One of many ideas that undergo the thoughts of an EV proprietor has to do with the impression that DC quick charging could have on the car’s high-voltage battery in the long term. In different phrases, how a lot will the battery degrade over time if quick charging is used predominantly?

Effectively, in response to a latest examine from Recurring Auto that analyzed charging knowledge from over 12,500 Tesla autos in america, the speed of vary degradation is statistically related when in comparison with AC charging.

The corporate, which gives car and battery evaluation studies for EVs, in contrast automobiles that quick cost at the least 90 % of the time to automobiles that quick cost lower than 10 % of the time, and the outcomes present little to no distinction between the 2 charging strategies.

The charts beneath present the proportion of the unique vary as proven on the automobiles’ dashboards – on this case, the Tesla Mannequin 3 and Tesla Mannequin Y – and the variety of days.

Selecting between DC over AC isn’t the one factor that may have an effect on the battery in the long term, with elements comparable to excessive temperatures and really low or very excessive states of cost additionally taking part in an enormous function within the large scheme of issues.

Tesla Mannequin Y DC vs. AC charging battery degradation chart

Tesla Mannequin 3 DC vs. AC charging battery degradation chart

Nonetheless, as Recurrent’s outcomes present, the sturdy thermal, voltage, and battery administration methods that EV makers have invested in do shield their batteries from injury with routine quick charger use.

To assist the battery final so long as doable, utilizing the preconditioning characteristic is of utmost significance, each in excessive warmth and in excessive chilly, as this brings the cells to the optimum temperature earlier than plugging within the charging connector. One other tip is to keep away from quick charging at very low states or very excessive states of cost, as battery resistance is increased at these ranges and places further stress on the battery.

One other examine from 2020 discovered that battery-powered autos, together with EVs and PHEVs, encountered battery degradation anyplace from zero % to 4.1 % within the first yr, with the best-performing mannequin being the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV and the worst being the 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.