In fact, they work best at temperatures of between 20 and 25°C. The risk of overheating the battery is increased during the summer when you drive at higher speeds on long journeys. Beyond 45-50°C, the battery’s electronic components deteriorate more rapidly and a drop in charging performance is observed.
Charging a battery to its full capacity in cold conditions requires a higher voltage. It’s crucial that the charging voltage adapts to the surrounding temperature of the battery to not only guarantee a complete charge, but also to prevent the risk of overcharging when the temperatures are high.
As mentioned when we looked into the impact of cold weather on EV range, lithium-ion batteries don’t take kindly to extreme temperatures. In fact, they work best at temperatures of between 20 and 25°C. The risk of overheating the battery is increased during the summer when you drive at higher speeds on long journeys.
The efficiency of your battery’s charge and discharge cycles, its output capacity, and even its overall lifespan can be significantly influenced by the temperature. Whether it’s the sweltering heat of summer or the freezing cold of winter, each degree can make a difference. How do cold and heat affect my battery?
Beyond 45-50°C, the battery’s electronic components deteriorate more rapidly and a drop in charging performance is observed. Of course, the temperature range varies according to the EV model and the phenomenon will be more or less acute depending on the quality of your battery.
Batteries perform best at an ideal temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. When the temperature rises, batteries tend to lose charge more quickly due to increased self-discharge. On the other hand, cooler temperatures slow down this self-discharge process, but at the cost of reducing the battery’s output capacity.