How you care for your EV’s battery makes a big difference to its battery health as our years of battery testing is increasingly showing.
Especially with more cars capable of ultra-fast rapid charging and more EVs being owned by people without off-street parking and unable to charge at home, it is becoming even more important to understand how to best maintain your EV’s battery to preserve range and the value of your car.
Maintaining your electric vehicle (EV) battery health is key to maximising its lifespan and performance.
Avoid Frequent 100% Charges
Lithium-ion batteries degrade faster when regularly charged to 100%.
Keep your state of charge (SoC) between 20% and 80% for daily use. Especially for low daily mileage drivers, do not regularly top up your car unnecessarily. Allow a deeper discharge, and less frequent charges, and less frequently to full.
Charging to 100% is fine for long trips—just avoid letting it sit at 100% for extended periods.
Use Level 2 Charging Most of the Time
DC fast charging (e.g., Superchargers) generates more heat and stresses the battery.
Use Level 2 (240V) Home Charge Point 7kW charging at home or public stations when possible. Reserve DC fast charging for road trips or emergencies, wherever possible.
Charge in Moderate Temperatures
Extreme heat or cold can degrade batteries and reduce charging efficiency.
In hot weather, park and charge in shaded or indoor locations.
In cold weather, precondition the battery before charging or driving.
Don’t Leave Battery at Very High or Very Low States
Batteries degrade faster when left at extremes.
Enable Battery Management Features
Use these features to automate and optimise charging behaviour.
Keep Software Updated
Manufacturers release updates to improve charging algorithms and battery management.
Enable automatic updates if possible.
The certificate includes a complete report on the electric car battery:
The certificate provides you with essential information when purchasing an electric vehicle.
As an electric vehicle ages, its range decreases. This decrease is due to the chemical and physical degradation of the traction battery (i.e., the electric-vehicle battery, which powers the motor). This phenomenon, known as aging, depends heavily on the specific conditions in which the vehicle is used and stored, and is therefore unique to each car. The ‘Generational‘ battery test certificate indicates the State of Health of your electric-vehicle battery at a given time.
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