Fast charging seems to be almost everywhere. Many smartphones can go from nearly empty to more than 50% charged in about half an hour, while some electric vehicles can add hundreds of miles of range during a quick charging stop.
But batteries aren't perfect; their capacity degrades over time. Given that fast charging delivers more power in a shorter amount of time, does fast charging damage batteries?
Scientists say the answer is yes, but it's more complicated than you might think. Fast charging can accelerate some types of battery degradation, but modern batteries are designed with safeguards to help limit the damage.
How does fast charging work?
Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries — th...
English (US)