10 Ways to Maximize the Lifespan of Your Electric Vehicle’s Battery

It’s no secret that the battery of an electric vehicle (EV) is very different from that of a petrol or diesel car. In the case of an electric vehicle, it’s the battery that runs the car and is the main source of power. This raises several questions about the battery’s lifespan. However, the answer remains the same: the lifespan of a battery depends on the effort taken to maintain it. With the right amount of maintenance, you can make the most of your electric vehicle’s battery.

The Tata Nexon EV is powered by an IP 67 rated 30.2 kWh battery pack with an ARAI certified range of 312 kms. The battery pack and the motor are covered under a warranty that spans 8 years or  1,60,000 kms, whichever comes first. To take extra care of your vehicle’s battery, we have listed a few tips to make sure you are never stranded at the side of the road with a depleted battery. 

1. Avoid full charge –Charging the battery to its maximum limit is one of the most common causes of reduced battery life. Most people develop a habit of charging their EV battery up to 100% on a regular basis. This causes damage to the battery in the long run. Ideally, an electric vehicle’s battery should be charged up to 80%. The Tata Nexon EV is equipped with a 30.2 kWh li-ion battery, which delivers unbeatable performance.

2.Avoid draining out your battery– While you should avoid charging your battery to a 100%, you should also avoid draining it out completely before charging it. Recharge your battery when you find that it is around 30%. This will prevent your battery from wearing out and more importantly, you will never run out of charge while on the road.

3.Time your charge – People often have a habit of charging their electric vehicle every night so that their car is ready for the next day. Charging overnight may help save time, but it is not good for the battery when done on a frequent basis. It is important for you to clock the duration of charging. The Tata Nexon EV, for example, takes approximately 8.5 hours to get fully charged from a regular 15 Ampere AC plug point. Overcharging can cause damage to the batteries in the long run. Timing the duration of charge will not only help increase the lifespan of the battery but also help you cut down on electricity consumption and, as a result, save money too.

4.Park in the shade – During the day, avoid parking your car in places that are exposed to direct sunlight. This will prevent the batteries from overheating. Find a spot under a tree or any other shady place, and park your vehicle there. Additionally, it will also help keep the vehicle cool.

5.Avoid frequent Quick Charging – Many EVs come with a quick charging option. With Tata Nexon EV’s fast charging option, you can charge from 0% to 80% in 60 minutes. However, the regular charging option is recommended to help sustain battery life. The Tata Nexon EV can be charged from 0 to 90% in 8.5 hours from any regular 15 Ampere AC plug point.

6.Drive slowly – Driving too fast tends to drain the battery faster. Try to take a route with slower speed limits, so that the vehicle does not put too much pressure on the battery. The lesser the load on the battery, the longer its battery life. Driving slow not only helps the batteries but also helps you observe traffic rules.

7.Low Battery – Do not leave your car battery uncharged for a long period of time. Even if the car is not moving, the battery can get discharged. Try to keep your battery charged to an optimal 80% to 90% SOC (state of charge level) at all times. This will help it last longer.

8.Plan your commute in advance - Planning your trip in advance is always a good practice. It helps you take a route with the shortest distance, which, in turn consumes less battery. Another important reason for advance planning is that you can locate charging stations along the way. The Tata Motors ZConnect app helps to locate your nearest charging station and provides a navigation option as well.

9.Minimize the use of the air conditioner – Keeping the air conditioner (AC) on for too long, and on high speed can cause the battery to drain faster. Whenever possible, try to avoid using the air conditioner. Instead, keep the window open and enjoy some breeze from time to time.  When using the air conditioner, keep the temperature within optimal range, 24 to 26 degrees Celsius, to reduce the energy consumption. The Tata Nexon EV comes with FATC (Fully Automatic Temperature Control) as a standard across all variants, which helps to keep the temperature within the optimal range.

10.Be mindful of the weight – It is always recommended to travel light. A heavy load on the car increases the vehicle’s energy consumption. Little things like these can impact the batteries a lot more than it might seem.

The above-mentioned tips will help you take care of your electric vehicle’s battery and, thereby, ensure many happy journeys ahead.