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Summary
All batteries slowly discharge their stored energy when not in use.
While you’re able to’t avoid self-discharge, proper storage can slow it down.
The next time you pull it out, the battery is dead.
Here’s why batteries don’t (and can’t) stay charged.
Take the simple example of heating and cooling your home.
In the winter, you must continuously add heat as your home releases heat energy into the cooler environment.
And in the summer, you must continuously remove heat, fighting against the energy outside your home.
Although we take them for granted, batteries are a bit of a technological miracle.
This continued low-level activity within the battery slowly depletes the stored energy.
Here are some common rechargeable battery types and how quickly they discharge.
They’re also the kind of batteries found inelectric vehicles.
Related:How Long Do Electric Car Batteries Actually Last?
While the self-discharge rate of NiMH batteries is high, there is a variation of called low-discharge NiMH.
The discharge rate is as low as 0.25-0.50% per month but is used primarily in small rechargeable batteries.
The popular line of Eneloop rechargeable batteries from Panasonic is perhaps the most widely used example of low-discharge NiMH.
Cool within reason, of course.
