Charging etc

[RoadUser]

I was reading a couple of articles regarding rapid charging and effect on battery life over time etc. the common them to be is not to charge over 80% and not to frequently rapid charge as rapid charging generates a lot of heat which can be damaging to the battery.

Also same goes with fast charge not to regularly go over 80% as above this figure it generates a lot of heat and this is what has the most detrimental effect on battery life. So basically heat is bad.

Here is one.

How long do batteries last in electric cars? | Autocar

Should you be worried about the battery life of an electric car? Not if you pay close attention to our guide

www.autocar.co.uk

The above article makes an interesting point about the country the vehicle is in, so would that mean a car that spends it life in the hot bits of Spain will have more battery degradation compared to a similar one in the UK, which is the same age and followed the same charging pattern?

Also as the manufacturers mostly quote the 20-80% rapid charging speed when advertising and also it seems above 80% is bad for the battery, shouldn't they also quote the 80% range in addition to the 100% as that's what most people would have used the time to 80% as part of their purchasing decision.

So in case of the MG5 in addition to the 216 range also quote a 80% rapid charge range of 173 miles. As it seems most people would mainly want to rapid charge when doing longer journey's when requiring the max range, but the quoted 50 mins will only get 173 miles!

 

[Jomarkh]

Over 80% the charge rates starts to reduce so takes longer to get the last 20% on a long journey it is better to stop three times to 80% than twice to 100%.
Fast charging should not make much difference to 100 % plus you should go to 100% once a month to balance the battery cells.

 

[Petriix]

I was reading a couple of articles regarding rapid charging and effect on battery life over time etc. the common them to be is not to charge over 80% and not to frequently rapid charge as rapid charging generates a lot of heat which can be damaging to the battery.

Also same goes with fast charge not to regularly go over 80% as above this figure it generates a lot of heat and this is what has the most detrimental effect on battery life. So basically heat is bad.

Here is one.

How long do batteries last in electric cars? | Autocar

Should you be worried about the battery life of an electric car? Not if you pay close attention to our guide

www.autocar.co.uk

The above article makes an interesting point about the country the vehicle is in, so would that mean a car that spends it life in the hot bits of Spain will have more battery degradation compared to a similar one in the UK, which is the same age and followed the same charging pattern?

Also as the manufacturers mostly quote the 20-80% rapid charging speed when advertising and also it seems above 80% is bad for the battery, shouldn't they also quote the 80% range in addition to the 100% as that's what most people would have used the time to 80% as part of their purchasing decision.

So in case of the MG5 in addition to the 216 range also quote a 80% rapid charge range of 173 miles. As it seems most people would mainly want to rapid charge when doing longer journey's when requiring the max range, but the quoted 50 mins will only get 173 miles!

Yes, all the points about battery health are true; to a degree. But you should still start any long journey with 100% charge, just maybe avoid charging to 100% if you aren't doing a long journey.

The point about rapid charging is that it slows down so much as the battery gets full that it's quicker to stop before you get to 90% and charge again later if required. In practice you don't tend to drive 100% to 1% ever anyway. And, if you're driving far then you'll be driving fast so you won't get the same range anyway.

 

[CuriousIslander]

Over 80% the charge rates starts to reduce so takes longer to get the last 20% on a long journey it is better to stop three times to 80% than twice to 100%.
Fast charging should not make much difference to 100 % plus you should go to 100% once a month to balance the battery cells.

I do low mileage, only about 120 miles a week. How frequently should I balance charge? (I have a home charger so this is no problem). Monthly seems a little excessive to me. Did I read (or have I imagined it?) that the car prompts you with a message when it needs a balance charge? (MG5 standard range)
Any advice welcome

 

[Jomarkh]

How often are you charging at the moment and is it to 100%.
Every time you 100% charge that will normally be a balance too unless you turn it off as it changes from 99 to 100??

 

[Kithmo]

I only do about 40-50 miles a week, but still balance once a month.
As the manual doesn't actually mention mileage I thought the time constraint may be more relevant.

 

[Petriix]

One per month is the maximum recommended interval. Hardly seems excessive to me.