees after a couple of years, but EV manufacturers go to great lengths to make their batteries last. EV batteries are buffered, which means drivers don’t use the full amount of power stored in their battery packs. That additional capacity can then come into play as the vehicle ages. That, combined with a few other clever techniques, helps to keep EV batteries running trouble-free year after year.
As well as the steps taken by the manufacturers, there are also a few things you can do yourself to extend the life of your EV battery, reduce degradation and maximise its performance. Here are a few proven battery saving tips.
1. Don’t charge your EV battery to 100%
If you’ve been driving a petrol or diesel vehicle, you’ll be used to rolling into a petrol station and filling the tank up - that’s if you can afford to these days. When you buy an EV, you need to think a little differently. You shouldn’t juice your EV up to the max every time you plug it in as that will reduce your battery’s lifespan. Instead, get into the mindset of little and often.
To prolong your battery’s life, you should only charge your EV up to 80% of its capacity. That remaining 20% then acts as a buffer to compensate for degradation over time. That helps the range of the battery to stay at around the same level throughout its life. Similarly, you shouldn’t drain the battery until it’s completely empty. Known as deep discharging, this can lead to excessive wear that speeds up degradation. Instead, plug it in when it reaches around 10% or 20% of capacity as much as you can.
2. Default to slow charging
There are some occasions when fast or rapid charging is unavoidable, for example, if you’ve pulled into a motorway service station for a quick charge and are desperate to get home for your tea. We get that. But if you have a choice, you should try to avoid fast and rapid charging when you can. That’s because forcing all that current into your battery in such a short period puts a strain on it, and that makes it degrade faster.
Instead, default to slow at home and on-street charging whenever possible. Although it will take longer, you can charge your car cheaply and conveniently overnight and using slow chargers can give you 10% more battery life when compared with eight years of fast charging.
3. Protect your electric vehicle in hot weather
The weather in the UK might leave a lot to be desired 90% of the time, but the good news is that our drab weather does help to prolong the life of your EV battery. Excessive heat and exposure to the sun can take a toll on your EV’s battery when your car is parked up and unplugged, so the one day a year the temperature approaches 30oC, try to park in the shade or leave your car in the garage.
If you live somewhere warmer, it’s worth plugging your car in during hot weather so its thermal management system can function. You should also park your car in the shade or keep it tucked away in your garage and away from direct sunlight. A word of warning though - the temperature can also creep up in your garage, so it might be worth fitting a fan to cool your car and protect the batteries.
4. Avoid the extreme cold
With extremely cold temperatures also affecting the performance of your EV batteries, it turns out that the UK, with its moderate climate, is a great place to own an electric vehicle - lucky you.
Although extreme cold can affect your EV batteries in a similar way to hot temperatures, in the cold, the effect is only temporary. Freezing weather can reduce your battery range by up to 40% if you have your heaters on while you drive. Again, the best way to preserve your battery in freezing temperatures is to plug your EV in and keep it in the garage when you’re not out and about.
5. Plan for extended periods when you won’t be driving
If you’re going away on holiday or won’t be driving your car for a few weeks, leaving your EV at a mid-level charge will help to protect the battery. The optimum charge level is around 60%*. You should also keep your car in a cool location and out of the sun. Some electric vehicles have a storage mode, which helps to protect the battery for you, but if not, following these simple steps will keep your battery in tip-top condition for when you get home.
*Check your manufacturer’s recommendations for storage as optimum charge levels can vary.
6. Don’t drive like a maniac
Driving like Lewis Hamilton on race day won’t necessarily damage your battery over the longer term, but it can have a big impact on your range. While motorway and dual carriageway driving is no problem at all in an electric vehicle, you should be aware that driving too quickly can have an impact.
Research has shown that most electric cars, when driving at speeds exceeding 75 mph, can lose up to 30% of their range. So, reducing your speed slightly on motorways and accelerating smoothly can keep your battery going for longer.
If you follow our tips, the cost of a replacement EV battery isn’t important. As we’ve said, you can expect an EV battery to last between 10 and 20 years, and with standard warranties of around eight years, it’s very unlikely to be something you need to worry about.
