Like gasoline-powered cars, electric vehicles require regular maintenance. However, electric vehicles are more expensive, so we pay more attention to maintaining their heart – the lithium-ion battery. The lithium-ion battery, like a fuel tank, provides the power source, and proper daily maintenance is essential to ensure its longevity. So, what are some maintenance methods and techniques?
Tip 1: Never store the item while it is powered off.
Lithium-ion batteries must never be stored in a discharged state. A discharged state refers to a battery that has not been charged promptly after use. Storing a battery in a discharged state easily leads to sulfation, where lead sulfate crystals adhere to the plates, blocking ion channels, causing insufficient charging, and reducing battery capacity. The longer the battery is left idle in a discharged state, the more severe the damage. Therefore, when a battery is not in use, it should be recharged once a month to better maintain its health.
Tip 2: Regular inspections
If an electric vehicle's driving range suddenly drops by more than ten kilometers in a short period of time, it is very likely that at least one battery in the battery pack has a short circuit, such as a broken cell, softened plates, or loss of active material from the plates. In this case, it is important to promptly take the battery to a professional battery repair shop for inspection, repair, or replacement. This can extend the battery pack's lifespan and save costs to the greatest extent possible.
Tip 3: Prevent high-current discharge
When starting, carrying passengers, or going uphill in an electric vehicle, please use pedal assistance to avoid sudden high-current discharge. High-current discharge can easily lead to lead sulfate crystallization, which can damage the physical properties of the lithium battery plates.
