Charging your cell phone in the car is not a good idea and these are the reasons

Our dependence on cell phones is increasing. It’s very rare that this happens, but when for some reason we forget it at home, we feel it all day and every time. It’s like a part of us is missing. Therefore, the need to keep it charged is always latent.

Running out of battery in the smartphone is not an option, so today many take advantage of the possibility offered by the car as a charging port. Especially considering the technological advantages that are accessed when the two are linked, being able to make and receive calls, play music, adjust the GPS, etc.

However, plugging our phones into available USB inputs or inductive bases in a vehicle is not a good idea for your battery life. Below we explain why.

The first thing to understand is that USB ports are not designed to transmit power in the same way as a conventional power outlet. They were designed for jobs that don’t require a lot of power and don’t need constant power transmission, like playing music on older MP3 devices.

The amperage that these ports give out is less than current devices require, which are around 2 or 3 amps, causing them to charge very slowly. And very slow recharges, like very fast ones, quickly deteriorate the battery.

In addition to the lack of amperage, another factor that shortens battery life is that cell phones were developed to be charged with their original charger and cable from an outlet, since the power they offer is adequate for the capacity of the magazine, no more, no less.

It happens that many users use alternative charging cables to charge the phone in the car USB port. These cables cause problems with the circuits of the device and, unlike the original ones, they do not disconnect the current output as soon as they detect that the charge is complete. By continuing to draw current, they also reduce battery life.

Remember that today there are also wireless chargers in cars. While these don’t offer the same problem for lithium-ion batteries as cables and USB ports, they still have their own drawbacks.

And it is that in induction charging, the phone has to work harder, generating more heat and collecting more energy to fill a battery of the same size. According to the OneZero company, it takes 47% more energy to charge a latest generation mobile phone from 0 to 100% thanks to wireless charging, compared to its wired charger. If this method, which generates more heat, is used continuously, the battery will suffer in the long run.

In short, charging your smartphone continuously in the car is not the best solution for your health. The charging cable plugged into the USB port deteriorates it faster, but the new induction bases also cause problems if they are used every time the vehicle is used.

Finally, remember that the No Chat law penalizes “tampering” once any manipulation with one or two hands of a mobile phone device or any other digital electronic device while driving the vehicle has begun. Fines of up to $160,000 and license suspension of up to 45 days. Anti-cat law: offenses for handling electronic devices while driving increased by 720% in 2022.