It seems that the combination of two charging methods is the key to lengthen the life of the battery in an electric vehicle without compromising its operation.
In Germany, electric vehicles are being used as public transportation for commuters travelling from Karlsruhe to Alsace and back. The problem is that the frequency of runs only allows quick charging. We all know that quick charging will allow the vehicles to run but it will take its toll on the battery thus shortening its life.
A Science Daily article published in May 2014 revealed a solution to this problem. The RheinMobile project funded by the Federal Republic of Germany proved that combining the quick charging method with the more conventional (longer) charging result in a longer battery life for electric vehicles. However, it has to be a controlled mix to ensure that it will not hinder the high utilization of the vehicles during commute.
Here’s how it will work. During the hours that the vehicle is in operation, it will only go through a quick 30 minute charging to allow it to run again and transport passengers. But at night, when it stops operations, it will go through the conventional 9 hour charging. This proves to be useful for each vehicle that averages 3,000 km runs each month.
After 120,000 km, this charging combination is proving to be ideal in enhancing battery performance.
The success of the project revealed that electric vehicles can already replace conventional fossil-fueled vehicles. In the winter months, the temperature may cause electric vehicles to consume more energy but with the controlled combination of quick and conventional charging, the operations are not affected. The fact that the former reduces CO2 emissions is just an added bonus.
These scientific studies ease the problem of electric vehicle battery performance. It is expected to help increase its popularity now that proper battery charging techniques will make it more economical to use. Further studies are also expected to produce concrete driving tips that will help consumers with energy consumption.
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