Secrets to New-Energy Vehicle Battery Maintenance: Extend Lifespan, Save Costs

Dear readers, today let’s talk about the “heart” of new-energy vehicles—the battery. The battery not only determines the vehicle’s range but also directly affects its overall service life. As a vehicle ages, its battery performance gradually declines, eventually requiring replacement—a process that often comes with significant costs. Therefore, developing good charging habits is crucial for extending your battery’s lifespan! Today, Xiao Xing will share some tips on how to charge your new-energy vehicle’s battery properly to ensure it lasts longer.

I. Lithium Iron Phosphate vs. Ternary Lithium Batteries: A Comparison of Two Types of Power Batteries

Currently, the new-energy vehicle sector primarily uses two types of batteries: lithium iron phosphate batteries and ternary lithium batteries. Lithium iron phosphate batteries use lithium iron phosphate as their cathode material, while ternary lithium batteries feature a cathode composed of nickel, cobalt, manganese (or aluminum), and lithium. Both types of batteries employ graphite as their anode material, and their electrolytes are mainly composed of lithium hexafluorophosphate.

Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries stand out for their affordability, durability, high safety, and excellent thermal stability. Thanks to the lower cost of their raw materials, LFP batteries typically have lower manufacturing costs than ternary lithium batteries, and they also offer the advantages of being non-toxic and environmentally friendly. After undergoing 2,000 complete charge-discharge cycles, the capacity of an LFP battery can still remain above 80%. Moreover, even when subjected to internal or external damage, LFP batteries will not explode, demonstrating exceptionally high safety and stability. They can also withstand temperatures as high as 500 degrees Celsius—by comparison, ternary lithium batteries have a temperature tolerance of around 200 degrees Celsius—making LFP batteries significantly more stable in high-temperature environments.

Ternary lithium batteries are renowned for their high energy density, excellent charging efficiency, and superior low-temperature performance. Currently, the energy density of ternary lithium batteries generally exceeds 240 Wh/kg, with the potential to further increase to 300 Wh/kg in the future. In addition, ternary lithium batteries have a higher voltage platform compared to lithium iron phosphate batteries.

Under extreme low-temperature conditions, such as -20°C, ternary lithium batteries can still maintain a discharge capacity of over 70%, whereas the discharge capacity of lithium iron phosphate batteries drops to approximately 55% under the same conditions. This indicates that ternary lithium batteries exhibit superior performance in low-temperature environments.

II. The Secret to Longer Battery Life Through Proper Charging

1. Activating the battery is a common misconception: Some car owners may have heard that newly purchased vehicles need to undergo a “full charge and full discharge” cycle lasting more than 12 hours each time, repeated three times in succession, to activate the battery. This belief stems from a technical term used during the battery manufacturing process—the so-called “battery formation.” In reality, this step has already been completed by the manufacturer before the battery leaves the factory, so car owners don’t need to repeat it themselves.

2. Charge in a timely manner: Avoid letting the battery run completely flat. Maintaining the lithium battery’s charge level between 20% and 90% can effectively extend its lifespan. Therefore, as soon as your car’s battery level drops to between 20% and 35%, you should arrange to recharge it as soon as possible. Avoid waiting until the battery is critically low before starting to look for charging stations—this not only increases anxiety when searching for charging facilities but also causes significant damage to the battery’s health.
3. Overcharging is not advisable: Most charging stations—especially DC fast chargers—will automatically reduce the current once the battery reaches about 90% to 95% charge, entering what’s known as “trickle-charging” mode, during which the charging rate significantly slows down. Frequently fully charging your battery to 100% can cause unnecessary damage to the battery. Therefore, unless you need to maximize your driving range, it’s recommended to set a charging limit and keep the charge level below 90%. This approach will better protect your battery and extend its lifespan.

III. Daily Charging Guide: Essential Battery Maintenance Tips You Can’t Overlook

Whether it’s lithium iron phosphate batteries or ternary lithium batteries, new-energy vehicles should follow these key guidelines when performing daily charging: ​​​​​​​

Whether it’s lithium iron phosphate batteries or ternary lithium batteries, new-energy vehicles should follow these key guidelines when performing daily charging:

1. Avoid charging in high temperatures: High-temperature environments can negatively affect battery life. During hot seasons such as summer, choose a charging location that is shielded from direct sunlight. Before starting the charging process, turn off the vehicle and let it idle for 10 minutes to allow the battery temperature to cool down naturally. Then, begin the charging procedure.

2. Even if you don’t drive your new-energy vehicle often, it still needs regular charging: As summer approaches, some car owners may choose to park their vehicles in a safe, shaded spot. However, Xiaoxing would like to remind you: When your new-energy vehicle is left unused for an extended period, be sure to fully charge the battery before parking it. Leaving the battery at a low state of charge for a long time can cause it to lose power rapidly, thereby shortening its lifespan. The longer the battery remains idle, the more severe the potential damage could be. Therefore, to maintain the health of your battery pack, even if you don’t use your vehicle frequently, you should still charge it regularly.

Developing good charging habits not only extends the lifespan of your battery but also enhances the driving experience of new-energy vehicles and helps you avoid a lot of unnecessary extra expenses. Do Star Friends have any other questions about charging? Or do you have any unique charging tips to share? Feel free to share your thoughts and suggestions in the comments section—let’s work together to improve the charging experience!