Impact of Usage Patterns on Li-Ion Battery Longevity

The longevity of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries is strongly shaped by operational usage patterns that dictate the onset and rate of degradation. Variations in depth of discharge (DoD), charge/discharge rates, and state-of-charge (SoC) management contribute significantly to performance decline, particularly under demanding operational and climatic conditions [1][4]. Frequent deep discharges accelerate electrode fatigue and electrolyte instability, while high and low C-rates amplify thermal and mechanical stress, fostering structural damage and resistive growth [2][6]. Moreover, irregular charging behavior, such as opportunistic recharging, sustains batteries at unfavorable SoC windows, enhancing side reactions such as solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) regrowth and lithium plating [4][7]. The interplay of these stressors is further intensified by extreme environmental exposure, where elevated temperatures accelerate electrolyte decomposition and low temperatures hinder ion transport, compounding degradation mechanisms [7][9]. Understanding the combined impact of usage patterns and climate factors is therefore essential for improving predictive models, guiding BMS strategies, and extending service life in electric vehicle and stationary storage applications [3][8].