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This article was originally published February 21, 2023 and was updated March 13, 2024.
Electric vehicles (EVs), whether they are new or used, are typically long-term investments made with the intention of driving and enjoying the car for several years. How you choose to care for and maintain that investment will significantly impact the lifetime cost, experience, and overall value of your vehicle.
One of the most significant expenses in an EV, accounting for nearly one-quarter of the cost of an EV, is the battery. Certain habits can cause battery degradation to occur, which will ultimately decrease its lifespan.
To ensure your vehicle’s battery longevity and receive the most value from your EV long-term, you’ll want to be familiar with EV battery charging best practices. In this article, we’ll explore how to maintain your electric car’s battery health with key EV battery charging best practices and EV charging tips.
The following factors comprise essential elements of EV charging best practices that will help optimize your battery’s performance and efficiency, as well as prolong its life. We discuss each of these in more detail below.
Slow charging versus fast charging.
Minimum and maximum battery charge.
Driving habits.
Climate conditions.
EV battery charging best practices are essential to learn and implement, particularly regarding the tradeoffs between fast and slow charging.
When it comes to EV charging, there are three levels of charging to consider: Level 1 EV Charging, Level 2 EV Charging, and Level 3 EV Charging, also referred to as DC Fast Charging (DCFC).
Level 1 EV charging utilizes a 120V AC outlet and is easily accessible for a majority of drivers, as this type of outlet is a standard outlet in any home, multifamily, or commercial building outfitted with electricity. While this type of outlet is convenient to access at home or on the go, it charges at very slow rates due to the low output in voltage.
You can expect a Level 1 charger to add approximately three to five miles of range per hour of charging, depending on the make and model of the electric vehicle. As a result of this slow rate of charging, Level 1 EV charging can lead to an extended battery life by preventing a battery from regularly overcharging or receiving high-levels of energy on a consistent basis.
However, with a full charge often taking over 50 hours, many EV drivers find this level of EV charging is insufficient to meet their daily driving needs.
Level 2 EV charging stations are a preferred method of charging for many people as they can charge an EV up to ten times faster than a Level 1 EV charger, making it an ideal option for overnight charging.
Depending on the make and model of the electric vehicle as well as the EV charger, Level 2 charging adds 12 to 80 miles of range per hour of charging. These units run on 240V AC power through a dedicated circuit and require a certified electrician with the correct EV charger installation experience to install the appropriate hardware and wiring, as well as make any needed panel upgrades depending on the current available capacity and EV charger needs.
Level 2 EV charging stations use a higher level of power than Level 1 EV chargers but are equipped with “smarter” technology to communicate with the computer and technology inside of your electric vehicle to ensure your EV battery does not overcharge or overheat, and degrade as a result of these things over time.
Additionally, installing a smart Level 2 EV charging station that memorizes your schedule and daily driving needs can also calculate when you need your EV to be fully charged and when electricity is the most cost effective, so you never start your day with less battery range than you need and you can maximize your savings with at-home EV charging.
For more information you can read our blog discussing the differences between Level 1 and Level 2 EV charging.
Level 3 EV charging stations, or Direct Current Fast Chargers (DCFC) are a commercial-grade method of EV charging as they require 480V DC power and are significantly more expensive to purchase and install. Commonly found along major roads and in grocery stores, malls, and other quick stops, these charges offer high-powered, rapid-charging speeds and boast a full charge often in 30 minutes to 1 hour making them convenient for charging your EV while traveling or topping off an EV battery.
DC Fast Charging Stations are the only charging method to utilize DC, or direct current, energy. Using DC allows these chargers to directly power the vehicle battery, whereas Levels 1 EV chargers and Level 2 EV charging stations must convert the energy from AC to DC within the vehicle, slowing down the charge time of the EV battery.
While Level 3 EV charging stations provide the fastest battery charge, consistent use of Level 3 EV charging has been shown to increase battery degradation for electric vehicles by an average of 3-5% over 50,000 miles.
Related Reading: What Is A Level 3 EV Charger?
Lithium-ion batteries work better when they are used and charged in partial cycles, in other words, not completely depleted or fully charged.
Consequently, the best charging practice is to charge the battery at different stages, optimally keeping its level between 20% and 80%. Similarly to how the overuse of fast charging stations can decrease battery life, so can consistently allowing your battery to drain to 0% or continually overcharging the battery to 100% when it’s not needed.
One way to keep your battery charging in the optimal range is to utilize a smart panel or smart EV charger to maintain charging within a certain range. Some EVs may also come with these limits established as a baseline setting for charging capacity. Another benefit to keeping your battery charge at no higher than 80% is that it leaves the capability to generate and store energy through regenerative braking, which can help extend your EV driving range.
Consistently having a fully charged or fully drained battery can affect its life, particularly during long-term storage when the vehicle sits with the EV battery at extremely high or low levels of charge for extended periods of time. If you need to keep your EV in storage, make sure to charge the battery at least once every three months. Keeping the EV battery level consistently between 20-80% is the best way to prevent damage during long-term storage, especially if the vehicle will also be exposed to extreme temperatures during that time.
