- EVs’ battery life may be up to 40% longer than previously thought, suggests a new study
- The study is novel for employing a variety of charging patterns in its tests, instead of assuming a constant discharge and recharge cycle
- It also suggests frequent sharp and short acceleration can lead to slower battery-life degradation
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A new study that suggests electric-vehicle batteries could last up to 40% longer than previously thought underscores how little we really know about this emerging technology. It also suggests the mountain of misinformation — pro and con — surrounding EVs has slowed adoption rates, particularly in countries like Canada and the United States.
The new SLAC-Stanford Battery Center is part of a partnership between the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Stanford University; and private companies in Silicon Valley, with a mandate to “bridge the gap between fundamental science and the deployment of technology.”
One of the first studies the think-tank tackled is battery degradation, a real concern for EV owners as over time the full-charge range of their car’s battery is sure to be at least somewhat diminished, and eventually require the entire battery pack to be replaced. The questions have always been: degraded by how much, and replaced after how long?
The research, published in Nature Energy, included the testing of 92 commercial lithium-ion batteries over the course of two years utilizing four discharge profiles based on different driving data. Those profiles were used to replicate the different way in which EV owners use their vehicles, from short urban trips to long road trips, and fighting traffic in stop-and-go conditions.
And those profiles had different charging patterns, from plugging in every night to a Level 2 charger; to juicing up on a DC fast-charger once a week or so. The study noted that previous research into battery degradation has not taken these different scenarios into account, instead assuming a constant discharge and recharge cycle. Fine for the lab, but not reflective of real-world situations.
In addition to finding that battery degradation could be 40% better than previously thought, the study found that, contrary to conventional thinking, frequent sharp and short acceleration can lead to slower degradation. And that regenerative braking and resting batteries also assist in longer battery life.
The study also has some advice for automakers, giving them specific pointers on how to update their EV battery management software “to take advantage of the new findings and to maximize battery longevity under real-world conditions.”
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