After buying an electric vehicle, it is most important to take care of its battery. After all, the range and performance of the vehicle depends on this to a great extent. But people who drive EVs often have a question in their minds, should the battery be charged to 100% every day or is it enough to charge it to 80%? Actually, the answer depends on the type of battery installed in your vehicle. Most electric vehicles use lithium-ion batteries, but their charging method may vary according to different technologies.
Why is it better to charge up to 80%?
If your electric vehicle has an NMC i.e. Nickel Manganese Cobalt battery, it is considered better to charge it to about 80% for daily use. This is because keeping the battery at 100% charge for a long time puts more stress on its cells. If this happens continuously, the capacity of the battery starts to decrease gradually.
So, if you go to office daily, do market work or use EV to travel somewhere nearby, there is no need to do full charging every time. 80% charge may be sufficient for your daily commute. This can help keep the battery in good condition for longer.
Does charging to 100% damage the battery?
Not that charging EV batteries to 100% is always harmful. It’s perfectly fine to do a full charge once in a while. Keeping the battery fully charged is beneficial especially when you have to travel long distances.
However, problems can arise when you repeatedly charge the battery to 100% and park the vehicle for long periods of time. This can affect battery health over time. Another thing is that a fully charged battery has less room to store electricity through regenerative braking. Because of this, the benefit of this feature may also be limited.
What is the correct method in EV with LFP battery?
Some electric vehicles are equipped with LFP i.e. Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries. Charging rules may be slightly different in case of these batteries. Some companies recommend charging it up to 100% periodically. This is done so that the battery management system (BMS) can accurately estimate the charge remaining in the battery.
Therefore, the 80% charging rule is not the same for every EV. Be sure to check your vehicle company’s advice and user manual. Also, don’t let the battery discharge too often. Even in extreme heat, avoid parking the vehicle for long periods in a fully charged or very low charge condition. By keeping these little things in mind, you can help extend the life of your EV’s battery.
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