Due to the design of their motors, EV engines are much less complex than their diesel-fueled counterparts. Despite that, Ev’s high-voltage batteries create several concerns in the minds of car owners. One of the common concerns is: do electric cars stop charging when they’re full?
Electric cars stop charging once the battery is full. EV manufacturers install multiple safeguards to prevent the vehicle from overcharging, which protects them from overheating. These safeguards ensure that the charging will stop once the battery reaches 100%.
An EV’s battery is its most important and costly component. Therefore, it’s best to follow certain safety measures to ensure that it lasts for a long time. In this guide, we’ll discuss some of the most common concerns by EV owners regarding their car’s battery.
Why Overcharging An EV Isn’t Possible
Overcharging a battery can often cause it to overheat. In the worst-case scenario, an overcharged battery can lead to a battery fire. The good news, however, is that you cannot overcharge an EV battery.
EV manufacturers understand the importance of safety in an electric car’s battery. As a result, nearly all EV manufacturers feature system relays and install safeguards to protect the EV’s battery from overcharging. Therefore, you shouldn’t be concerned about overcharging your vehicle as an EV owner.
The Battery Management System (BMS)
EV manufacturers also want to develop their reputation as safety-first companies. That is why they all equip their cars with a battery management system (BMS) to prevent the battery from overheating.
BMS is responsible for much more than just preventing overcharging. It monitors the charge and discharge levels, balances the battery cells, keeps track of cell health, and prevents it from wearing out quickly. BMS manages these functions by keeping track of the temperature, voltage, and energy.
Extensive Full Charge Effect On An EV
As previously stated, you cannot overcharge your EV due to the built-in Battery Management System. However, plugging in your EVs for charging even when the battery is full will negatively impact its health. If the battery is kept plugged in for more than 8 hours at full charge, it may begin to deteriorate somewhat quicker.
Even with moderate usage, battery deterioration is anticipated, eventually lowering the EV’s range. Most EVs lose roughly 2.3% of range each year on average. This amount, however, should not cause concern since most EV batteries are expected to surpass the valuable life of the EV itself.
Leaving An EV Plugged In Overnight
You can leave your EV plugged in overnight, as there is no risk of overcharging due to the built-in battery management system. The charging process is slowed once the battery is full, and BMS switches to trickle charging instead. Trickle charging charges the battery periodically until the charging cable is removed, allowing EV owners to find a fully-charged EV once they wake up in the morning.
With that being said, if the battery is fully charged, don’t plug it in to charge overnight; otherwise, you will damage the battery.
How To Prolong The Life Of An EV Battery
Numerous ways allow you to prolong the life of your electric car’s battery. Some of these include storing the car in a cool location and limiting the use of fast chargers.
Reduce Exposure To Hot Temperatures
Hot temperatures are something that lithium-ion batteries detest. When the temperature rises beyond 40 degrees, there is a slight but permanent loss of overall battery life. With that being said, you don’t have to worry, most EVs come with a pre-installed automatic temperature management system that drains the batteries unnecessarily to maintain maximum performance.
However, this loss in battery life is relatively small and usually nothing to worry about. Nonetheless, like with any vehicle, we suggest keeping the EV in a location protected from the sun and high temperatures.
Limit The Use Of Fast Chargers
It goes without saying: if your EV’s batteries are about to die, using a Level 3 fast charger is a huge time saver. However, there’s also a catch. Using fast chargers powers a large amount of current into your EV’s battery in a short period, which depletes your car’s battery quicker.
While it is difficult to notice the deterioration, eight years of regular charging will extend your battery’s life by 10% more than a fast charger. Plus, as you approach 100%, the charging speed might reduce to the point where there is no benefit to utilizing a fast charger.
With that in mind, you’re best off avoiding fast charging unless you absolutely need to recharge as quickly as possible.
Keep Battery Between 20% to 80%
As an EV owner, you should try maintaining the battery level between 20% and 80%. Allowing the battery to completely dry out or charging it to the brim will eventually deteriorate your car’s battery health.
While scientifically, 50% is the ideal point to maintain your charge, it isn’t practically possible. Therefore, the next smartest idea is to locate a mid-range and avoid your battery level from falling too low or going too high.
FAQs
Q) Do EVs Come With Battery Warranties?
Yes. Nearly all electric vehicles produced by renowned manufacturers have battery warranties. On average, these warranties cover around five years, although some companies provide a warranty for ten years.
Q) How Long Does An EV’s Battery Last?
Most EV batteries tend to last around ten years. However, depending on the manufacturer and constant maintenance, an EV battery can even last up to 20 years.
Q) How Much Does It Cost To Replace An EV’s Battery?
The price for an EV battery replacement can be anywhere around $2,500 to $20,000. However, if you have a warranty, you can get a replacement battery free from your manufacturer.
Conclusion
BMS prevents overcharging in your vehicle so that you can plug in your vehicle every night and be sure that it won’t be a smoking disaster in the morning. So yes, the charging will eventually stop once it reaches 100% and won’t significantly damage your EV as long as you take proper care of it.
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