Electric Nissan Care: Essential Tips for EV Battery Maintenance

For many drivers, the appeal of driving an electric vehicle is reduced fuel and maintenance costs. When you visit your Nissan dealer for Nissan EV maintenance, most of your vehicle maintenance will focus on battery and brake care to optimize the performance of your EV when you’re on the road. 

Essential Tips for Nissan EV Maintenance

Your Nissan’s electric drive battery is designed to last for several years, but following maintenance guidelines and EV battery best practices can ensure your battery has a long lifespan. You should schedule a routine battery check for your EV at least once a year, or at the same time as your brake and tire service appointments. Regular battery health checks will ensure your EV battery is holding charge and hasn’t been damaged. 

Don’t Overcharge the EV Battery

It may seem counterintuitive, but keeping your EV battery at 100% charge can reduce the lifespan of your battery. Overcharging an EV battery consistently will eventually limit the capacity of the battery, so it’s best to keep your battery charged between 20% and 80%. The advantage of capping your battery charge at 80% is that your EV will be able to use its regenerative braking system to the fullest to recharge your battery on the road.

Likewise, under-charging your battery or letting your battery sit at 0% for a long time can affect the lifespan of the battery. Even if you only use your EV occasionally, you should make sure the battery is charged to at least 20% to preserve the longevity of the battery and prevent damage. 

Use Slow Charging Methods

While Level 3 or DC Fast Charging is more convenient because it allows you to get back on the road more quickly, these fast-charging methods can be a detriment to your EV’s battery lifespan when used too frequently. Instead, it’s better for the long-term health of your car to use a Level 1 or a Level 2 charger at home. Fast charging should be an infrequent solution, such as when you are on a road trip. 

Avoid Aggressive Driving

Aggressive driving practices, like rapid acceleration, can be just as hard on an EV battery as it is on a combustion engine. Quick acceleration can push the motor too hard too fast, which can cause your battery to deplete more rapidly. On the other hand, when you drive more conservatively by easing into high speeds and cruising to stops, your vehicle’s regenerative braking system can better support the EV drive battery. 
Although EVs require far less maintenance than traditional combustion vehicles, several best practices can help your EV enjoy a long battery lifespan. Book a service appointment at Coughlin Nissan of Heath in Heath, OH. 

Tags: Car Battery Tips, Coughlin Nissan, Electric Vehicle Maintenance Tips, EV Car Battery Tips, Maintenance Tips, Nissan services
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