New electric vehicle battery chemistries and configurations are constantly under development, but a new study highlights the importance of testing them under realistic conditions.
Published in the journal Nature Energy by researchers from Stanford University and the Energy Department’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, and first spotted by Electrek, the study follows up on research into battery longevity—including a 2022 study from the same research team detailing a way to “revitalize” lithium-ion batteries by adjusting the charging protocol, potentially extending their useful life by nearly 30%.
Audi battery assembly at Brussels, Belgium, factory
The tests used for studies like this generally involve many cycles of charging and discharging at a constant rate. The assumption is that the number of cycles a battery experiences is the main factor in degradation, meaning this appears to be the most straightforward way to push battery cells to their limits.
But for this study researchers compared four discharge profiles, ranging from constant discharge to profiles meant to simulate real-world driving conditions, such as short bursts of acceleration. These were tested on 92 commercially-available lithium-ion batteries over two years.
Panasonic cylindrical EV battery cells
Researchers found that the profiles with more variation in the discharge rate helped batteries last longer—potentially by up to 38%. That insight could help with the design of more accurate tests for new batteries, and it could help guide rules for battery degradation should they be enacted.
The findings show that for EV owners, varied driving patterns might help maximize battery longevity, and that’s also encouraging. But there are other simple best practices to keep in mind for limiting battery degradation, including parking cars in the shade or in a garage when temperatures climb.
