Electric battery-powered vehicles attract the attention of many automobile enthusiasts with their different mechanics as well as the advantages they provide. The raw material, cost, and replacement period of the battery used in EVs are among the most curious issues.
About the EV batteries
Electric vehicles use lithium-ion batteries to power the electric motors that have made EVs famous for instant torque and brutal acceleration. These batteries use materials that need to be mined, and the batteries themselves must be maintained properly to avoid permanent damage to the unit. Many people also wonder whether EV batteries are recyclable and where they end up once they are no longer in use.
What is the electric vehicle battery made of?
Although the batteries of electric vehicles are generally based on lithium (lithium carbonate); It consists mainly of a mixture of primary components such as cobalt, manganese, nickel, aluminum, and graphite. For example; While the Tesla battery (specifically for the S model) consists of cobalt, nickel, and aluminum in addition to lithium, the battery of the world’s best-selling electric vehicle Nissan Leaf is produced with a lithium-manganese alloy. While some of these components are rarely found, some of them are relatively easier to reach.
Lithium is a type of metal element with a soft texture and light silver color. Lithium, which is found in nature together with other elements, is used in battery technology as an ion alloy. Although the efforts to find alternative raw materials for the future of electric vehicles are increasing day by day, it can said that lithium-ion (Li-Ion) technology dominates the sector today.
Are EV batteries safe?
Another huge misconception about EVs is that they’re going to explode at any moment or that the driver will get electrocuted while driving the car. Of course, freak accidents can happen, but electric vehicles are perfectly safe forms of transportation. The batteries are also protected, especially if you buy a heavy-duty EV like the futuristic Rivian R1T.
Tesla vehicles routinely place very high in the standings regarding vehicle safety ratings, so you can rest assured that purchasing an EV won’t make your commute any more dangerous. All in all, EVs are very safe vehicles, although the possibility of a battery pack catching fire is something that can’t be completely ruled out. The scary part is that when one of these lithium-ion batteries catches fire, extinguishing it can prove to be a rather tedious task.
How long is the electric car battery life?
The battery life of electric cars varies depending on the material of the battery and the intensity of use, just like in smartphones. While some studies have shown that EV batteries can be used for up to 20 years without needing replacement, many automakers offer 8 to 10 years of warranty in line with the battery’s projected life. A Li-Ion battery can be recharged 500 to 1000 times on average and can cover a range of 100-160 thousand kilometers during its lifetime.
Can EV batteries be recycled?
EV batteries will be the big environmental question heading into the 2020s. Especially because mining the materials contained in these batteries is already a hot-button topic. If EVs are going to be viable options for clean transport, recycling batteries will have to be a must. There are already companies hard at work trying to figure out the best methods for recycling EV batteries.
One of these companies is Redwood Materials, and they are teaming up with industry giant Ford in an effort to recycle materials from batteries that have already met the end of their life cycle. So, while recycling these batteries at the moment is not an easy task, many resources are being invested in making this process feasible and economical.
How to replace electric car Battery?
Batteries of electric vehicles can have a modular or relatively compact system, depending on the brand of the vehicle. Vehicle batteries with fully modular design, allows certain cells to be replaced when they experience a performance loss of 5 percent or more. So, the life of the battery can extend without the need for a complete replacement.
Batteries designed in a compact structure are also have more than one part and allow module replacement. However, in these types, service points are usually replaced at the end of the mileage or usage period guaranteed by the manufacturer. Some battery manufacturers, on the other hand, provide the service of using alternating batteries with the stations they set up. So that, when the current battery is discharged, users can continue their journey by quickly changing the battery over the subscription.
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