Short circuits, open circuits and even thermal runaway are the problems we run into most often with batteries, and they usually trace back to a poor purchase decision. Never buy a cheap, low-quality battery and risk property damage or personal injury. So how do you tell a good battery from a bad one? Here are seven points worth checking.

1. Check the product markings. A proper EV battery carries the manufacturer name, model or specification, production date, trademark, polarity symbols and environmental marks. Compare the packaging with the marks on the battery itself — inspection authorities judge the product by the markings on the battery body, so make sure they are clear and consistent.

2. Inspect the appearance. Look for deformation, cracks or scratches on the case, and make sure every marking is sharp and legible.

3. Look at the rated capacity. The higher the rated capacity printed on the battery, the longer it will run. Avoid batteries with no rated capacity stated at all.

4. Choose a brand from an established, large-scale manufacturer. XUPAI batteries, for example, combine proven quality with a well-built sales, customer-service, technical-support and maintenance network, so owners get reliable back-up throughout the service life.

5. Pair the battery with the right charger. Use an intelligent, automatically controlled charger matched to the battery: it adjusts charging current and charging time by itself and helps extend service life. Choose a traction (power) battery rather than a starting battery, because a traction battery delivers more energy per discharge and lasts longer.

6. Take pollution seriously. Choose low-contamination, cadmium-free batteries to keep harmful substances away from your health, and hand spent batteries over to a designated collection point instead of throwing them away, so they do not contaminate soil, food and water.

7. Follow the product quality reports published by the relevant authorities, whether scheduled or spot checks, and keep up with the basics of choosing, using and maintaining batteries.

We hope these seven checks help you avoid an expensive mistake the next time you buy a battery for your electric vehicle.