The only scenario where you may have to consider replacing your EV battery is if you buy a second-hand electric vehicle that’s already a few years old. Even then, with an eight-year guarantee as standard, the warranty should still cover you for a few more years. And if you are outside the term of the warranty, some manufacturers will stipulate an acceptable battery capacity after eight years (often around 70%). If your battery capacity is lower than that level, they’ll replace it or refurbish it for free.
If you do need a replacement battery pack, getting a new battery from a main dealer will cost a few thousand pounds. A much cheaper option is to get a third party to fit a good condition used or refurbished battery at around half the price.
At Bonnet, we simplify the EV charging experience by letting you use charge points from more than 17 networks all on one app. Just download the Bonnet app, use our interactive map to find your nearest charger, and set up and pay for your charge in seconds. We offer flat rate charging across all of our network partners so you know exactly how much your charge will cost.
Six Tips To Extend Your EV's Battery Life
Anyone who has owned a mobile phone will know that batteries don’t last forever. After a couple of years, you can find yourself spending more time charging your phone than using it, and then you know it’s time for an upgrade.
Understandably, concerns about battery life are one of the biggest reservations among would-be electric vehicle buyers, but how long do EV batteries really last and what can you do to extend their life?
Most electric car batteries last anywhere from 10-20 years, so if you were to buy an EV now, your battery could still be going strong in the year 2040. And that’s not just some marketing spiel. Most manufacturers guarantee their batteries for eight years or 100,000 miles.
That’s pretty amazing when your mobile phone battery is on its knees after a couple of years, but EV manufacturers go to great lengths to make their batteries last. EV batteries are buffered, which means drivers don’t use the full amount of power stored in their battery packs. That additional capacity can then come into play as the vehicle ages. That, combined with a few other clever techniques, helps to keep EV batteries running trouble-free year after year.
As well as the steps taken by the manufacturers, there are also a few things you can do yourself to extend the life of your EV battery, reduce degradation and maximise its performance. Here are a few proven battery saving tips.
1. Don’t charge your EV battery to 100%
If you’ve been driving a petrol or diesel vehicle, you’ll be used to rolling into a petrol station and filling the tank up - that’s if you can afford to these days. When you buy an EV, you need to think a little differently. You shouldn’t juice your EV up to the max every time you plug it in as that will reduce your battery’s lifespan. Instead, get into the mindset of little and often.
To prolong your battery’s life, you should only charge your EV up to 80% of its capacity. That remaining 20% then acts as a buffer to compensate for degradation over time. That helps the range of the battery to stay at around the same level throughout its life. Similarly, you shouldn’t drain the battery until it’s completely empty. Known as deep discharging, this can lead to excessive wear that speeds up degradation. Instead, plug it in when it reaches around 10% or 20% of capacity as much as you can.
2. Default to slow charging
There are some occasions when fast or rapid charging is unavoidable, for example, if you’ve pulled into a motorway service station for a quick charge and are desperate to get home for your tea. We get that. But if you have a choice, you should try to avoid fast and rapid charging when you can. That’s because forcing all that current into your battery in such a short period puts a strain on it, and that makes it degrade faster.
Instead, default to slow at home and on-street charging whenever possible. Although it will take longer, you can charge your car cheaply and conveniently overnight and using slow chargers can give you 10% more battery life when compared with eight years of fast charging.
3. Protect your electric vehicle in hot weather
The weather in the UK might leave a lot to be desired 90% of the time, but the good news is that our drab weather does help to prolong the life of your EV battery. Excessive heat and exposure to the sun can take a toll on your EV’s battery when your car is parked up and unplugged, so the one day a year the temperature approaches 30oC, try to park in the shade or leave your car in the garage.
If you live somewhere warmer, it’s worth plugging your car in during hot weather so its thermal management system can function. You should also park your car in the shade or keep it tucked away in your garage and away from direct sunlight. A word of warning though - the temperature can also creep up in your garage, so it might be worth fitting a fan to cool your car and protect the batteries.