Most batteries are designed to last a minimum of 200,000 miles or more, so battery damage or extended use will not always require battery replacement. However, battery lifespan can fall somewhere between eight and twelve years in more extreme conditions. Depending on the situation and extent of damages, a repair may be possible to bring your battery back to standard working order.
One way to make this less expensive repair choice available is to follow EV battery charging best practices diligently. In particular, repeatedly leaving your lithium-ion battery fully charged at 100% or completely depleted at 0% can cause the worst damage, so it’s best to avoid doing so, and frequently using rapid charging can also result in increased EV battery degradation over time.
While most EVs require very little battery maintenance, some models rely on a liquid coolant to manage battery temperature. You should have a professional check coolant levels regularly and ensure that this system is still working properly to prevent overheating.
The maximum lifespan of your EV battery will vary based on the vehicle’s make and model. Check the maintenance recommendations of your EV’s manufacturer to get a better idea of how many charging cycles your battery is rated for.
How you drive your EV can also impact its battery life. Rapid acceleration and harsh braking negatively affect your battery. Accelerating slowly and maintaining a consistent speed, as well as easing into stops, maximizes your battery range. Respecting the posted speed limits will also help enhance your EV’s battery health and range, as you will have a lower risk of needing to rapidly slow down to turn or avoid traffic.
EV range can also vary widely based on the driving environment. Regenerative braking can capture an average of 22% of the energy used when driving. This percentage can exceed 30% when driving in an urban environment with frequent stops, but it can be as low as 6% when driving on the highway where you are generally less likely to make frequent stops.
How you charge your EV when driving long distances is another factor affecting battery life. Planning ahead is a good practice, and with many attractions and hotels now including EV charging as an added amenity, it is more convenient to find Level 2 EV charging stations during daytime venues or for overnight charging while you also rest and recharge.
Ideally, well-planned trips should minimize the need to frequently fast charge your EV in favor of Level 1 EV chargers or Level 2 EV charging. Combining meals, venues, and hotel stops with EV charging can provide ample time to replenish your EV battery, especially if you plan ahead to make the most of your stops.
Weather is another significant consideration for optimal charging. Extreme temperatures can substantially impact any vehicles range, and it’s especially important for EV drivers to be mindful of how the weather conditions can affect an EV battery’s life and charging capability.
Cold weather can reduce your EV’s range by as much as 25% when driving at 70 mph. However, your range can be reduced by half when making short trips with frequent stops. Cold temperatures decrease battery resistance, which results in less power being available. Using energy to heat the cabin is another factor that affects range in the winter.
Warm weather can have a similar effect on battery performance. Range typically decreases by 5% at 90°F and can drop by as much as 31% once temperatures exceed 100°F. Driving with the AC on further contributes to reducing the range.
Parking your vehicle in the shade or in a temperature-controlled garage and pre-cooling it while still charging and before driving can help maximize the battery’s range in the summer. In the winter, you can protect your EV’s battery from extreme temperatures by charging indoors, pre-heating the cabin while still charging, and relying on heated seats rather than the cabin’s HVAC system for heat to help increase your vehicle’s range in cold weather. One unique difference with electric vehicles is that they can remain plugged in and charging while they are turned on and warming up or cooling off, helping you to conserve battery range while driving.
A malfunctioning EV charger can cause damage to your battery by not regulating the level of energy sent to the vehicle, or other harmful situations. When plugging in at home, this damage can add up over multiple charging sessions and significantly reduce the vehicle’s range over time.
You can prevent accidental damage to your battery by maintaining your charging equipment. You should perform regular visual inspections of your EV charger, look for signs of rust or damage, and keep the charging ports clean.
If you use a connected or smart charger, your charging data can reveal changes in performance and help identify potential problems. You should also have a professional test your charging equipment regularly to make sure the energy output is adequate for your vehicle’s battery and that the wires and internal connections are continuing to properly function.
Beyond damaging your electric vehicle and EV battery health, an improperly installed EV charger that used incorrect materials or wasn’t maintained properly over time and began to degrade can lead to electrical fires, melted components, severe damages, and more. Working with an experienced licensed electrician who has the proper training and certifications for EV charger installation to install and service your EV charger will help ensure your EV charger is safe and efficient for years to come.
When relying on public charging locations, your best option is to pick a charging network with a reputation for actively maintaining chargers and performing regular charging tests.
One final tip is to check your EV owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommendations for optimal charging, operating, and any instructions for repairs or replacements.
Your owner’s manual should provide additional tips and suggestions to further address EV charging and ensuring the health of your vehicle and EV battery for years to come. For example, certain vehicles offer a “sleep” mode that places them in an optimal state for storage. Your owner’s manual will also tell you where to check for any software updates that will increase your battery’s range and can provide additional information on how the carmaker is working to advance your EV’s range and functionality.
Remember, while technology is designed to provide added convenience to our lives, you will need to do your part in providing the maintenance and support your EV needs to perform optimally. Following these best practices will help keep your electric vehicle in excellent shape and ready to meet all your driving needs.
