Buying Electric Vehicle Batteries: Pay Attention to “Ampere” (A)

Many consumers who have purchased electric vehicle batteries may notice that after replacing the battery, their electric vehicle doesn’t run as far or as powerfully as it used to. Mr. Yuan, a local resident, is one such consumer. Not long ago, he replaced the battery in his electric vehicle, but after charging, he noticed that the driving distance had significantly shortened each time.

After a professional inspection, it was found that the original battery for his electric vehicle was 48V 12Ah, but the new battery he installed was 48V 10Ah. A technician from a certain electric vehicle brand explained that, currently, the market offers a variety of electric vehicle batteries, including 48V 10Ah, 48V 12Ah, 48V 20Ah, and 64V 10Ah, 64V 14Ah, 64V 20Ah models. The unit of measurement for ampere (Ah) refers to the battery’s capacity—higher amperage means larger capacity, allowing for a longer driving range on a single charge. Voltage (V), on the other hand, refers to power—the higher the voltage, the more powerful the vehicle will be. In Mr. Yuan’s case, after replacing the battery with one that had 2 fewer ampere hours, the driving distance difference was noticeable.

So, how should consumers select the right battery for their electric vehicles? According to the technician, it’s important that the electric vehicle and battery are compatible and not just any battery should be used. If a battery with too low an amperage is installed, it will lead to a lack of power, shorter range, and other issues. On the other hand, installing a battery with too high an amperage can damage components such as the controller. It is recommended that vehicle owners replace the battery with the type specified in the manual to ensure the longevity of their electric vehicle.