As EVs get older, the batteries progressively degrade. It is expected that at around 75% of the battery’s original capacity, it has reached the end of its life in an EV. In reality what this means is that if the car was sold with 400 km driving range, at the end of its useful life it could be down to around 300 km.

Despite potentially no longer being as useful in an EV, at the end of life in a vehicle the batteries still store significant amounts of energy. As a result, several companies are already taking used EV batteries and converting them into stationary storage to power homes, buildings and the wider electricity grid. It’s expected these used EV batteries could last up to another 10 years for these use cases.

Once an EV battery has lost a significant proportion of its original energy capacity, it can then be recycled into materials used to build new batteries. The efficiency of this recycling process continues to improve, with the possibility of having almost a closed loop in the future where batteries are fully recycled and remanufactured into new batteries.

The European Union has set a target of recycling 70% of lithium-ion batteries by 2030. Similarly, the US has a number of policies to promote the recycling of end-of-life batteries. As the EV industry continues to grow, more policies around reuse and repurposing are likely to be established by governments to ensure the ongoing sustainability of EV batteries.

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Generally speaking, if left parked, an EV may lose a small percentage of charge each month, however, this is unlikely to have any major impact on the driving range. If EV owners are planning on leaving their car for an extended period of time, they should refer to their vehicle’s manual to understand the manufacturer’s specific recommendations, including whether to leave their vehicle plugged in.

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After around 15 years the battery will still function but may only have around 75% of its original capacity, meaning ~75% of the original driving range. While this is likely still suitable for many owners, at this stage there are likely other general components of the vehicle that may need replacement/refurbishment e.g. suspension, similar to a 15-year-old petrol or diesel vehicle. Some EV owners may choose to replace the battery, and other general components, to extend the life of the vehicle.

The exciting thing about EV batteries is that even after 15 years of use in a vehicle, they can be removed and find a “second-life” powering homes, buildings and the grid. This is because these batteries will still hold significant amounts of energy – enough to power several houses. It also means the EV owner will be able to sell these used EV batteries for use in other applications, helping to reduce the cost of a new battery for their EV, or the purchase of a new EV.

EV batteries are expected to last another 10 or so years in second-life applications, after which they can then be largely recycled, with the captured materials being used to manufacture brand-new batteries. Research is ongoing to maximise the recovery of materials from recycled batteries, but already well over 90% of recycled battery material can be used. Eventually, it is expected a closed loop will be established, as part of a circular economy, where the batteries can be fully recycled into new batteries and other components.

Given the small number of EVs currently on Australian roads and their long lifetimes, there is not currently a significant number of used batteries for second-life applications and/or recycling. As the local fleet increases, this economic development opportunity for our country will likely emerge. This is expected to take place during the mid to late 2030s.

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The latest ABS data shows that the average Australian drives 38 kilometres per day. This means that an EV owner can go for at least 10 days without a recharge. Unlike petrol cars, EVs can recharge at home (with off-street parking) or anywhere with access to electricity. As a result, most EVs top-up charge their EV every day due to the convenience.

It’s important to note that, like all fuel types, vehicle range can be affected by factors including terrain, speed, weather, driving habits and accessory use amongst other things. Therefore, it is important to plan ahead to ensure there is charging infrastructure available for longer trips.

See our latest State of EVs Report or Available EVs page to see all available EV models on the Australian market and their specifications.

The post How far can electric vehicles go on a single charge? first appeared on Electric Vehicle Council.

Studies of real-world EV usage to date suggests that fast-charging an EV can have a greater impact on battery life if the vehicle is not equipped with an active thermal management system. Most new EVs are equipped with active thermal management of the battery (heating/cooling), and as a result, fast charging is expected to have a relatively small impact on usable battery life for normal driving. The exception to this could be high mileage vehicles that are fast-charged multiple times, day after day; where it is reasonable to expect a higher wear on the battery; similar to how conventional vehicles used for these purposes experience higher wear on combustion engines and other components.

Given every different EV has different batteries, it is important to check with the manufacturer what their recommendations are for charging.

You can read more on real-world battery degradation here.

The post Are fast chargers harmful to an EV’s battery? first appeared on Electric Vehicle Council.

The rate of degradation over the battery’s life can be influenced by a range of factors including battery chemistry, temperature, driving behaviour and charging patterns. Just like all devices, the harder a battery works, the quicker it will degrade. That said, EV batteries continue to improve and are becoming more and more robust.

The post Do electric vehicle batteries degrade over time? first appeared on Electric Vehicle Council.

Unlike conventional vehicles, EVs deliver full torque instantly, meaning they can accelerate much faster than equivalent combustion engine vehicles. EVs also often have their batteries placed along the bottom of the vehicle, lowering the centre of gravity and providing better handling and cornering. EVs are much quieter than petrol vehicles and the electric motor produces minimal noise when compared to a combustion engine vehicle.

Different driving habits, lifestyles and the availability of charging infrastructure in a specific area can influence the suitability and performance of EVs compared to petrol vehicles. However, as the technology continues to advance, EVs are becoming a more suitable portion for many drivers seeking an efficient, environmentally friendly and high-performance vehicle.

The post How do EVs perform compared to petrol vehicles? first appeared on Electric Vehicle Council.

In very cold weather (generally below freezing), the vehicle may need to use energy to heat the battery cells and this can reduce the vehicle’s driving range. That said, many EVs available today include technology that can collect heat from other parts of the vehicle during driving e.g. the electric motors, and use this heat to raise the temperature of the battery cells. Norway has a much colder climate than Australia, but currently leads the world with over 90% new cars being EVs. Clearly, EVs can perform well in cold conditions, but likely just will not drive as far as in warmer regions.

In very hot weather (~40 C), EV batteries can experience accelerated degradation. The extreme heat can cause battery systems to overheat which may damage cells and reduce the battery’s lifespan. Most new EVs have active thermal management systems that help to cool the battery cells and prolong battery life. This cooling uses additional energy which, in turn, can reduce driving range.

The post How does extreme weather affect EV battery performance? first appeared on Electric Vehicle Council.

EV drivers should consider the range of their vehicles, the availability of local charging infrastructure and the terrain of the overall journey to have the best driving experience when driving in hilly areas.

The post Can electric vehicles perform well in hilly or mountainous regions? first appeared on Electric Vehicle Council.