The charging curve of an electric car describes how the charging rate varies over time as the battery stores energy. The battery does not absorb energy evenly throughout the charging process; in fact, the speed is affected by both the instantaneous power delivered by the charging column and the maximum power that the battery itself can absorb-as well as, to a lesser extent, the temperature.
Let us imagine that we need to fill a glass of water to the brim without overflowing it: we will probably quickly fill the glass to three-quarters full, and then carefully dose the water flow rate as we approach the rim.
The charging process works similarly: energy accumulates more rapidly in the first stage, when the battery is almost empty, and gradually slows down as we approach 100%. This behavior becomes particularly evident when the charge exceeds 80%: at this point, the charging rate decreases significantly to prevent overheating and thus potential battery deterioration. This approach is essential to prolong the life of the battery itself.
Electric car operating systems employ several strategies to intelligently manage the charging process and preserve the battery:
– Temperature control: thermal management is essential to avoid overheating that can impair the battery’s primary functions. Advanced monitoring systems constantly analyze temperature during charging, triggering cooling or heating mechanisms to maintain optimal conditions.
– Charging speed modulation: As mentioned earlier, the charging speed is modulated to be faster at the beginning and slower toward the end. This helps preserve the battery and improves the overall efficiency of the charging process.
– Optimization algorithms: dedicated software analyzes the state of the battery and optimizes the charging flow, ensuring that each battery cell receives the correct amount of power.
Battery health and longevity also depend on the habits of e-drivers. To optimize efficiency and extend the life of your electric car battery, it is helpful to follow some practical tips:
– Monitor the state of the battery: it is advisable to keep the battery charge level between 20 percent and 80 percent, avoiding reaching 100 percent with each recharge. This will reduce stress on the battery cells.
– Vary the charging modes: ultra-rapid charging, such as that offered by the Ewiva network, is the ideal solution for topping up at maximum speed; however, it is advisable to recharge your car according to your needs, choosing other charging modes, such as slow charging, according to your needs and use cases.
– Pay attention to extreme temperatures: charging in extreme weather conditions, whether hot or cold, negatively affects both the charging process and the health of the battery. In such cases, it is important to choose the most suitable time of day to recharge, thus preserving the car from adverse weather conditions.
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