Electric vehicle (EV) batteries are expected to degrade faster in the future as global temperatures increase, but research has found that gains to battery performance in recent years will more than offset this effect.
Climate change is causing temperatures to increase unevenly around the world, leading to concerns that significant rises could impact the battery performance of EVs in some locations. To maximise efficiency, range and longevity for lithium-ion batteries, the “sweet spot” is generally considered to be between 20-25°C.
However, a study led by University of Michigan researchers shows that batteries have gotten a lot better over the past several years and the gains will more than offset their expected heat-related degradation.
“Thanks to technological improvements, consumers should have more confidence in their EV batteries, even in a warmer future,” said Haochi Wu, lead author of the study.
The team’s study combined EV simulations with models of battery degradation and climate...