What Does Shallow Charging and Discharging Mean?

[KingLee]

Shallow charging and discharging refers to not charging or discharging the battery to its full capacity, meaning not charging to 100% and not discharging completely. Below is a brief introduction to shallow charging and discharging: When the battery is charged only when it falls below 10% or is completely drained, it is considered over-discharging. When the battery is charged between 20% and 90% and not fully charged to 100%, it is considered shallow charging and discharging. Shallow charging and discharging means not reaching the battery's maximum capacity during charging and discharging, i.e., not charging fully and not discharging completely. Precautions: Do not charge the battery after it is completely drained, as this can affect the battery's lifespan. Avoid using the phone for extended periods while charging; wait until charging is complete before operating the device. Avoid Over-Discharging: Charge the device when it prompts "low battery." If you wait until the device shuts down automatically, the battery has already been over-discharged, which can impact its lifespan. Avoid Over-Charging: When the charger indicates that the battery is fully charged, unplug the charger. Modern chargers usually have an auto-stop feature when fully charged. While leaving the battery connected to the charger for a short time is not a problem, keeping it connected for extended periods can lead to over-charging. This happens because, late at night, when grid voltage rises, the charger may resume charging even after it had stopped, causing over-charging, which can also affect battery lifespan.

[DelaneyFitz]

I've been driving an electric vehicle for several years. The concept of 'shallow charging and shallow discharging' means not fully charging the battery every time, but instead using only 20% to 80% of the battery's capacity. For example, stop charging at 80%, and avoid discharging below 20% when using the vehicle. This habit can significantly extend the battery's lifespan because deep charging and discharging can cause rapid degradation of electrode materials and increase stress. In hybrid or pure electric vehicles, the system itself is usually set up to recommend this practice, but it's also important to pay attention to your charging habits. Actually, it's not just lithium batteries; even ordinary lead-acid starter batteries should avoid being completely discharged or overcharged. Shallow charging and discharging reduce maintenance costs. In daily use, I recommend setting up charging limit functions more often to maintain battery health, which can extend its life by several years and save money on battery replacements.

[JesseRose]

As a seasoned driver, I've known the term 'shallow charge and discharge' since the early days of gasoline cars. Simply put, it means not overworking the battery: charging only up to about 70% and avoiding complete discharge, maintaining a moderate state. This is especially crucial for electric vehicles because deep cycling accelerates lithium battery aging, leading to reduced range. With my hybrid car, I always stop charging at 75% to avoid full capacity pressure. Similarly, for gasoline car starter batteries, frequent discharge to zero before recharging can easily damage them. After adopting this habit, my car's battery condition has remained excellent, with no major issues even after five or six years. Regular checks on charging equipment are also necessary to ensure no overvoltage or undervoltage occurs.

[LaMaria]

From a cost-saving perspective, shallow charging and discharging are a car owner's best friend. This means not draining the battery completely or charging it to full, but maintaining a charge level between 40% and 80%. Battery aging primarily stems from deep cycling, which consumes the material's lifespan, and replacing the battery can be a significant expense. I've personally seen a friend who didn't practice shallow charging and discharging have to replace their car battery after just two years, costing several thousand dollars; meanwhile, I've stuck to partial charging and discharging and haven't needed a replacement in six or seven years. Especially with electric vehicles, setting the charging limit to 80% is simple—just use an app. This not only saves on repair costs but also reduces resource waste.

[Catalina]

From an environmental perspective, shallow charging and discharging represent battery-friendly usage, involving only partial charge and discharge cycles while avoiding full depletion or deep charging. Battery production carries significant emissions, and frequent replacements increase pollution. This practice extends battery lifespan by up to 30%, reducing e-waste. When using electric vehicles, I consciously set shallow cycles—for instance, stopping at 80% charge and ceasing usage at 40% depletion. Similarly applicable to starter batteries in conventional vehicles, it conserves materials and energy. This approach integrates with green driving, supporting sustainable development.