While planning for travel is vital, 80% of charging is done at home, generally overnight. Installing a Level 2 EV charger at home makes this manageable and straightforward and it’s important to work with a reliable, certified electrician who will ensure you have all the information and hardware needed to optimize your charging capabilities and ensure your vehicle is maintained for years to come.
As the largest network of certified EV charger installers in North America, Qmerit is the most trusted EV charger installation partner recommended by automakers, EV charger manufacturers, utilities, businesses, and homeowners alike.
But don’t just take our word for it. Rated #1 in customer satisfaction, Qmerit’s experienced network of certified electricians has installed more than 450,000 EV charging stations in homes and businesses across the U.S. and Canada!
Give us a call at (888) 272-0090 or complete our online EV assessment to find out why we’re North America’s most trusted EV charger installation service provider today!
When a gasoline-powered car needs fuel, you just stop at a gas station and fill it up. But electric cars bring some new considerations. Naturally, you want to take proper care of your electric car batteries and make sure your battery’s life span is a long one.
A new electric car with a range of 250 miles might, after a decade or more, lose some of its range depending on how well you take care of it. Battery degradation doesn’t happen all at once, but over time during ownership. On average, today's electric car batteries might lose about one or two percent of their range per year. New electric car batteries are designed for durability and will outlast the usable life of a vehicle.
We are all accustomed to using lithium-ion batteries in our cell phones and laptops, and many of the charging tips that pertain to them work just as well for your electric car batteries! All lithium-ion batteries experience some level of degradation over time – and losses of capacity can impact your driving range. Luckily, there are ways to get the most out of electric mobility with these tips.
Driving slower will conserve energy used from your battery. The faster you drive, the quicker you’ll run down your charge. Over time, taking your time and keeping off the accelerator will increase battery life.
With lithium-ion batteries, it’s best to charge to around 80% rather than to a full charge. In fact, most electric cars let you set a “target charge” of whatever level you desire. Consult your owner’s manual on how to find the optimal level of charge.
When you’re setting out on a long trip and want the maximum range possible, set the target charge to 100 percent. On the other hand, if you have plans to be out of town and your electric car will just be sitting in the garage, leave your car plugged in but set the target charge lower while you’re away.
When parking on a hot day, find a shady spot as electric car batteries hate extreme heat! This will prevent your battery from overheating and thereby reducing your charge.
If you’re taking a road trip and will be driving beyond your battery capacity, search ahead of time for available charge stations. To locate these stations nationwide, you can check out our GreenCars Charging Station Map to find one along your driving route. Or you can use your vehicle’s on-board navigation system. Planning stops on your route using the navigation system has an additional advantage, in that the car can automatically pre-condition the battery to charge at the fastest rate possible.
Electric car batteries work best under optimum conditions, especially when it comes to charging. Temperature is the main influence. Not only does a battery deliver its maximum performance at a certain temperature, but it’ll also charge fastest at a certain temperature – somewhere between 60- and 80-degrees Fahrenheit. When connected to a Level 3 DC fast charger, a battery at its optimum temperature will quickly reach its maximum charging speed and maintain it for longer than if it’s too cold (or too hot).
Depending on which electric vehicle you drive, using battery “preconditioning” ensures the fastest charge times, letting you get on your way sooner. The best way to do this is by programming the charger as a destination in the navigation system. Your car, knowing you’ll be charging soon, will heat or cool the battery to accept the fastest charge automatically.
Using quick charge on your EV battery is a great way to get a charge fast, but every time you use quick charge it takes a little life away from the battery, especially in extremely cold conditions. Reducing quick charging will add battery life in the long run.
One thing worth noting, a nearly empty battery will charge faster than a nearly-full one – you’ll notice charging speed tail off as you start to fill the battery up – so plan to drive longer distances between fast-charging stops and pre-condition the battery before each stop to save the most time. Because most public charging stations charge your credit card based on how much time you’re plugged in; pre-conditioning can save you money as well as time.
Make sure that you don’t let your electric car’s battery deplete completely, as that can reduce overall battery life. We recommend charging when the battery dips below the 30 percent mark.
Most people plug their electric cars in at night so it can charge while they sleep. This is an ideal time to charge, but you need to make sure it isn’t on the charger for too long. If your charger has a timer, set it to shut off at least an hour or two before you plan to leave your house in the morning.
Many EVs let you control charge timing with a mobile app or through the infotainment system and will even let you schedule your normal departure times – letting you pre-set the cabin temperature, seat and steering wheel heaters, and other energy-sapping devices – to be active before you depart. This improves your range as the car is already at the desired temperature when you set off, meaning the heater or air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard.
A new generation of lithium-ion electric car batteries are on the horizon that could last millions of miles. A new technology called solid-state batteries are reported to offer enormous capacity, giving a driving range of over 1,000 miles per charge and recharging times of just five minutes.
In the meantime, battery degradation in today's battery electric cars is really nothing to concern yourself with if you follow our few simple pointers. Battery degradation is a very slow process, and you will likely sell or trade your EV in long before loss of battery function becomes a problem.
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