Car Tips and Tricks
Electric car battery: easy maintenance
Better than a monthly subscription car hire? Only easy maintenance when it comes to an electric car battery. Are you one of those who are putting off switching to sustainable driving because you're still not 100 per cent clear? We'll give you a hand. But first, explore our varied range of cars to hire.
Moving towards Eco mobility. Find out all about the electric car battery
Now that you've chosen your next car, let's discover what the electric car battery is all about. For many, it's still a mystery; for others, it's something to be wary of. But are electric cars really that complex? Of course not, but you already knew that deep down, didn't you?
Let's start with the most important part of these cars. The battery in electric cars is like the heart of the vehicle. In a nutshell, it serves to provide the car with energy.
It's made up of several lithium-ion cells and with the right care, we can extend its useful life. And as with other cars, careful maintenance will save you a lot of money that you would otherwise spend unnecessarily.
Have we got your attention? Then take note of all the steps that will help ensure that the batteries in the electric cars that will still be in your hands live for many years to come.
Charge regularly and properly
First step: prevent the electric car battery from being completely discharged. Just like your mobile phone, we need your car to always have energy, but not 8 or 80. It's advisable to keep the charge between 20% and 80% to optimise battery life. Opt for frequent charges rather than sporadic ones and, if possible, long ones rather than favouring quick charges. But we'll get to that.
Choose the right charging station
Electric car batteries can vary, and with them their chargers. It's all about power and the more powerful the charger you use, the more it costs. This can be avoided if you know how to choose the right charging station. Always opt for chargers that match your car's maximum charging speed. For example, if your tram can handle up to 6.6 kW in alternating current, avoid using chargers above 7.4 kW. This will ensure greater efficiency and savings.
Use quality chargers
Cheap can be expensive, so we advise you to always use the chargers recommended by the manufacturer. The main reason for this is the damage that low-quality chargers can cause to an electric car battery. That's why with us, you'll always receive a certified, high-quality charger when you select your car from the Xtracars electric fleet.
Avoid fast charging
We know that waiting a short time for an electric car battery to charge can be tempting. But imagine being hit by a sudden, full throttle electric charge: you'd be stunned, wouldn't you? The same will happen with your car battery. Using the fast chargers that are available should only be an option in case of great need and on an occasional basis. In around 30 minutes you can reach up to 80% charge, which will allow you to continue your journey, but as soon as you can, favour normal chargers.
An Electric car battery appreciates all the care you take with it
Electric cars can be sensitive to the heat, just as we are when it's 40 degrees outside and there's no shade around. They may not get scalded, but they'll appreciate all the protection you can give them. So, choose to:
- Park in suitable places: the battery in electric cars doesn't appreciate extreme temperatures. Whenever possible, park your car in a garage or covered area, protected from extreme heat and cold.
- Use temperature control systems: many electric cars come equipped with thermal management systems to keep the battery at the ideal temperature. Make sure they're working properly and have them serviced regularly, following the manufacturer's recommendations.
Eco-cars are not a puzzle, no matter how much some people paint them that way. But you'll realise that as soon as you get behind the wheel of one. This type of car allows you to make far greater savings than a combustion engine.
Firstly, electric cars have fewer loose components, so they have less to maintain. And the components that do exist are far less complex than those in a normal car. In other words, you automatically save on garage visits. But as with everything, this depends on the type of driving you do.
Drive efficiently
- Avoid harsh acceleration and braking: drive smoothly and steadily. This will help preserve the battery, which is what matters. Hard acceleration and braking not only consume more energy, but also generate heat, which this component doesn't like very much.
- Use Eco Mode: Most electric cars have an economic driving mode (Eco Mode), which optimises energy use. Whenever possible, use this mode to maximise battery efficiency (and save money).
Don't put the garage on hold
- Software updates: opting for a car that is the future but not updating the best of the technology that comes with it is a mistake. Software updates only take a few minutes and guarantee better efficiency and battery management.
- Battery checks: an electric car battery should be checked regularly. It's the same as a routine check-up, just to make sure everything is OK. It's important to check the health of the battery to ensure that there is no damage or problems that could jeopardise its performance.
Electric car in the garage for too long? Don't do it.
Do you know when a combustion car is idling for a long time and the battery discharges? Something similar happens with an electric car battery. If you're not planning to start the car any time soon, try to leave the battery at around 50 per cent charge. Fully charged or completely discharged batteries can degrade more quickly.
So, is an electric car battery complicated? No.
Taking care of your electric car battery is essential to ensure a longer life and better performance. If you follow Xtracars' tips, you can get more out of your electric vehicle, contributing to a more sustainable future and saving money on battery maintenance and replacement.
And if you need help, you can always count on us to support you in adopting good driving and maintenance practices that benefit both your vehicle and the environment. Take the opportunity to travel more with our monthly subscription car rental, with maximum protection, or as they say, with the ‘Premium Pack’ complementary product, which guarantees your car without having to pay an excess.
