This video explains how to prolong the lifespan of an electric vehicle's (EV) battery and what practices to avoid. The focus is on NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) batteries, a common type used in EVs, and explains the reasons behind the advice at a microscopic level.
Avoid full charge storage, especially in heat: Storing an EV battery at 100% charge, particularly in hot environments, significantly accelerates degradation. Aim for 30% charge for long-term storage in heat; cold storage is less of a concern.
Frequent small charges are better than infrequent deep discharges: Regularly charging after short trips maintains a relatively low depth of discharge, reducing stress on the battery's crystal structures and preventing cracking. Deep discharges (0-100%) drastically shorten battery life.
Don't regularly charge to 100% (unless using advanced battery technology): Charging to 100% frequently, especially in high-nickel content batteries with many small crystallites, leads to micro-cracking and gas formation, reducing battery lifespan. Target 75% for daily charging and only charge to 100% before long trips. Single-crystal batteries and those with lower nickel content are less susceptible to this.
