Charged EVs | Does frequent DC fast charging shorten an EV battery’s life?

Too-frequent DC quick charging can theoretically harm an EV’s battery, inflicting it to lose capability, and thus driving vary, quicker than would in any other case be the case. Nonetheless, there’s little exhausting knowledge on the long-term results of frequent quick charging.

Now battery knowledge specialist Recurrent has made a considerable contribution to the literature on the topic. Recurrent studied fast charging on over 12,500 Tesla autos within the US to be taught if the software program and security mechanisms within the battery administration system (BMS) stop harm to the battery.

Recurrent in contrast automobiles whose house owners use quick charging nearly completely to automobiles whose house owners very not often quick cost. The outcomes of the research present no statistically vital distinction in vary degradation between Teslas that have been quick charged greater than 90% of the time and people who have been quick charged lower than 10% of the time.

Preliminary evaluation by the Recurrent workforce means that the research findings will be utilized throughout Tesla fashions and different EV producers, though the corporate continues to be conducting detailed analysis on different standard EV fashions. EV makers have invested in strong thermal, voltage and battery administration programs with a view to shield their batteries from harm with routine quick charger use, and Recurrent’s research outcomes point out that these programs are efficient.

The quick reply to the query on each EV proprietor’s thoughts, based on Recurrent: “Occasional quick charging is ok.”

‍Quick charging can have an effect on EV battery life, nonetheless. Recurrent cautions towards quick charging in excessive warmth or excessive chilly with out battery preconditioning. Preconditioning refers to a function of an EV’s thermal administration system that pre-cools the battery so it might probably settle for the next cost price with out overheating. Usually, if a driver makes use of the automobile’s navigation system to find a quick charging station, the battery might be preconditioned by the point it arrives.

One also needs to keep away from quick charging an EV at very low or very excessive states of cost, as battery resistance might be greater.

EV drivers who insist on quick charging their automobiles to 100% are the scourge of busy charging hubs. In truth, as Recurrent explains, most EVs have software program that can curtail quick charging speeds above an 80% state of cost with a view to keep away from stressing the battery, so hanging round to get that final 20% is pointless.

Recurrent additionally factors out that the said charging pace in kW of a specific quick charger doesn’t inform you precisely how briskly the automobile can cost. Actual-world charging pace depends on many elements, together with software program and battery limitations, temperature, state of cost, and battery age. (That’s why Charged seldom repeats automakers’ claims about charging pace.)

Supply: Recurrent