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Overview
Recurrent always recommends keeping lithium ion batteries between 30% and 80% state of charge (SOC) whenever possible...
Two Key Reasons
But, Tesla recommends that LFP drivers charge to 100%. Why are these recommendations different?
Why the discrepancy? Two things:
- LFP chemistries are known to hold up better to high charges than Nickel-Cobalt-Aluminum (NCA) or Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt (NMC) batteries.
- Tesla’s Battery Management System (BMS) will be more accurate if it can recalibrate at 100% state of charge occasionally, ensuring more precise range estimates.
Technical Background
Nerdy aside: Why a flat voltage curve makes the BMS job’s harder
With NCA batteries, the voltage increases pretty linearly as the state of charge (SOC) goes up, in contrast to the flat voltage plateau found in most LFP packs. This helps explain why LFP can be charged to 100% more regularly.
This video provides a clear explanation of why Tesla recommends charging LFP (lithium iron phosphate) batteries to 100% in its electric vehicles, contrasting this with general advice for other lithium ion chemistries. It explores battery management system recalibration, range estimation accuracy, and how LFP battery durability supports these charging practices. The video uses real-world data and simple math to help EV owners and shoppers make informed decisions about how to charge and maintain their battery packs.
Written by Liz Najman, a researcher at Recurrent.
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