In the evolving world of electric vehicles, the longevity of a car’s battery is paramount. A recent study has shed light on how driving habits can significantly influence battery life, suggesting that driver behavior might be as crucial as charging practices.
Conducted by researchers at Shanghai Dianji University, the study examined data from 15 electric vehicles in Guangzhou over the course of 2022. The analysis revealed that the way a car is driven plays a significant role in battery aging, potentially outweighing other known factors.
The research, published in Scientific Reports, highlights the stark contrast between different driving styles. Aggressive driving, characterized by frequent high-current demands and sudden accelerations, was found to impose considerably more stress on batteries compared to smoother driving techniques.
Varied Battery Stress Levels on Same Roads
The study meticulously tracked various parameters every 10 seconds, including vehicle speed and battery metrics such as current and temperature. Utilizing machine-learning techniques, researchers categorized driving styles into five distinct types, ranging from eco-friendly to aggressive driving.
Interestingly, the stress on the battery was not purely a function of speed. High electrical demands during repeated low-speed accelerations were identified as particularly taxing on the battery, unlike steady high-speed cruising.
This distinction underscores the finding that different driving styles can result in vastly different levels of battery stress. The research team separated the impact of driving behavior from other factors affecting battery aging, like temperature and idling time.
The most aggressive driving style was found to cause an 18.4 times greater aging stress than the most economical style. This was attributed to the higher electrical current demanded by aggressive drivers, averaging 66.02 amps compared to 20.56 amps for eco-drivers.
Modeling suggested that switching from aggressive to eco-driving could reduce short-term battery stress by 91.3%, indicating the profound impact of driving behavior on battery health.
Potential Long-term Impacts
Using a battery-aging model, researchers predicted long-term capacity loss for each driving style. After 1,000 charge cycles, the smoothest driving style was expected to result in a 21.15% loss in capacity, whereas aggressive driving could lead to a 53.22% reduction.
This disparity, about 2.5 times more degradation, could significantly shorten the range and performance of an EV, affecting its resale value due to reduced battery capacity.
A Projection, Not Direct Measurement
It’s important to note that these figures are projections based on real-world data and a battery-aging model, not direct measurements. Actual battery degradation is influenced by numerous factors such as charging habits, climate, and vehicle-specific characteristics.
Despite this, the study consistently points to the conclusion that high electrical demands can accelerate battery aging. The key takeaway for EV owners is not necessarily to drive slowly but to adopt smoother driving practices to mitigate stress on the battery.
Ultimately, the study suggests that the longevity of an EV battery is influenced by more than just charging practices—it also depends on how the vehicle is driven every day.
Original Story at interestingengineering.com