How to charge EVs, Electric Cars in proper way, increase the battery lifespan?

Isula Vatel
By Isula Vatel
Created on Mar 29, 2024

If you own an electric car, you surely know that the battery is an extremely important part, it directly affects the cost and performance of the vehicle. In particular, if you know how to charge an electric car, it will significantly increase the battery life. In this article, we will share with you how to properly and safely charge the battery and help the electric car battery be used for the maximum time.

1) Factors affecting the lifespan of electric car batteries

Current electric vehicles have more durability and energy than batteries. Of course, during use, the battery will gradually reduce its capacity. As the battery capacity decreases, the charging cycle increases, meaning the battery life is also shortened. And electric car batteries will also be affected by many different factors such as:

Weather conditions

Electric car batteries are not always suitable for all weather conditions. In fact, using batteries in unsuitable weather conditions can directly affect their lifespan and performance.

Extremely high or low temperatures can cause battery problems. Using the battery at too high a temperature can cause a chemical reaction within the battery, leading to a reduction or loss of energy storage capacity. On the other hand, at very low temperatures, the battery's ability to emit energy can also be significantly limited.

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So when choosing an electric car, make sure it is suitable for the weather conditions where you live. Using electric car batteries in the right environment can increase their lifespan and performance.

Do not use the vehicle for a long time

If for any reason you cannot use the car for a long time and forget to charge the battery, it is likely that the car's battery will be damaged and cannot be restored.

Electric vehicle batteries need to be maintained and charged periodically to function optimally. When not using the car for a long time, leaving the car at too high or too low temperatures, and not charging the battery so that the battery is in a depleted state, the battery will gradually lose its ability to store energy. This leads to a "dead" battery that cannot be restored.

Therefore, you need to regularly check and charge the battery in case you do not use the vehicle for a long time or when the battery is nearly exhausted. This will ensure that your vehicle is ready for every journey and helps extend the life of your battery well into the future.

Improper battery charging

Improper battery charging often comes from ignorance or convenience. However, this can directly affect battery life and device performance.

One of the common habits is to charge the battery when it is still full of energy. This can lead to the battery constantly receiving and emitting energy, causing the process of charging and cooling to occur continuously. When the battery is constantly working, the components inside the battery will undergo changes and damage, reducing the battery's lifespan.

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In addition, charging an electric car too many times when the battery is exhausted is also a bad habit. When the battery is depleted, it often goes into a weak state and requires a large amount of energy to restart. This also creates a large amount of thermodynamics during charging, increasing wear and tear inside the battery and shortening its lifespan.

Overusing fast charging is also not good for the battery. During fast charging, the battery's temperature rises rapidly, creating chemical reactions that can damage the battery. It is important to charge the battery according to the manufacturer's instructions and maintain a proper charging procedure to ensure optimal battery performance and extended device life.

2) How to properly charge an electric car helps keep the battery from deteriorating?

How to charge an electric car when you first buy it

Charging your electric car for the first time when you first buy it is very important and it should be done carefully. To ensure optimal battery life and performance, this process begins with charging the battery the first three times you purchase the vehicle.

An important rule is to do the first three long charges for about 10 hours each to age the battery. This helps balance and stabilize the energy inside the battery, ensuring optimal performance and future battery life.

After the first three charges, subsequent charges should follow the manufacturer's instructions. Usually when the battery is full, the charging light will turn green, and then you can stop charging. It is important not to leave an electric vehicle with a depleted battery for long periods of time, as this can affect the battery's performance and lifespan.

Carrying out the initial charging process properly will help your electric vehicle battery operate stably, optimizing battery life.

How to charge during use

How to charge an electric car during use is an important part of maintaining battery life and performance. Here are some ways to properly charge an electric car:

Charge when the battery is about 20% left: When you see the battery capacity is about 20% left, proceed to charge the vehicle. Avoid letting the battery drop to a low energy level before charging, as this can put a lot of pressure on the battery and cause it to quickly become corroded, damaged and swollen.

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Wait for the battery to cool before charging: After using the vehicle, you should wait 30 minutes to 1 hour for the battery to cool down to ambient temperature before charging. This helps protect the battery from sudden temperature changes.

No need to fully charge: For cases where you do not travel too far, you do not necessarily need to charge the battery to 100% but can stop at 80%. This reduces the pressure on the battery and makes its lifespan more conserved. End charging immediately after full charge: Once the vehicle has fully charged the battery, immediately stop the electric car charging process. Avoid letting the battery continue to charge, as this can damage the electrode layers and shorten the life of the Lithium Ion battery.

Ideal temperature for battery charging: The ideal temperature for battery charging is between 20°C and 45°C. Avoid leaving the vehicle and battery in places where the temperature is too cold or too hot.

Choose a cool place to charge: When charging, place the battery charger in a cool place and avoid damp places. Ensure correct polarity connection: While charging your electric car, make sure you do not reverse the negative and positive connections, as this can cause polarity reversal and shorten the battery's life.

How to charge when the car is not in use?

When you don't use your car for a period of time, you need to know how to charge your electric car and store it properly. To ensure that the battery does not wear out or lose capacity. Here are some instructions for properly charging your electric vehicle during storage:

+ Store at ideal temperature: Park the vehicle in a cool area, with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C. Battery capacity level should be maintained between 40% and 60%. If the capacity level is lower, the battery is at risk of running out of energy if left uncharged and used for a long period of time. This may reduce battery performance, causing damage and loss of use.

+ Store according to the manufacturer's instructions: Always follow the battery storage instructions given by the manufacturer to optimally protect the battery.

+ Long-term storage procedure: If you do not use the electric vehicle for more than 14 days, you should apply the following steps:

Charge electric cars before storage to ensure battery capacity is at least 50%. Unplug the battery connection from the vehicle to prevent unnecessary energy consumption. If possible, remove the battery from the vehicle and store it in a cool, dry place. Avoid placing the battery upside down, placing heavy or sharp objects on the battery, or placing the battery near cleaning agents or chemicals.

+ Follow the manufacturer's instructions: Carefully read and follow the battery storage and use instructions provided by the manufacturer. This ensures that you are following specific rules to protect your battery and ensure the longest life.

+ Choose a battery rental service: In case you do not use your electric vehicle regularly, you can consider a battery rental program from the manufacturer or service provider. This helps you eliminate concerns about battery preservation and avoid situations where the battery is worn out due to not being used for a long time. Currently, many electric vehicle manufacturers, such as VinFast, have adopted a battery rental policy for users, which is a convenient solution to preserve and use electric vehicles effectively.

Isula Vatel

Isula Vatel

Currently an assistant editor at AllureSeason.com, Isula is a Manhattan-based journalist who specializes in health, wellness, beauty, fashion, business, and lifestyle. Her work has appeared in Women’s Health, Woman’s Day, Houston Chronicle, Business Insider, INSIDER, Everyday Health, and more.  She is always happy to know that her articles with so many views, comments as well as reviews. Since then, she has been motivated to continue improving her writing skills, innovating writing style and bringing useful knowledge and information to everyone.

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