Introduction
Previously, gas-powered cars dominated the market, but nowadays, electric cars are replacing them completely; why? The reasons for this replacement of gas-powered vehicles with electric cars are multiple. Electric cars are comparatively quiet and clean. The most crucial element of an electric vehicle is the EV battery. Also, these cars are cheap compared to gas-powered vehicles. Now the question is that “Are these electric cars perfect? The answer is no. You need to apply proper maintenance techniques to run them smoothly. These cars need special care.
The battery is the heart of an electric vehicle, and to get the most out of your EV, you need to maintain the battery correctly. You need to understand the battery’s complexity and the factors that affect such as what material has been used in the battery, its lifespan, charging duration and pattern, compatibility between battery design and model with the vehicle, what environmental conditions affect the battery, how much temperature it can withstand and so on. So in this article, we will explore some tips and tricks to maintain electric vehicle batteries, their types, and their characteristics.
What are the different types of EV batteries and their characteristics?
Generally, EVs use two types of batteries one is lithium-ion, and the second one is lithium polymer. Both types of batteries are rechargeable. Besides these two, some other types are also available, like nickel-metal hydride, lead-acid, and ultracapacitor, but these types are rare. Lithium-ion batteries are further divided into two types.
One type of lithium-ion battery is nickel-free LFP means the batteries contain lithium-iron-phosphate. These batteries are cheap, relatively safe, and readily available. Also, these batteries have long life spans, such as “Hundreds of thousands of miles,” Some common examples of vehicles that use LFP batteries are The Tesla Model 3, Rivian R1T, Ford F-150 Lightning, etc.
The second type of lithium-ion batteries is high-nickel NCM batteries, which contain nickel-cobalt-manganese oxide. These batteries have higher energy density as compared to LFP batteries. Some common examples of vehicles that use these batteries are the Tesla Model S and the Lucid Air. Luxury electric vehicles usually are significant users of NCM batteries. These batteries are highly suitable for high-performance vehicles. Still, they are expensive as they rely on scarce materials such as cobalt and nickel, so these batteries are not abundantly available. They are relatively less safe. Also, they do not have much capacity to bear extreme conditions, whether it is hot or cold.
So, you can choose the one that matches your preferences and needs out of these battery types. Must consider the pros and cons of each type and choose accordingly.
Why do you need to avoid overcharging or deep discharging?
Your EV battery’s charging and discharging habits have a high impact on the lifespan of a battery. If you are charging your battery frequently, like you repeat several cycles from 0% to 100% continuously, it will increase the possibility and ratio of the degradation of the battery. Always avoid using rapid chargers.
Keep your EV battery charged, not overcharged like always, 80% to 100%, and not deep discharged. Overcharging and discharging degrade the battery by starting chemical reactions inside the battery. The charging ratio between 20% to 80% is best to keep your EV battery healthy, safe, and long-lasting.
Now how to monitor the charging state of your EV battery? This is simple. Keep your EV dashboard connected to your mobile phone. By doing so, you will know the charging level of the battery. Besides this, some cars also have inbuilt charging indicators in their systems. These indicators show the charging level. Also, if you are afraid of overcharging or discharging the battery of your ev, use smart chargers. These chargers detect and display the overcharging or discharging states.
How can you avoid extreme temperatures and use the cooling system properly?
Extreme conditions, whether high temperature, cold, humidity, or dryness, permanently harm battery life, performance, and efficiency. Every powerful state is dangerous for the battery, as extreme temperature starts chemical reactions inside it and leads it towards degradation. Similarly, lower temperature also slows down or prohibits the necessary chemical reactions. In that case, the battery’s power output decrease, or sometimes you have to replace the battery.
What should you do to avoid such problems? It would help if you parked your EV in moderate weather conditions. Try to place your vehicle under a shed. Also, avoid overcharging and deep discharging of your EV battery. By doing so, you can ensure the battery’s safety and increase its lifespan and performance.
How can you inspect the battery coolant pump, hoses, and fittings for leaks and corrosion?
Keep an eye on your EV cooling system. Regularly inspect the system for any damage, crack, and leaks. If the cooling system of an EV gets blocked or damaged, it may cause fire and electric shocks because of overheating. So always keep the coolant pump, hoses, and fittings clean and operating.
How to inspect the cooling system? All cooling system components should be under the trunk of an EV. Check the cooling system regularly and consult an expert if you find any cracks or damage. If your feel is necessary, then replace the system or the parts of the system to make its performance better.
FAQs
Do electric car batteries require maintenance?
An EV coolant system is the key to better vehicle performance, so keep the system cool to avoid any damage to the battery. Specifically, electric car batteries do not require maintenance. Keep them under moderate weather conditions and avoid overcharging or discharging them to prevent injury and degradation.
What are the three tips for maintaining a car battery?
The first tip is to keep the battery terminal neat and clean to keep them dirt free. It will increase their performance high. The second tip is to test the battery voltage regularly, and it should be about 12.6 volts in fully charged condition. The third tip is that replacing the battery is the best option if no tips, tricks, or renovations work.
What is battery management in electric vehicles?
Battery management is the procedure of monitoring the state of the battery pack of your EV by voltage measurement, current measurement, temperature, and condition of charge measurement. After measuring the state of all these parameters, make them balanced. It will increase the safety of your EV battery.
What is the maintenance of an electric vehicle?
Electric vehicles do not need some high-level maintenance like conventional vehicles as they do not have internal combustion engine-like components. But still, they are only partially maintenance-free. You need to maintain their brakes, tires, wipers, and parts. Also, you must keep the coolant system functional for EV to work smoothly.
Final Analysis
This article explored that EVs have an edge over conventional vehicles. EV batteries do not need specific maintenance, but they are not maintenance-free. It would help if you kept their brakes working. You have to put an eye on their tire conditions and so on. But the central point in EV battery maintenance is keeping the coolant system’s performance high. Check it regularly, inspect for any damage, corrosion, or cracks, and consult with a professional if you find any. If you feel that your EV battery is no more in good working condition, then replace it, but while replacing the battery, keep in mind that the size of the battery, its model, material, proficiency, efficiency, and charging habits should be compatible with your electric vehicle.
