How to extend the
electric battery’s
longevity?

Once you become an electric car owner, what follows, usually, is the question of the battery’s longevity. In general, this main component of a thermic vehicle is replaced every 5 years, while that of an electric vehicle is replaced every 6 to 13 years. This range varies depending on the daily use of the car.

If you would like to learn more about how to take care of your electric battery, discover all our tips to put in place in your daily routine :

The basics :
Measuring the state of your car’s battery

If you want to know the health state of your electric battery, verify its SoH (State of Health). This is a detailed description of the traction battery’s control*. Its result is shown in percentage and indicates the degree of degradation of the battery compared to its initial performance (power and autonomy loss). It is possible to make the diagnostic using tools sold online or use the services of a professional (dealership, manufacturer or repair shop). The price varies between 50 and 130€.

Now you know the SoH of your battery, the goal is to conserve the percentage of degradation at the lowest level and for the longest time possible. How to do that ?

Preserve the electric battery: drive regularly !

To effectively preserve your battery, we advise you to use it daily. An occasional usage is not recommended, it risks damaging the battery. If you are planning to leave at a certain time don’t hesitate to charge your battery only between 50 to 60% of full charge. If you leave your battery charged at 100% without using it, the risk of damage is very high.

Charge your electric battery intelligently :

The batteries do not like to be charged at 100% of their capacity. The ideal charge range is 20 to 80%.
Also, it is preferable to prioritize short charging sessions rather than longer sessions, which heat the battery too much.

Even if it is practical, the supercharger can damage your battery, especially if you use it frequently. A slow charge preserves the battery’s components and its longevity.
Also, charging in the evening at your place can be a good practice !

Avoid the extremes : not too hot, not too cold !

The batteries are sensitive to large temperature changes. In fact, under very strong or very weak heat, the battery’s components become unstable which causes a fast energy loss !

We therefore advise you to leave your car in an area with average and stable temperatures (over 5° C and under 27° C). A garage is thus ideal ! This will also allow a lower consumption for defrosting, heating and air conditioning.

A smooth driving style !

In general, avoid too abrupt acceleration or too hard braking. They demand a lot of energy and heat the battery’s components. Thus, preserve your battery by driving in the smoothest manner.

Be patient before and after charging :

Charging your electric car involves the heating of its battery. Thus, always within the logic of not heating it too much, it is preferable to wait for its heat to subside before charging and also before returning to the road. In fact, the two actions, charging and driving, tend to increase the temperature of the battery.

More info

Do you know that electric batteries have a second life ?

In France, more than 65% of lithium-ion batteries are recycled (the type of battery primarily used by the manufacturers of electric cars). In fact, when they no longer can provide enough power to make the car roll, these batteries are stored in dedicated infrastructures close to the renewable energy grid. There, they conserve their energy up to the moment they are used.

You know now the different tips that allow you to prolong the longevity of your electric battery. However, be aware that even if you take care of your car and its battery, the autonomy and performance of the two always end up diminishing over time.

Don’t hesitate to consult our other chronicles to continue to learn more about electric mobility, the energy transition and sustainable development !