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A smarter way to drive your battery lasts longer

Batteries in electric vehicles are essential, but how long the battery used in daily driving remains a difficult question. Most tests performed in the lab use basic, stable charging and discharging routines (methods that flow at a constant speed, i.e., inconsistent with the way vehicles drive in the real world. Scientists examine whether these traditional methods truly reflect daily driving, prompted by the goal of improving the battery prediction and extending its service life.

Stanford researchers Dr. Simona Onori and William Chueh, Ph.D., studied how batteries react to changing power demands, such as those experienced by cars when starting, stopping, or using energy storage brakes, which restore energy during deceleration. Their findings are shared in the journal Nature Energy, questioning long-standing assumptions about how to test batteries.

Dr. Onori and Dr. Chueh tested widely used electric vehicle battery batteries on dozens of different driving style scenarios, including patterns from actual traffic data and computer-simulated travel. These experiments lasted for several months and were designed to resemble the way people actually drove, such as driving on city streets or cruising on highways. What they found was unexpected-longer duration of use under various driving conditions than the driving conditions tested under stable, constant energy use. When it comes to driving, this may mean that the car will go much further before the battery needs to be replaced.

“We found that dynamic cycles of full intensity – charging and emissions are different intensities compared to constant current emissions,” explains Dr. Onori. This effect is even more pronounced when the power drawn from the battery is usually lower. The study also shows that using only stable energy patterns during testing is often too pessimistic about how long the battery really lasts.

Perhaps the most important gain of this study is that the changes in energy used by vehicles at different moments, especially when slowing down or stopping, have a big impact on the way the battery ages. With easy-to-explain computer models, digital tools that simulate conditions in the real world, the team notes that these slow, gentle fluctuations can actually help longer batteries healthier. “This work quantifies the importance of evaluating new battery chemistry – estimation of the materials that make up the battery and designs with realistic load curves that are energy usage patterns seen in daily activities, highlighting our opportunity to understand the aging mechanisms.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sorrm56xuku

Such results not only challenge long-term laboratory methods, but also point to better ways to design and maintain batteries. By seeing how everyday driving affects battery wear, developers can build smarter systems to take advantage of these natural benefits. As Dr. Onori and Dr. Chueh summed up: “Dynamic riding does not accelerate degradation; it enhances lifelong.”

Switching to mirroring real-world driving test methods can make a significant difference. As battery-powered tools and vehicles become increasingly common in daily life, these insights can help create energy solutions that last longer and work more efficiently.

Journal Reference

Geslin A., Xu L., Ganapathi D., Moy K., Chueh WC, Onori S. “Dynamic cycles can enhance battery life.” Nature Energy, 2025; 10:172-180. doi:

About the Author

Dr. Simona Onori Currently an associate professor at Stanford University and a leading expert in energy systems and battery management. Her research focuses on the modeling, control and diagnosis of electrochemical energy storage systems, with particular emphasis on lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles and renewable energy applications. She has made a significant contribution to algorithms that improve battery life and efficiency by integrating real-world usage data. Dr. Onori has received several prestigious awards and has been recognized for his interdisciplinary approach. Her work is frequently published in top energy journals and has influenced industry practices in automotive and grid storage technologies. In addition to her academic achievements, she is a passionate advocate for sustainable transportation and directs the next generation of engineers and scientists in the field of clean energy.

Dr. William Joe He is a renowned materials scientist and associate professor at Stanford University, and he also leads the energy storage and conversion laboratory at Stanford University. His research focuses on the development of next-generation energy storage materials, focusing on solid-state batteries and advanced lithium-ion technology. Dr. Chueh combines experimental methods with data-driven methods to understand and improve the performance and lifespan of energy systems. His work has played a role in shaping the future of battery technology and has collaborated with academic institutions and leading tech companies. He was recognized for his pioneering efforts and he received numerous honors, including early awards and scholarships. Dr. Chueh is also affiliated with the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, where he contributes to the national research program for clean energy. He is a forward-looking innovator who advocates the integration of fundamental science with realistic energy solutions that support global sustainability goals.