These best practices can make the lithium-ion batteries in your devices last longer, researchers say.
Researchers plowed through scores of academic papers and manufacturers’ user manuals, as well as information on customer-support websites, to develop the list.
“By minimizing exposure to the conditions that accelerate degradation, batteries can last longer. And this has a positive environmental impact, as battery production is a source of greenhouse gas emissions and many other pollutants,” says senior author Greg Keoleian, director of the Center for Sustainable Systems at the School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan.
“Additionally, there are significant financial incentives for users to avoid adverse conditions, as the cost of lithium-ion batteries can range from 5% to over 50% of a product’s cost.”
How to Extend Lithium-Ion Battery Lifespan
Many of the recommended practices are related to the three main variables that impact battery health: temperature, state of charge, and current.
Here are some general guidelines from the researchers to maximize lithium-ion battery lifetime, along with a few specific recommendations from manufacturers:
Avoid temperature extremes, both high and low, when using or storing lithium-ion batteries. Elevated temperatures can accelerate degradation of almost every battery component and can lead to significant safety risks, including fire or explosion. If a laptop or cellphone is noticeably hot while it’s charging, unplug it. Minimize exposure to low temperatures, especially when charging.
For electric vehicles, nearly all manufacturers include warnings about high temperatures in their owner manuals. Some of them advise parking in the shade and keeping the vehicle plugged in during hot weather, thereby allowing the battery cooling system to run as needed. ..
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