Hittin' the Road with Less Range and Power: An Unpleasant Truth for Electric Car Enthusiasts
Electricity losses in German electric vehicles are at a maximum level compared to other vehicles.
Gear up for a ride, electric car enthusiasts! It seems your beloved electric vehicles, yes, even the German ones, might be guzzling more power than you think during charging, thanks to a sneaky factor that often goes unnoticed - battery temperature. Here's the lowdown on power losses, without the technical jargon.
Electric cars have always been synonymous with quiet rides, futuristic tech, and energy efficiency. But guess what? More power gets wasted during charging than you'd imagine! The biscuit here? That temperature matters, big time. In a recent real-world test by the folks at ADAC, it was found that a warm battery during fast charging experiences minimal energy loss, only up to 4%. However, when a cold battery is plugged in for a charge-up, losses jump to a whopping 6-10%! A hot trend we've observed in the German electric car, VW ID.3.
Funny enough, pre-conditioning, which warms up the battery on its own during the ride, can help reduce charging losses. But here's the catch - it takes a bit of energy! Energy that doesn't go into the car, but rather burns up on the way to the charger. Sounds impressive, right? Well, it's a hidden cost trap. Charging at home might save you some pennies, but your precious power is flying out the window... or should we say, out of your car. The reason? The wall box converts alternating current into direct current in the car, a power-sucking process.
So, what's the solution? First things first, study your charging habits. Driving to a fast charging station after a long drive usually means you've already revved up the battery, reducing energy loss by default. Also, take in as much energy as possible in a single charge sesh. The larger the energy intake, the lower the percentage loss.
Lastly, keep an eye on your spending and battery health. Compare prices at fast charging stations with your home tariff. Sweet spot? Cheaper power + a warm battery = more range for less dough. But remember, moderation's key. Frequent fast charging can put stress on the battery, potentially shortening its lifespan. Moderate switching between charging types is the way to go.
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Charging Woes and Power Losses: Protect Your Wallet While Fast Charging
Now that we've nailed battery temperatures and power losses, it's time to earn some savings while charging! To avoid power losses slipping by unnoticed, take a closer look at your charging habits. Optimal battery-friendly techniques are just a few tweaks away!
- While electric vehicles are known for their energy efficiency, a significant portion of power is lost during charging, particularly when the battery is cold.
- The temperature of the battery plays a crucial role in power loss during fast charging, with losses jumping to 6-10% when a cold battery is charged.
- Pre-conditioning, which warms up the battery during the ride, can help reduce charging losses, but it uses energy and can become a hidden cost trap.
- To save power and money while fast charging, consider studying your charging habits, charging as much as possible in a single session, and comparing charging station prices with your home tariff.
