Lithium-ion batteries, once prohibitively expensive, have seen a dramatic price drop of over 97% per kilowatt-hour since the 1990s. This has made electric vehicles (EVs) more affordable and competitive with gasoline-powered cars.
A recent Stanford-SLAC study has revealed promising news for EV owners: real-world driving conditions may extend battery life by up to 40%. Unlike standard lab tests that simulate steady charging and discharging, everyday driving—marked by acceleration, braking, and long periods of inactivity—enhances battery longevity.
According to Simona Onori, a Stanford professor of energy science, frequent stops and starts allow batteries to rest, reducing wear and tear compared to constant usage.
This discovery challenges traditional testing methods used by battery engineers, who primarily assess lifespan based on repetitive charge-discharge cycles. The new research highlights the importance of including real-world scenarios in battery evaluation to improve predictions about longevity, especially for daily EV commuters.
Batteries remain a significant expense, accounting for about a third of an EV’s cost. However, with findings like these, EV owners may not need to replace battery packs as frequently as once thought. This is a significant benefit, particularly in light of the nearly 90% drop in battery costs over the past 15 years.
The study also examined two types of battery aging: cycling-related wear from repeated use and time-induced aging that occurs when batteries sit idle. For personal EVs primarily used for errands or commuting, time-induced aging proved more significant than cycling-related wear.
This insight may enhance battery designs and charging algorithms. It could also benefit energy storage applications like solar cells and biomaterials.
Researchers now have a fresh perspective on how to test and optimize batteries for real-world conditions. They aim to improve battery performance by rethinking aging mechanisms at the material and cell levels. These findings highlight the innovation and unpredictability in battery research. They also stress the need to give scientists the freedom to explore bold ideas.
The advancements in lithium-ion battery technology are paving the way for a more sustainable future, making EVs a viable and enduring choice for drivers worldwide.
Reference- Journal Nature Energy, Our World in Data, Stanford-SLAC study, Wikipedia