For electric car drivers on the go, fast-charging stations can be a lifesaver especially when driving over a long distance, however recent studies have found that regular use of fast charging stations can cause damage to EV batteries and decrease their overall lifespan – but it’s not all bad news!

Read on to find out how fast charging works and how researchers are working on evolving the technology.

How fast charging works

Many electric car models are equipped for DC charging, although not all are. Direct current (DC) fast charging stations are designed to bring the battery of your EV up to 80 percent in around 30 minutes, although charging time varies depending on the model of your car and other factors, like weather conditions – charging can take longer in colder weather. Whilst many electric car owners will charge their cars at home, fast charging stations can be ultra-convenient, especially in countries like Australia where drivers may cover long distances. They can dramatically reduce charging time, allowing drivers to get around more easily and get on with their day.

Electrics cars come with a variety of different connectors configurations for fast charging stations, but the standard in Australia is the CHAdeMo connector. Whilst home charger use alternate current charging, fast charging stations feed straight direct current power to the car. When charging begins the battery is warmed up and the vehicle will begin to charge until it reaches about 80 percent, and then charging slows – this is known as the charging curve; however engineers from the University of California have found that this method of charging can potentially cause damage to your electric car.

Damaged batteries

Recently researchers have performed tests which reveal that fast-charging stations can cause battery cells to crack and leak, this is because batteries are exposed to high temperatures and resistance when fast charging.

The researchers performed tests by charging lithium-ion battery cells using the same technique as fast-charging stations, they also tested a new algorithm-protocol which monitors and accounts for the batteries internal resistance.

They discovered that high internal resistance in electric car batteries can cause major issues when charging and can cause the battery to become permanently damaged.

Reduced battery life

Researchers also discovered that the current fast charging process could kill the batteries after just 25 charging cycles when batteries were charged from zero to 100% – this is because electric car batteries are considered depleted when they can hold less than 80% of their original capacity.

The researchers found that batteries charged using their internal resistance charging method lasted up to 36 cycles.

Even worse for current commercial fast charging methods, after 60 charging cycles it was shown that battery cells would begin to crack exposing electrodes and electrolytes to the air – a potential fire hazard and exposure risk. The potential for explosion was accelerated by high battery temperatures above 60 degrees Celsius. The researcher’s new internal resistance charging method produced much lower temperatures and eliminated damage. The method could be used to improve the life of electric car batteries and would greatly improve their safety.

Whilst they’re working on a patent for the new algorithm, it’s a while away from being licensed and implemented, so what can you do in the meantime?

Protecting your EV battery

To protect your battery the researchers recommended keeping your use of commercial fast charging station to a minimum, recharging before your battery reaches zero and avoiding overcharging.

In reality, drivers have very little worry about, most people will not be visiting fast charging stations if their battery is at zero and many people won’t wait around to charge their EV battery until it’s completely full. In general the 80% rule is a good rule to live by if you want to protect your battery. Follow the charging curve and unplug your electric car when it reaches about 80% and charging slows down. After you reach 80% charging will slow down dramatically at fast charging stations and you’ll find that charging the final 20% can take as long as charging the first 80% of your battery! Unplugging once charging slows is more efficient and other EV drivers will appreciate it.

Even better charging methods are just around the corner but for now limiting your use of fast charging stations and being conscious of the way you use them will help to protect your battery and will ensure that it lasts much longer.Want to know more about EVs? Get in touch with the experts at Elite Holdings WA, we can answer all your questions or help you find a high quality electric car of your very own!