People aren't generally given good advice on the batteries. Aside from keeping them at a regular temperature (avoid freezing and avoid leaving the car out in the hot sun), you should aim to have the charge above 50% at all times and not go above 90% unless you need to for a long journey. Minimizing the amps while charging is also good, and avoiding using fast charges if possible.
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If I buy my next car, it will be electric, too. And I will ask YOU for advice for handling it well.
Interesting information. I hadn't been aware that the care and feeding of the batteries was so unique.
i'll have to ask my sister if the people at the showroom told her that.. i don't remember any mention of keeping it between 50 and 90%... i think they advised us to use the standard charger to finish taking it up to 100% after the fast charger took it up to 90...
You're not given good advice on battery maintenance. In fairness, the 90% thing is relatively low importance. Discharging too much, temperature and amps all have a bigger impact than hitting 100% battery. All the same things apply to a mobile phone and laptop battery but nobody is told that either (and then people wonder why their phones lose charge over a year or two).
But it's also possible you just had bad batteries. If they deteriorate quite quickly they should be covered by warranty (they are for mine at least).
i know people who still run their phone battery flat before recharging, believing it will extend the life by avoiding shadows left behind... i guess that's just a relic from the old nicad days or something...oh well...
It is indeed, they had a concept called "battery memory". That was a very real thing, but doesn't apply to Li-ion batteries at all...