Factors affecting the life cycle of a battery

Key Takeaways

• Charge Regularly: Aim to charge your e-bike battery after each ride to maintain optimal health.

• Optimal Charge Range: Keep the battery charge between 20% and 85%.

• Avoid Overcharging: Use the manufacturer’s charger and unplug once fully charged.

• Proper Storage: Store the battery at around 50% charge if not in use for extended periods.

• Temperature Awareness: Charge within the recommended temperature range to ensure safety and longevity.

What affects battery life cycle?

Temperature

Temperature can have a huge effect on the cycle life of a battery, as it affects the chemical reactions taking place within. The optimum temperature for a battery is 25°C. Should the battery experience temperatures higher or lower than this figure, it can suffer from capacity loss.

Extreme temperatures, especially cold, can increase the internal resistance of the battery, which affects its ability to deliver power efficiently. In hot conditions, the battery’s electrolyte may degrade faster, leading to a loss in capacity. Always store and charge your e-bike battery within the recommended temperature range to preserve its performance over time.

Currents

How we move onto the currents. Quite simply, higher currents usually cause more heat to be generated and more stress on the battery, so it won’t surprise you to read that this can have a negative effect on the life cycle of a battery.

High currents are typically experienced during rapid acceleration or heavy loads, which increases the rate of heat buildup inside the battery. Over time, excessive heat can damage the internal components and reduce the overall lifespan of the battery.

To mitigate this, it’s important to avoid rapid starts and heavy use in extreme conditions where the battery might be forced to deliver high currents continuously.

DoD/Voltage window

It is not recommended to charge batteries from 0% SoC to 100% SoC, as this will adversely affect the cycle life. Instead, batteries should be charged from something like 20% to 80%. This can be done by the user, or alternatively, the manufacturer of the BMS can build this feature into their product.

By operating within a narrower voltage window, the battery undergoes less stress, resulting in longer charge cycles. This is especially important for e-bike batteries, where frequent cycling can cause gradual capacity loss if the battery is consistently charged to 100% or drained to 0%.

Many modern e-bike systems now feature built-in features to limit the charge cycle within this optimal range automatically, reducing the need for manual monitoring.

Battery age

This age of a battery also affects life cycle. Older batteries can have a shorter cycle life due to self-discharge and parasitic reactions. This means that batteries stored for a long time before being used will have a lower cycle life.

As batteries age, their internal components can degrade, leading to reduced charge retention, slower charging times, and less efficient power delivery. Regular use and proper charging can slow down this process, but eventually, all batteries reach the point where replacement becomes necessary.

Keeping your battery at a partial charge when not in use and ensuring it is charged regularly can slow the aging process.

End of life threshold

The End of Life threshold is set by the manufacturer and is usually somewhere around 60-80% of initial capacity. If one producer defines the EoL as 70%, it will probably have a higher life cycle than if it had been defined as 80%.

The End of Life (EoL) threshold represents the point at which a battery is considered no longer efficient enough for its intended purpose, although it can still be functional for less demanding tasks.

It is not always the case that the battery needs to be replaced when it reaches its EoL. It can continue to be used, but will have limited performance, which will further deteriorate over time. On the other hand, batteries can fail earlier than expected, especially if misused, mechanically stressed, or stored outside their recommended conditions.

Once the battery reaches its EoL, it will start losing its ability to hold a charge, and the e-bike’s range will decrease. At this point, it’s crucial to monitor the battery’s performance regularly and plan for a replacement to maintain optimal performance.

Check also what are the best batteries for power tools.

FAQ: When to Charge Your E-Bike Battery

When should I charge my e-bike battery?

It’s advisable to charge your e-bike battery after each ride, unless the battery was used for a very short period. Maintaining the charge between 20% and 85% is optimal for battery health. Avoid letting it drop below 20% or fully deplete, as this can shorten its lifespan. Source: EMBS

Is it safe to overcharge an e-bike battery?

Modern e-bike batteries are designed with safety mechanisms to prevent overcharging. Using the manufacturer’s recommended charger and unplugging it once fully charged ensures safety and prolongs battery life. Source: EMBS

How should I store my e-bike battery when not in use?

Store your e-bike battery in a cool, dry place. If not using the bike for an extended period, keep the battery charge around 50% and avoid letting it discharge completely. This helps maintain battery health during storage. Source: EMBS

Can I use any charger for my e-bike battery?

It’s recommended to use the charger provided by the manufacturer. Third-party chargers may not match your battery’s specifications and could lead to overcharging or other issues. Source: EMBS

What temperature is best for charging my e-bike battery?

Charge your e-bike battery in a temperature range of 0°C to 45°C. Avoid charging in extremely hot or cold conditions, as this can affect battery performance and safety. Source: EMBS

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Sources

Sullivan, J. L., & Gaines, L. (2010). A review of battery life-cycle analysis: state of knowledge and critical needs. https://publications.anl.gov/anlpubs/2010/11/68455.pdf

Sullivan, J. L., & Gaines, L. (2012). Status of life cycle inventories for batteries. Energy conversion and Management, 58, 134-148.

Porzio, J., & Scown, C. D. (2021). Life‐cycle assessment considerations for batteries and battery materials. Advanced Energy Materials, 11(33), 2100771. https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1002/aenm.202100771

Gaines, L., Sullivan, J., Burnham, A., & Belharouak, I. (2011, January). Life-cycle analysis for lithium-ion battery production and recycling. In Transportation Research Board 90th Annual Meeting, Washington, DC (pp. 23-27).