The majority of electric vehicles of EVs make use of lithium ion batteries. These batteries automatically degrade over hundreds of usage. These batteries are also quite different from the traditional batteries used in cars and automobiles. It is important to remember in this context that any EV fully depends on its battery to get from A to B instead of fuel as in conventional automobiles. But you can be rest assured that the batteries used in electric vehicles are quite long lasting. EV batteries easily last over ten years when timeline is concerned. On the other hand when distance is concerned, they easily provide you with a mileage of 100,000 miles although reports convey in reality the batteries last you almost twice that distance.
However the mileage of the batteries is affected by several factors like overcharging a battery, using the minimum capacity of the battery and extreme temperatures, etc. although degradation of the battery will not affect the performance of your EV but it is likely to reduce the range in course of time.
Different types of batteries for automobiles
There is a wide variation in size and type when automobile batteries are concerned. This range of products does not fit the one size fits all approach say experts. The traditional variety is the lead acid one which still can be seen in a large number of cars and vehicles. However different types of cars coming up these days have different battery requirements other than the lead acid one. Let us go through different types of batteries for automobiles that are available these days in the following section of this post.
Lead acid batteries – it is already mentioned above that earlier versions of automobiles mostly relied on lead acid batteries. These are the oldest type of batteries and also the commonest ones which are rechargeable. These batteries are easy to replace and are quite long lasting.
Calcium batteries – this range of car batteries is a derivative of the lead acid ones mentioned above. Also called “wet lead acid” battery this product offers little more starting power and durability compared to the other. However these ones require regular usage to provide you with all the benefits in the long run. The product also possesses a good shelf life and more importantly it comes with zero maintenance.
Yuasa silver batteries – The range of batteries is required in high performance vehicles. These are basically top end calcium batteries. Compared to ordinary batteries for automobiles, it offers an additional 33% starting power along with 5 years long guarantee and 50,000 starts.
AGM batteries – These are a versatile range of batteries and are perfectly designed to handle the high demands of modern automobile vehicles. On the flip side these are costlier than other varieties available in the market. The AGM batteries unlike their wet lead acid counterparts have no fluid inside. In other words this means these are free from leakage and spillage. These batteries are free of maintenance and last longer compared to wet batteries. An AGM car battery also has a longer cycle life. Even in lower states of charge the range of batteries provides excellent starting power and recharge also takes place much faster. Conventional batteries meant for automobiles cannot handle demands of high power that vehicles with automatic start and stop systems require. AGM batteries best suite this purpose.
EFB batteries – EFB batteries are quite similar to the AGM batteries when features and qualities are concerned. These batteries charge very fast between starts and last much longer compared to the standard ones under wet category. These are in fact an optimised version of wet batteries and are suitable for vehicles that have simple start stop technology. This range of products is widely used as a cost effective alternative to AGMs. EFB batteries also fit the bill as an upgrade from traditional lead acid batteries.
Charging a car battery
The first thing to say about charging any car battery is you should always charge it properly so that the battery stays in sound condition longer explain professionals who deal with car battery replacement in London. The rest of the tips are as following –
Check the type of battery your vehicle has. If your vehicle has Start and Stop technology then probably your vehicle has an EFB or an AGM battery. Accordingly a conventional charger is not sufficient for your vehicle either and it may need a smart charger. If in case you are in doubt about this then it is better to consult experts before making any move.
Look at the points of contact – the lead terminals and the clamps of the battery are the points of contact with your vehicle. You should take a proper look at these points of contacts to determine whether they appear dirty and corroded. If they do then you should give them a proper clean before putting the battery on charging suggest experts who offer great deals on buying car batteries in London.
In the subsequent steps you have to disconnect the battery to avoid chances of shock and disconnect the negative lead first and reconnect it last. Then connect the charger while making sure the charger is at a considerable distance from the battery. You should never place the charger atop the battery while charging. In the next step you have to turn on the charger. When the battery is fully charged some chargers turn off automatically while others need to be disconnected manually. The manufacturer’s booklet tells you how much time it will take for a full charge.
Tips for taking the right care of car batteries
When you provide the right maintenance to your vehicle regularly the life of the battery gets easily extended. In other words this saves a substantial sum of money in the long run although unfortunately most people do not understand this. A smart charger is capable repairing issues that already exist. It also prevents any further damage and thus when you use a smart charger to charge your electric vehicle or EV you can avoid investing on a new battery sooner.
Else you have to spare visual checks at short and regular intervals along with providing cleaning every few weeks or months in order to maintain it in sound health. When the engine is off avoid running any electrical function. Always remember to turn the lights off. Both these actions drain the battery of any vehicle badly. Neither should you leave your vehicle parked idle at one place for long time periods to maintain the battery in shape.
Typical cost of car batteries
What is the standard price of car battery? As far as the United Kingdom is concerned the price ranges from £100 to £300. The average price at 24hr Mobile Tyre Repair London is around £130 for a single battery. However, the batteries of vehicles with Start and Stop system are usually little costlier.