Charging Electric Vehicles Immediately After Long Journeys Risky

A significant warning has emerged for electric vehicle owners, particularly users of electric scooters. According to experts, plugging a vehicle into charging immediately after a long journey can prove risky. When a vehicle returns from a long trip, its battery retains a considerable amount of heat. Starting the charging process in such a state can further increase the battery temperature, posing a safety risk.

According to an NDTV report, lithium-ion batteries generate heat during charging and discharging. The more intensely the battery works, the more heat it produces. In a country like India, where temperatures soar during summer, this problem becomes more severe. The likelihood of heat buildup in lithium-ion batteries increases especially when the ambient temperature exceeds 35 degrees Celsius.

Researchers at IIT Madras are studying how to resolve the issue of battery overheating. They are working on cooling technology that can help electric vehicles operate safely under India's extreme weather conditions. Researchers conducted an experiment using a 60 ampere-hour battery cell. In this experiment, when the surrounding temperature was 35 degrees Celsius or higher and the cell was operating at a discharge rate of 1C or more, the battery temperature exceeded 45 degrees Celsius.

According to the researchers, 45 degrees Celsius is a critical threshold for battery thermal management. The problem is that heat does not dissipate immediately when the rider switches off the scooter. Additional heat is generated during the charging process. If the battery is already hot after a journey, plugging it in immediately increases thermal stress. High temperatures are detrimental not only to safety but also to the battery's lifespan. This accelerates battery degradation and reduces its capacity to hold a charge over time. In extreme situations, overheating can become a major safety hazard.

Naveen Gupta, Founder and CEO of Trev Mobility, told NDTV that attention to battery safety should be given not only when the consumer purchases the vehicle but throughout the vehicle's entire lifecycle. He added that high temperatures can affect battery performance and accelerate its degradation. Effective thermal management of the heat generated during driving and charging is a crucial part of the entire system.

Naveen Gupta believes that battery health monitoring, regular vehicle inspections, and adopting proper charging methods are essential for the reliable operation of electric vehicles. He further emphasised that users should strictly follow the guidelines provided by the manufacturer and always use reliable charging infrastructure.