Charging Recommendations for NMC batteries

Source: HopptBattery

In EV industry, mainly 2 types of batteries are commonly used in today's time. These batteries are either NMC batteries or LFP batteries. Both these batteries are having their own unique properties which makes them suitable for different applications. In this article, we will be primarily focusing our attention on NMC batteries.

NMC batteries are in application since a long time from teslas because of the simplicity of their usage and application. But with time, as need arised, different varieties of lithium batteries were developed. But still NMC batteries are quite popular in number of electric vehicles all around the world. Even though being used in lesser number of electric vehicles, still NMC batteries form significant number in 2 wheeler ev's. Even though NMC batteries provides quite lots of benefits over LFP batteries, people dont tend to choose NMC over LFP batteries.

Due to the higher number of usage, one needs to learn best practices to follow while charging and discharging these batteries. Now even NMC battery vehicles are of 2 types. One consisting of battery with active balancer and other with passive balancer. So we will consider utilization of these batteries based on presence of these balancers in your battery.

How to check whether my battery has any particular balancer?

First you need to confirm whether your vehicle has NMC battery or LFP battery pack. Majority of 2 wheeler electric vehicles has NMC battery pack, whereas in today's time majority of personal cars has LFP battery packs. One can even refer to their owner's manual or manufacturer's website to know the type of battery pack present in their vehicle. Now lets discuss charging and discharging practices.

a. NMC pack with active balancer:

1. Keep your charge limit set to 80-90% based on your daily usage. Avoid charging above 90% as much as possible.

2. Always plug in charging when your battery goes below 40%. Avoid discharging below 20% as much as possible.

3. Charge at a slower rate. Avoid supercharger in majority of the cases. Normally its safe to charge NMC batteries upto 0.5C i.e if your battery pack is 80kw then its safe to charge till the speed of 0.5 x 80 = 40kw without significant degradation.

4. Avoid excessive throttling while driving. NMC packs can give you unmatched pickups, but use only enough for your needs.

5. Avoid storing in locations which are below 10 degree celcius and above 40 degree celcius as these temperatures can significantly degrade NMC packs.

b. NMC packs with passive balancers:

Though its not recommended to use passive balancers in NMC batteries, but some manufacturers use it to avoid excessive cost. If you are unsure about whether your battery has active balancer or passive balancer, then refer to your owners manual. If your manufacturer is recommending to charge till 100% occassionally then it consists of passive balancer. This is because passive balancer only balances cells when they reach 100% SoC. Charging recommendations for those batteries are mentioned below.

1. Use your battery majorly from 20 to 80% or 90% SoC.

2. Occassionally i.e. once in 15 days charge your battery to 100% SoC, but dont let it sit at 100% for long time. Use the battery as soon as possible after reaching 100% and after balancing process is completed. One should plan their charge accordingly.

3. Avoid draining your battery below 10% on all occassions. If for some reason you had to go below 10% then charge your battery immediately.

4. Avoid storing in extreme climates like below 10 degree celcius and above 40 degree celcius.

5. Use charger which charges at rate 0.5C or slower for maximum life of the battery.