All about EV batteries

There’s a lot of discussion around EV batteries, including how sustainable they are to produce, ways to extend their lifespan and what happens to them at the end of life. 

EV batteries are essentially a large version of a smartphone battery, made from hundreds of cells that are charged up with electricity. EV technology uses lithium-ion batteries, which undergo cycles of charge via chemical changes when plugged in, reversing these changes to discharge energy when driven. 

The battery connects to one or more of the EV’s electric motors, which drives the wheels. When you press the accelerator, the car feeds power to the motor, which uses the energy stored in the battery. 

EV batteries energy capacity

EV batteries’ energy capacity is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), which conveys the battery’s energy storage over a specific time. The average EV battery capacity is around 40kWh, with each 1kWh providing around 4 miles of range, although some new EVs have up to 100kWh capacity. The battery capacity of your EV impacts its range, so the bigger the battery, the further you’ll get. 

EVs have 90% fewer moving parts than an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) car and accelerate faster than traditional fuel engine vehicles, so feel lighter to drive, despite being heavier due to the weight of the battery. This extra weight actually helps improve safety, handling, and driving specs!   

Regenerative braking 

EVs have a mechanism called regenerative braking, which means that when you press down on the accelerator, power is fed to the motor using energy stored in the batteries. When you remove your foot from the brakes, the car begins to convert its forward motion back into electricity, which slows the car, using kinetic energy that would otherwise be wasted. A smart feature that saves energy and future charging time. 

What are EV batteries made of? 

EV batteries are made from a variety of raw materials; base metals including aluminium, copper and iron, precious metals such as cobalt, nickel and manganese, and other elements such as graphite and lithium. These materials have to be extracted or mined from the earth, which has environmental implications and makes the EV battery the most costly component in the manufacturing process. However, manufacturers are increasingly investing resources into establishing a more sustainable and cost-effective production process. 

Ready to start your EV charging journey? 

Mr Charger are the UK electric vehicle charging specialists, with local teams located across the UK. We’re approved installers for leading charge point manufacturers and offer helpful advice from start to finish. Find your local team and get your EV journey started today.