Charging at Home for Electric Vehicles - How Often and Best Practices
When charging at home, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on your driving habits, your access to charging and the cost of electricity.
If you have level 2 charging and full home solar, it's best to charge at home and keep it at least 50%, higher if you drive a lot. If you need to pay for electricity at home, take advantage of any free or discounted offers from electric vehicle (EV) providers.
For most people, it makes sense to wait until the battery drops to 30-40% before recharging. However, if you are planning a long journey, make sure you top off the battery to 70-75%. You should also set up a charging timer so that when you plug in at home, your car will charge after midnight and still leave you with enough range for your commute the next day.
In general, it's not good for your car's battery life to charge every night. To better charge your car, decide on a Charging Type (AKA Charging Level), Prepare Your Home Garage for an EV, Locate Your Power Panel & Assess Consumption and attach the charger and other instruments with the help of an expert electrician.
In some countries like the UK, low cost night electricity is available for 4 to 6 hours at 1/4-1/3 the cost of day time. In this case, set a charge time slot and typically set a 70% limit or 100% if you're doing a long journey the next day. Make sure to set departure time well in advance - at least two days - as below 10% SOC it will charge immediately to over 10% before pausing. The car may also charge for a couple of minutes to calculate expected charge times then pause again.
Overall, how often you charge depends on your individual circumstances but by following these tips you can save money and maximize clean energy use while keeping your car battery healthy and ready for your daily needs.
Should I plug in my electric car every night?
It depends on your driving habits and charging access. If you have level 2 charging and full home solar, it is recommended to charge at home and keep it at least 50%, higher if you drive a lot. If you have to pay at home, take advantage of the EA 2 year offer as much as possible.
What is the best time to charge my electric car?
The best time to charge for saving money and maximizing clean energy use is between midnight and 3 pm. You can also set a charging timer so when you plug in at home your car will charge after midnight and still leave you with more than enough range for your commute the next day.
Is it bad for my battery if I charge my electric car every night?
Generally, charging your electric car every night is not good for your car. It is recommended to wait until you are down in the 30-40% range before recharging, unless you have a lengthy drive planned.
What should I do to better charge my electric car?
Firstly, decide on a Charging Type (AKA Charging Level), Prepare Your Home Garage for an Electric Vehicle, Locate Your Power Panel & Assess Consumption. Then take the charger and other instruments and attach them to the right position of an expert electrician.
What should I do if I live in the UK?
In the UK there is low cost night electricity for 4 to 6 hours 1/4-1/3 the cost of day time so it is recommended to set charge in time slot and typically set 70% limit or 100% if doing a long journey the next day. Remember to set departure time well in advance at least 2 days and that below 10% SOC it will charge immediately to over 10% before pausing.