As the EV market grows, there will be many used EVs available.  If you are ready to plug into an EV, be sure to know about the battery health.  

The battery is the most expensive part of an EV and it can degrade over time and with usage. (Just like cell phones). The health of the battery should be a major concern when choosing your used EV. A healthy battery will give you more range, faster charging times, better performance and helps hold value. Electric vehicle (EV) battery degradation can manifest in several ways. 

Here are some signs to watch out for:

• Decreased range. As the battery degrades, it will be able to store less energy, which means shorter range.
• Increased charging time. It will take longer to charge the battery as it degrades, because it can’t accept as efficiently as before.
• Increased Charging Frequency: It may require more frequent charging to maintain the same level of driving range.
• Performance issues: The EV may not be able to accelerate as quickly or maintain its speed as it previously did.
• Difficulty Maintaining a Full Charge: If your EV battery struggles to hold a full charge, discharging more rapidly than before, even when the vehicle is not in use.
• Increased State of Charge (SOC) Variability: Battery degradation can lead to increased variability in the state of charge. For example, you might observe that the battery level fluctuates more rapidly or experiences sudden drops even after a recent charge.

Here are a few things you can do to check the battery health of a used EV:

• Ask the seller/ dealer about the battery’s history to include how it typically has been charged? 
• Check the car’s history report. Has the battery ever been replaced or repaired?
• Have the battery tested for degradation by a qualified mechanic.
• You can also check if the vehicle itself has the capability of determining the battery.  

Here are some additional things to consider:

• Find out if the  battery is leased because you will be responsible for monthly payments to the leasing company. This is called BaaS (Battery as a Service) which is a subscription based model. 
• Be aware of the battery’s warranty. Most EV batteries come with a warranty that covers the battery for a certain number of years or miles.
• Consider the climate where the vehicle has been driven. Battery degradation can be accelerated by extreme temperatures, both hot and cold.
• Check out Recurrent or a similar company. Their reports help to assess your battery health.

It’s important to note that some amount of battery degradation is normal over time due to regular use and environmental factors. However, if you notice a significant decline in performance or any of the above signs, it may be worth consulting with an EV technician or the manufacturer to assess the battery’s health.

Go electric✌️