Eight tips to extend electric vehicle battery life

Is battery longevity a legitimate concern? You bet it is.

With plug-in vehicles, their unproven battery technology could be the cause for constant worry among individuals, first among them the owners. Sure, lengthy warranties are attached to most plug-ins, but are there simple techniques to ensure that your electric ride doesn't run low on go-power anytime soon? Well, our buds over at Plugin Cars came up with eight simple tips that should go a long way to extend battery life. They are:

• Avoid full charging when you can.
• For pure electric vehicles, avoid deep discharging your battery pack.
• For plug-in hybrids, consider "mountain-mode" or exiting EV-mode at key times.
• Use timers to minimize the time spent at a high state of charge.
• On a hot day, try to park in the shade. During the winter, park in a garage, rather than on the street.
• If your electric vehicle has thermal management and the weather is extreme, plug in whenever you can.
• Plan ahead for periods of extended storage.
• To maximize battery life, minimize use of DC quick-charge.

Check out Plugin Cars for a detailed discussion on why these techniques should make for a battery that keeps going and going and... Of course, it's recommended that you always refer to your owner's manual before following any of the suggestions listed above.


Source: Autoblog Green