What Every EV Driver Should Know

Electric cars are reshaping the future of mobility, and at the heart of every EV is the battery. Yet, for many drivers, the battery remains a mysterious black box — essential, expensive, and often misunderstood.

In this blog post, we’ll shed light on the most important things every EV or plug-in hybrid driver should know about their car’s battery. Whether you’re already driving electric or considering the switch, this knowledge will help you understand your vehicle better and protect your investment.

1. What Is Battery State of Health (SoH)?

The State of Health (SoH) is a key indicator of how well your battery is performing compared to its original condition when new. It’s typically expressed as a percentage — 100% means the battery is as good as new, while a lower number indicates some degree of degradation.

SoH decreases over time due to various factors:

• Charging habits

• Driving behavior

• Temperature exposure

• Fast charging frequency

Knowing your battery’s SoH can help you understand its longevity and plan for the future — especially if you intend to keep your vehicle for many years or sell it later.

2. Why Individual Cell Health Matters

EV batteries consist of hundreds or even thousands of individual cells. While the overall battery might seem fine, problems in individual cells can affect performance, range, and charging speed.

Monitoring the health of each cell allows early detection of issues before they lead to bigger problems — such as reduced range or even battery failure.

3. Temperature: A Critical Factor

Battery performance is highly sensitive to temperature. Both extreme cold and heat can degrade the battery faster and reduce its efficiency.

Many EVs have sophisticated thermal management systems, but it’s still wise to:

• Avoid frequent fast charging in hot conditions

• Park in shaded or temperature-controlled areas

• Precondition your battery in cold weather before driving or charging

4. Why Charging Curves Matter

A charging curve shows how your battery charges over time — typically starting fast and then slowing down as the battery fills up. Understanding your vehicle’s charging curve helps optimize charging sessions, especially on road trips.

By analyzing your own charging data, you can:

• Identify if your car is charging slower than usual

• Spot potential battery degradation

• Plan your stops more efficiently

5. Data Transparency When Buying or Selling Used EVs

Battery health directly affects the value of a used EV. Without transparent data on battery condition, buyers and sellers are left guessing.

That’s where tools like EVScanner come into play: our app provides insights into your battery’s health, individual cells, and real-time data — giving you peace of mind when buying or selling.

Stay Informed With EVScanner

With EVScanner, you don’t have to stay in the dark about your EV’s battery. Our app connects to your vehicle using an OBD adapter and provides:

• Battery State of Health (SoH)

• Health of individual battery cells

• Real-time sensor data for motor, battery, and charging

• Charging curve recordings

• CarPlay integration for live data while driving

Understanding your battery helps you make smarter decisions and protects the value of your vehicle.

Check if your car is supported — download EVScanner now:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/evscanner-check-your-battery/id6471583672

Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash