Electric vehicles, which are considered a solution to climate change, struggle to operate effectively and safely in extreme heat. As heat waves become more common and intense, electric vehicle (EV) owners must prioritize battery safety.
High temperatures may not destroy battery-powered cars, but they do pose challenges. In hot climates, EVs have to work harder to cool down the battery and passengers; however, the real danger lies in the chemical breakdown caused by extreme heat, comparable to heart disease in humans or a slow-moving form of cancer.
As the temperature rises, the ions in the car battery accelerate, causing difficulties in attaching to the anode or cathode. Additionally, the pressure and speed can lead to small cracks, inhibiting chemical reactions and reducing the overall lifespan of the battery.
Fast-charging cycles, like those used with Tesla Superchargers, can have an impact on battery performance. The heat generated during rapid charging is one reason why smartphone batteries don’t charge as quickly. However, on exceptionally hot days, the ions in an EV battery will move around even when the car isn’t being driven or plugged in. This can lead to a permanent reduction in the range of the EV.
“The worst case really is a car that sits in an unconditioned garage in Phoenix all summer without being plugged in,” said Scott Case, co-founder, and chief executive officer of Recurrent, a startup that generates battery health reports for EV customers and dealers. “That will cook the battery really quickly.” If the car is plugged in, it can use charging power to keep its battery cool.
Cold weather also has a direct impact on the performance of electric vehicle batteries. When temperatures drop, the chemical reactions within the battery slow down, resulting in a decreased ability to hold a charge. However, it is important to note that these effects are only temporary. Once the colder season passes and spring arrives, an EV battery in snowy Michigan or chilly Maine will regain its full function.
In contrast, heat can have long-lasting consequences on the maximum range of an EV. Excessive heat can permanently reduce the battery’s capacity, leading to a decreased range that persists over time. Therefore, while cold weather may temporarily affect EV batteries, it is crucial to be mindful of the potential damage that heat can cause to the overall performance and lifespan of the battery.
“You can coach people, but you can’t say ‘Don’t live in Phoenix,’” Case said. “That one feels a little bit unfair.”
As electric vehicle adoption continues to grow, especially in hot regions, drivers worldwide need to know how to keep their battery life in good shape. In America, states like California, Florida, Texas, Arizona, and Georgia have the highest number of EVs, accounting for 56% of the country’s battery-powered cars, according to the Department of Energy. The good news is that there are measures to counteract the impact of high temperatures on EVs’ battery performance.
“Anywhere I can find shade in a hot Texas summer, I try to find it,” said Skyler Williams, an Austin-based entrepreneur who studied up on battery chemistry and maintenance before buying his Rivian R1S last August. “It doesn’t matter if I’m going to be in the grocery store for 10 minutes or two hours. Better safe than sorry.”
Williams has adopted some effective practices for maintaining his electric truck’s battery. He only charges at fast stations when necessary and keeps his truck plugged in when it’s parked in the garage. He also avoids charging the battery beyond 80% and uses Rivian’s app to control the windows remotely. Despite using the truck for almost a year, the battery’s range has not decreased, which is promising for its future resale value.
The importance of battery health in the electric vehicle market is rapidly increasing, and customers are now prioritizing it when making purchase decisions. According to Stephanie Valdez Streaty from Cox Automotive Inc., four out of five electric vehicle shoppers now consider battery longevity. As a response, her team is working on a unique scoring system to assess battery health.
“We’re still in heavy R&D [research and development] mode on this, but that’s the vision,” she said. “Having the option to buy a used EV is so important, and having transparency on battery health is going to be key.”
Recurrent is a company set on finding advanced solutions for evaluating electric vehicles. They use technology to gather battery performance data from over 17,000 EVs three times a day. By analyzing factors such as range, charge level, and mileage, they provide a comprehensive score for each vehicle. Their system even accounts for charging habits, giving them a holistic understanding of a car’s battery health.
For instance, an EV that has endured intense heat in Texas may receive a lower score compared to a similar model in a milder climate. On the other hand, a Texan driver who has taken excellent care of their EV could receive a higher Recurrent score than a comparable car in a cooler region that regularly pushes the battery to its limits.
“Manufacturers are competing on three axis: overall range, charging speed, and cost,” Case said. “They’ll be held accountable for a fourth axis, and that’s ‘How long will these things last?’”
California regulators are currently considering a proposal mandating a battery health assessment for every electric vehicle being sold. This is particularly relevant for dealerships in areas with hot climates, as there can be a significant difference between the actual range of the vehicle and the range certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Recurrent has found that many of its top customers are dealerships in these regions.
“EPA range certifications are wrong on day one because they don’t account for temperature variations,” Scott said. “This is a huge transition that everybody needs to see.”
Source: Transport Topics
