You risk damaging your e-battery car’s if you charge it wrongly in the winter. We explain what to watch out for throughout the winter months. The outside temperature has an effect on the range of electric automobiles, as we already know. The range of electric vehicles decreases as soon as the cold season arrives.
The winter problem, on the other hand, begins with charging, particularly quick charging. Even at temperatures below 20 degrees Celsius, the electrochemical activities in the cells slow down, and the electrical internal resistance rises. Anyone who continues to inject large currents into the battery at a rapid rate risks causing irreversible harm.
Charging a battery, broken down to the cell level, implies that ions travel from the cathode to the anode and dock there on the graphite shell. The ions move more slowly than usual if the battery is below an optimal temperature window.
Ion collisions can occur when a rapid charging station presses in with full power, resulting in metallic lithium deposits on the anode. This inhibits the ions from docking in the future, causing the battery’s performance, or KApacity, and hence its range, to deteriorate. However, there are a few easy solutions that might help you avoid the issue.
Warmth is required for the battery.
Because the battery is brought up to temperature before the required charging period, everyone with a heat pump in their e-car has the best ability to arrange charging operations. Even immediately before charging, driving a longer stage with a high demand for power (e.g. on the highway or on a rural road) gets the battery into the proper range.
Intelligent thermal management distributes heat fluxes between the powertrain, high-voltage battery, and the interior in the ideal situation.
If you want to be extra cautious, turn off the air conditioning and heating in the vehicle’s interior during the first 10 minutes of the charging procedure.
The vehicle may then feed the battery with the available heating power. When the temperature is low, several manufacturers have already set their electric cars such that the current is limited throughout the charging process. This avoids harm but leaves you tethered to the charging station for a longer period of time.
If you are charging in a chilly environment, make sure the e-car battery is warmed.
Even if your car’s battery is fully charged, you should leave it plugged in on your home’s wallbox during the winter.
The intended departure time in most current e-cars may be set in through app or onboard system, and this is frequently done with a weekly schedule across multiple days.
This is appropriate for frequent commuting to work, for example. If you leave the Stromer on the wallbox, it will utilize the mains electricity to pre-heat the battery and the cabin, allowing you to start in the ideal range of the battery and avoid having to squeeze any power out of the cells to heat the cockpit.
The range, logically, benefits from this. In any event, the modest currents of an AC charger (such as a wallbox) are simpler for the battery to absorb. It returns the favor with less power loss and a longer lifespan.
It’s best to never be entirely full or completely empty.
If you mostly drive short distances, you should charge the battery to a maximum of 80% capacity; this is the ideal method to preserve its capacity for longer ranges and extend its service life.
The high-voltage battery, on the other hand, does not appreciate persistent deep discharge, which occurs when the state of charge falls below 20% and remains there for an extended period of time. The same may be said for a fully charged battery. You may charge up to 100% if you frequently travel large distances, but you should start driving straight away.
If the electric car has been parked for more than twelve hours in the cold, it is advisable to keep the charge level between 40 and 80 percent. Many e-cars and wall boxes can be programmed in this way, making battery conservation a breeze.
Fast charging should be avoided as much as possible, especially in the cold, by those who can plan their visits wisely. If quick charging is necessary, make sure the battery is warmed up beforehand, either using a heat pump or by taking a lengthy trip. Otherwise, there is a possibility of long-term performance degradation. It’s preferable to maintain your home wallbox’s battery charged between 40 and 80 percent, especially during the winter.
Keyword: Batteries in Cold: How to Charge e-cars in Winter