Reduction of Electric Vehicle Driving Range Due to Battery Capacity Fading

Abstract

This paper is mainly focused to the estimation of the reduction of the driving range in electric vehicles due to battery capacity fading as a consequence of the aging effects with cycling. A scale model reproducing the real driving conditions in electric vehicles has been used to develop a simulation process to evaluate the incidence of the cycling on the battery capacity fading. The model on which the simulation has been based had been previously tested with excellent results, showing an accuracy better that 98%. Simulation has been verified through experimental tests on a lithium-ion battery for 500 consecutive cycles, determining the capacity fading with cycling. A modified theoretical model is proposed, showing that battery capacity fading follows a third degree polynomial function. Experimental results match theoretical predictions within accuracy higher than 99%. The results have been used to estimate the reduction in the driving range of electric vehicles, showing a yearly lowering of 17.5% for a daily trip of 2.3 h driving under standard conditions. Battery lifespan prediction is of 2760 cycles, 7.56 years based on daily cycling that matches with manufacturers prediction.