4. Avoid the extreme cold
With extremely cold temperatures also affecting the performance of your EV batteries, it turns out that the UK, with its moderate climate, is a great place to own an electric vehicle - lucky you.
Although extreme cold can affect your EV batteries in a similar way to hot temperatures, in the cold, the effect is only temporary. Freezing weather can reduce your battery range by up to 40% if you have your heaters on while you drive. Again, the best way to preserve your battery in freezing temperatures is to plug your EV in and keep it in the garage when you’re not out and about.
5. Plan for extended periods when you won’t be driving
If you’re going away on holiday or won’t be driving your car for a few weeks, leaving your EV at a mid-level charge will help to protect the battery. The optimum charge level is around 60%*. You should also keep your car in a cool location and out of the sun. Some electric vehicles have a storage mode, which helps to protect the battery for you, but if not, following these simple steps will keep your battery in tip-top condition for when you get home.
*Check your manufacturer’s recommendations for storage as optimum charge levels can vary.
6. Don’t drive like a maniac
Driving like Lewis Hamilton on race day won’t necessarily damage your battery over the longer term, but it can have a big impact on your range. While motorway and dual carriageway driving is no problem at all in an electric vehicle, you should be aware that driving too quickly can have an impact.
Research has shown that most electric cars, when driving at speeds exceeding 75 mph, can lose up to 30% of their range. So, reducing your speed slightly on motorways and accelerating smoothly can keep your battery going for longer.
If you follow our tips, the cost of a replacement EV battery isn’t important. As we’ve said, you can expect an EV battery to last between 10 and 20 years, and with standard warranties of around eight years, it’s very unlikely to be something you need to worry about.
The only scenario where you may have to consider replacing your EV battery is if you buy a second-hand electric vehicle that’s already a few years old. Even then, with an eight-year guarantee as standard, the warranty should still cover you for a few more years. And if you are outside the term of the warranty, some manufacturers will stipulate an acceptable battery capacity after eight years (often around 70%). If your battery capacity is lower than that level, they’ll replace it or refurbish it for free.
If you do need a replacement battery pack, getting a new battery from a main dealer will cost a few thousand pounds. A much cheaper option is to get a third party to fit a good condition used or refurbished battery at around half the price.
At Bonnet, we simplify the EV charging experience by letting you use charge points from more than 17 networks all on one app. Just download the Bonnet app, use our interactive map to find your nearest charger, and set up and pay for your charge in seconds. We offer flat rate charging across all of our network partners so you know exactly how much your charge will cost.
Six Tips To Extend Your EV's Battery Life
Anyone who has owned a mobile phone will know that batteries don’t last forever. After a couple of years, you can find yourself spending more time charging your phone than using it, and then you know it’s time for an upgrade.
Understandably, concerns about battery life are one of the biggest reservations among would-be electric vehicle buyers, but how long do EV batteries really last and what can you do to extend their life?
Most electric car batteries last anywhere from 10-20 years, so if you were to buy an EV now, your battery could still be going strong in the year 2040. And that’s not just some marketing spiel. Most manufacturers guarantee their batteries for eight years or 100,000 miles.
That’s pretty amazing when your mobile phone battery is on its knees after a couple of years, but EV manufacturers go to great lengths to make their batteries last. EV batteries are buffered, which means drivers don’t use the full amount of power stored in their battery packs. That additional capacity can then come into play as the vehicle ages. That, combined with a few other clever techniques, helps to keep EV batteries running trouble-free year after year.
As well as the steps taken by the manufacturers, there are also a few things you can do yourself to extend the life of your EV battery, reduce degradation and maximise its performance. Here are a few proven battery saving tips.
1. Don’t charge your EV battery to 100%
If you’ve been driving a petrol or diesel vehicle, you’ll be used to rolling into a petrol station and filling the tank up - that’s if you can afford to these days. When you buy an EV, you need to think a little differently. You shouldn’t juice your EV up to the max every time you plug it in as that will reduce your battery’s lifespan. Instead, get into the mindset of little and often.
