Electric vehicles from companies like Tesla, Chevrolet and Nissan continue to grow in popularity. But if you’re considering one, an important question to consider is how to get the most from the battery that powers the car.
How long will it last? Which batteries are the best or most reliable? And how can you keep your car’s power source in tip-top shape? Tech expert Omar Gallaga wrote about EV batteries for Wired. He told Texas Standard that driving sensibly and keeping the battery charged are among the best ways to preserve the power source.
Highlights from this segment:
– Electric vehicle batteries are of two types: high nickel and nickel-free LFP. Tesla uses both kinds of batteries in its line of electric-powered cars. Nickel-free batteries are cheaper and last longer.
– Like smartphone batteries, overcharging or fully draining an EV’s battery is bad for the battery. Driving at high speeds can also be bad for batteries.
– Battery technology advances significantly every 30 years. Lithium-metal batteries are the next technology that will be important in EVs. They will offer longer range and lower costs.
