As we discussed earlier, it's possible that your EV's battery will lose some capacity over time. There are good habits that, if you practice them, can help your battery stay healthy and retain more range as the years go by.
Important: A car is ultimately meant to be driven and some degradation is inevitable. Don't worry too much or treat these as hard rules. These are simply best practices to be mindful of.
Essential Battery Care Practices
1. Charge to 80% for Daily Use
Lithium-ion batteries don't like to sit fully charged for long periods. Regularly charging to 100% can cause faster degradation.
- Set your daily charge limit to 80%
- Only charge to 100% when you need the extra range for trips
- Most EVs allow you to set charging limits in settings
- This practice can significantly extend battery life
2. Always Be Charging (ABC)
Your battery is happiest when plugged in, so it's healthier to remain plugged-in when not in use. This is especially true if the car will sit for extended periods.
- Plug in whenever possible, even if battery is high
- The car manages charging automatically
- Prevents vampire drain from depleting the battery
- Allows battery thermal management to work optimally
3. Use Preconditioning
Preconditioning warms or cools your battery to optimal temperature before driving, using grid power instead of battery power.
Benefits:
- Comfortable cabin temperature when you start
- Battery at optimal operating temperature
- Better efficiency and range
- Reduced stress on battery in extreme weather
4. Minimize DC Fast Charging
Fast-charging stations are necessary and you shouldn't hesitate to use them. However, they're more stressful on your battery than slower charging.
- Use Level 2 (AC) charging for daily needs
- Reserve DC fast charging for road trips
- Frequent fast charging accelerates degradation
- Home charging overnight is gentlest on battery
5. Avoid Depleting to 0%
Lithium-ion batteries can be damaged if fully discharged. Most EVs have protective buffers, but it's still best to avoid running completely empty.
- Try to keep battery above 20% when possible
- If you hit 0%, plug in as soon as possible
- Don't leave the car at 0% for extended periods
- Plan charging stops on trips to avoid running too low
6. Avoid Charging a Hot Battery
After spirited driving or in hot weather, your battery temperature may be elevated. Charging when hot can increase wear.
- Let battery cool for 15-30 minutes after hard driving
- Many EVs automatically manage this
- Charging speed may be reduced until battery cools
- Park in shade when possible in hot weather
Long-Term Storage
If you're going away or leaving the car stored for extended periods:
Best Practice
- • Leave plugged in at 50% charge
- • Set charge limit to 50%
- • Disable unnecessary features
- • Check on it periodically
If Can't Plug In
- • Charge to 50-60% before leaving
- • Disable all non-essential systems
- • Turn off climate protection
- • Expect some vampire drain
The Bottom Line
Modern EV batteries are designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle with minimal care. Following these best practices will help maximize longevity, but don't stress too much - enjoy your EV! The most important things are: charge to 80% daily, plug in when possible, and avoid extremes of temperature and charge level.