To prolong your battery’s life, you should only charge your EV up to 80% of its capacity. That remaining 20% then acts as a buffer to compensate for degradation over time. That helps the range of the battery to stay at around the same level throughout its life. Similarly, you shouldn’t drain the battery until it’s completely empty. Known as deep discharging, this can lead to excessive wear that speeds up degradation. Instead, plug it in when it reaches around 10% or 20% of capacity as much as you can.
2. Default to slow charging
There are some occasions when fast or rapid charging is unavoidable, for example, if you’ve pulled into a motorway service station for a quick charge and are desperate to get home for your tea. We get that. But if you have a choice, you should try to avoid fast and rapid charging when you can. That’s because forcing all that current into your battery in such a short period puts a strain on it, and that makes it degrade faster.
Instead, default to slow at home and on-street charging whenever possible. Although it will take longer, you can charge your car cheaply and conveniently overnight and using slow chargers can give you 10% more battery life when compared with eight years of fast charging.
3. Protect your electric vehicle in hot weather
The weather in the UK might leave a lot to be desired 90% of the time, but the good news is that our drab weather does help to prolong the life of your EV battery. Excessive heat and exposure to the sun can take a toll on your EV’s battery when your car is parked up and unplugged, so the one day a year the temperature approaches 30oC, try to park in the shade or leave your car in the garage.
If you live somewhere warmer, it’s worth plugging your car in during hot weather so its thermal management system can function. You should also park your car in the shade or keep it tucked away in your garage and away from direct sunlight. A word of warning though - the temperature can also creep up in your garage, so it might be worth fitting a fan to cool your car and protect the batteries.
4. Avoid the extreme cold
With extremely cold temperatures also affecting the performance of your EV batteries, it turns out that the UK, with its moderate climate, is a great place to own an electric vehicle - lucky you.
Although extreme cold can affect your EV batteries in a similar way to hot temperatures, in the cold, the effect is only temporary. Freezing weather can reduce your battery range by up to 40% if you have your heaters on while you drive. Again, the best way to preserve your battery in freezing temperatures is to plug your EV in and keep it in the garage when you’re not out and about.
5. Plan for extended periods when you won’t be driving
If you’re going away on holiday or won’t be driving your car for a few weeks, leaving your EV at a mid-level charge will help to protect the battery. The optimum charge level is around 60%*. You should also keep your car in a cool location and out of the sun. Some electric vehicles have a storage mode, which helps to protect the battery for you, but if not, following these simple steps will keep your battery in tip-top condition for when you get home.
*Check your manufacturer’s recommendations for storage as optimum charge levels can vary.
6. Don’t drive like a maniac
Driving like Lewis Hamilton on race day won’t necessarily damage your battery over the longer term, but it can have a big impact on your range. While motorway and dual carriageway driving is no problem at all in an electric vehicle, you should be aware that driving too quickly can have an impact.
Research has shown that most electric cars, when driving at speeds exceeding 75 mph, can lose up to 30% of their range. So, reducing your speed slightly on motorways and accelerating smoothly can keep your battery going for longer.
If you follow our tips, the cost of a replacement EV battery isn’t important. As we’ve said, you can expect an EV battery to last between 10 and 20 years, and with standard warranties of around eight years, it’s very unlikely to be something you need to worry about.
The only scenario where you may have to consider replacing your EV battery is if you buy a second-hand electric vehicle that’s already a few years old. Even then, with an eight-year guarantee as standard, the warranty should still cover you for a few more years. And if you are outside the term of the warranty, some manufacturers will stipulate an acceptable battery capacity after eight years (often around 70%). If your battery capacity is lower than that level, they’ll replace it or refurbish it for free.
If you do need a replacement battery pack, getting a new battery from a main dealer will cost a few thousand pounds. A much cheaper option is to get a third party to fit a good condition used or refurbished battery at around half the price.
At Bonnet, we simplify the EV charging experience by letting you use charge points from more than 17 networks all on one app. Just download the Bonnet app, use our interactive map to find your nearest charger, and set up and pay for your charge in seconds. We offer flat rate charging across all of our network partners so you know exactly how much your charge will cost.
