Electric vehicles (EVs) have revolutionized the automotive industry, indeed! EVs offer eco-friendliness and efficiency, but with the increased global adoption of EVs, it is important to understand what happens when an EV battery dies because it is one of the important components of the model. In this blog, I am going to cover different aspects of electric vehicle battery failure and, most importantly, how you can determine such issues early.

What Happens When EV Battery Dies

Without wasting time, let’s dive into the main reasons for EV battery issues.

Want to Know 4 Reasons for Electric Vehicle Battery Failure?

Generally, EV batteries are long-lasting; if you invest in a non-branded e-bike or e-car, you will face such issues more often because manufacturers cut costs by providing low-quality components. Here I am writing the most common causes of battery failure in EVs:

Age of the EV Battery

Like all batteries, EV batteries have a limited lifespan. Depending on the brand and model of the EV, the battery lasts anywhere from 8 to 15 years.

Overcharging of Battery

Overcharging the battery leads to overheating and degrading the battery faster. You cannot identify the damage from the outside, but overheating causes irreversible damage to the battery cells.

Undercharging of EV Batteries

If the battery is not charged regularly or left completely discharged for a long time, it causes the battery’s cells to deteriorate. That is why whether you are using an EV for a primary or secondary car, you should drive it at least twice a week and use a battery maintainer to keep the battery in an optimum state.

Extreme Temperatures and Weather

Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, cause the battery’s cells to degrade faster. Sometimes the battery cannot recharge properly. Many reputed brands are facing such an issue in their EV car models.

Find These Early Symptoms of Dying EV Batteries

Are you worried about battery degradation? As the battery starts to deteriorate, it will show signs, which you can easily identify if you read this segment. Some of the common symptoms of dying batteries are:

Reduced Range of Your Favorite EV Car

As the battery starts to degrade, it will lose its capacity to hold a charge. It means you will get a lower range of your car with a single charge.

Slower Charging and Quick Discharge

As the battery degrades, it will take longer to charge. Generally, in such a case, battery cells reduce their capacity over time, so they charge slowly and discharge quickly.

Overheating of EV Batteries

A dying battery produces more heat than a new battery because the chemical reactions in the battery are not as efficient as they used to be.

Warning Lights

Do your EV batteries have warning lights? Most EVs have warning lights that indicate there is a problem with the batteries or other components of the EV.

What Happens When an EV Battery Dies?

When an EV battery dies, the vehicle will stop working. However, it is not that simple; the battery degrades over time, and you can easily identify the performance is degrading before the battery completely dies.

If the battery dies while you are driving the car, your car will start to slow down and stop. The electric motor requires a power source to run, and without the battery, the motor does not get the power supply to run the car.

However, the situation can be more challenging if the battery dies while the vehicle is parked. In such a case, your EV will not start, and you need to recharge the battery or need a replacement.

Generally, an EV battery does not die all of a sudden. First, it deteriorates, then the capacity to hold the charge drops. You can easily replace the battery when you find the above symptoms.

What to Do When EV Batteries Die?

Indeed, recharging the batteries or replacement are the options. Generally, most electric vehicles run on more than one battery, so if one battery dies, you can still drive the car (at a lower speed and performance) to the nearest repair shop. In such a situation, you can take the following steps:

Check the Battery

Before assuming that the battery is dead, check the battery’s charge level. Sometimes, the battery may not be completely dead, and it may still have some charge left.

Try to Charge the Battery

If the battery is not completely dead, try to recharge it. You can use a portable charging unit or tow the vehicle to a charging station.

Contact a Repair Shop

If the battery is completely dead, you need to contact a repair shop. They can determine the problem and repair the battery if necessary.

Replace the Battery

If the battery is beyond repair, you will need to replace it. Indeed, it can be expensive! However, it is necessary to get the vehicle back up and running.

How to Prevent EV Car Battery Failure?

Battery failure is inevitable because EV batteries often come with a lifespan of 5-10 years. Read the following suggestions to prevent it from happening before the battery’s usual lifespan. Here are some tips to help you extend the life of your EV battery:

Avoid Extreme Temperatures

Do you know that both extreme hot and cold temperatures deteriorate battery performance? Such extreme temperatures are barriers to battery recharging. If your EV battery cannot get recharged properly, how can you use them?

That is why experts suggest parking electric vehicles under a shade to avoid such issues. In your residential or commercial premises, always use a garage to protect your favorite electric vehicle from extreme temperatures.

Charge the Battery Regularly

Do not forget to charge the EV batteries regularly, even if you are not using the vehicle. It prevents the battery from deteriorating due to undercharging. It is essential to extend the lifespan of rechargeable batteries.

Avoid Overcharging

Overcharging the battery leads to many issues, such as battery cell damage and overheating. Use a battery maintainer to keep the EV batteries at an optimum level (50%-80%), or set a timer to avoid overcharging.

Want to Learn More?

Now you have learned most of the basic things regarding potential battery degradation in your electric vehicle. In short:

  • you have to check the battery performance
  • identify the early signs
  • and consider a battery replacement to get a comfortable and smooth driving experience with your electric vehicle.

Is there something I have missed in this post? Please comment below.

Do you want to learn more about the use, benefits, and different features of electric vehicles? Please read my other posts too:

Does an Electric Car Lose Charge when Parked?

Is It Better to Buy Petrol or Electric Car?

Are Electric Cars Better than Normal Cars?

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