Electric Car Long Term Battery Considerations

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Long Trem Ownership and Battery Issues

Electric cars have been a common sight on the road for several years now, with many owners having made their first purchase of an electric car better than five years ago. Because of the continued advances being made in electric car technology there are some electric car owners who are already into their second or third car. The majority of owners who have been questioned have been proud owners of electric cars for two or more years and have said that they are so satisfied with their cars that they are planning to purchase another electric car to replace their old one.

The common reason these owners prefer the electric car is that driving one is almost entirely stress-free. Electric cars are very easy to handle and the ride is quiet and very smooth. Driving an electric car is universally described as a pleasant and relaxing experience.

(We say “almost entirely,” though many owners will say “entirely.” This is due to the learning curve that is part of being a new driver and a funny little short term phase known as “range fixation.” It passes quickly enough into the next phase, which becomes the “entirely stress free” phase.)

The amount of money saved on fuel is one of the main reasons given for electric car preference. Add to that the convenience of never having to go to the gas station to get the tank filled up. All the electric car owner has to do is charge the car at home overnight and it is all set to go.

Range is not even an issue for most drivers. This is mainly because:

  • Some owners just use the electric car as a second car to a conventional or hybrid car, so they do not need to use it for long distance trips.
  • They are a member of a car club, or otherwise hire a car for their occasional long distance trips.
  • They use another form of long distance travel, such as a train.

It is not an issue for most drivers that there is no existing nationwide charging network at the moment. Few even use the existing car charging points. The prognosis that that outlook will change is expected, however, as more people choose electric over fossil fuels. A nationwide charging network will not only be used more frequently, but the demand for more charging points will lead to network growth, making  car charging easier than ever and long distance travel a normal part of life. 

As the batteries get older, the range of an electric car also lessens. Cold weather is also another factor that can affect its range:

  • The range can decrease by 25 percent in cold weather.
  • The range will decrease by 35-40 percent as nickel metal hydride and lead acid batteries reach the end of their lifespan.
  • Lithium-ion batteries will decrease in range by 20-25 percent as it nears the time when they have to be replaced.

The only main issue when owning an electric car is the cost of battery replacement. The cost