Your Guide to the Electric Car Battery

One thing all electric vehicles have in common: they all have an electric car battery. To help you understand this crucial piece of an EV, Folsom Lake Kia in Folsom, CA, shares the basics you should know about the electric car battery.

Electric Car Battery Basics

All electric vehicles use a lithium-ion battery, which stores the electricity needed to power the auto. The kW, a measurement of electrical power, is what differentiates one battery from another. The higher the kW of the battery, the more miles your electric vehicle can travel on a single, full charge.

Charging an Electric Car Battery

An electric car battery is rechargeable. You can charge it over and over again by plugging the car into an external electricity source. Most commonly, you can plug your vehicle into a 120-volt outlet, a 240-volt outlet, or a DC Fast-Charge outlet. You can check with us here at our Kia dealership if you're interested in where charging stations can be found in your area.

The battery should be charged between 20 percent and 80 percent which has been determined to be the most efficient range for charging. Charging generates heat, and stopping before you reach 100 percent can reduce exposure. At the other end, you don't want to completely drain the battery either.

Driving With an Electric Car Battery

How many miles you can travel on a single, full charge is indicated by a range. The 2022 Kia EV6 has a range of over 300 miles on a full charge.

Most people drive around 37 miles a day, which means you can drive for several days without needing to re-charge your battery at all, or only charging it part way.

The Life of an Electric Car Battery

The average electric car battery will last from 10 to 20 years before it needs to be replaced. Kia offers a battery capacity warranty of three to 10 years or 100,000 miles for its electric vehicles. Our Kia service center will replace an electric car battery if it gives out within warranty.

To extend the life of your battery, a little TLC can go a long way. Avoid leaving your car exposed to very hot or very cold temperatures, which can damage the battery or reduce the driving range.

Now that you know all about the electric car battery, it's time to see how it works in person. Stop by Folsom Lake Kia to test-drive an electric vehicle.