How often should I charge my electric car?

As an EV driver, you need to know how and when to effectively charge your car – at home and on the road.

But how often should you charge your EV? How can you charge up without damaging your battery? Let’s take a look at everything you need to know.

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Should I charge my electric car every night?

You probably won’t need to charge your electric car every night. Your EV should last around 200 to 250 miles on a full charge – and it’s unlikely you’ll surpass that on a regular day! However, this may depend on your car manufacturer or model. For example, the Tesla Model S may have a driving range of up to 370 miles, whereas the Model 3 may only last around 270 miles.

Although home charging is a convenient choice, it’s not your only option. If your battery is running low, you can use an EV charging app like EV Infinity to locate chargers for urgent top-ups on the go.

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What is the optimal charge for my EV?

For daily driving, it’s recommended to charge your EV to roughly 80% to 90% capacity. This is the sweet spot for most lithium-ion batteries. It will give you enough range to get you where you need to go, but it shouldn’t damage your battery’s lifespan.

Ideally, you should keep your battery level above 20%. If you frequently let your car run on less than that, it may strain the battery and lead to performance issues.

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How often should I charge my EV to 100%?

It’s typically considered a bad idea to charge your EV to 100% every night. Fully charging your car can strain your battery, and this can start to affect its lifespan.

If you frequently overcharge your car, your battery may find it hard to hold a charge – and it may take longer to fully charge up your car. It can even lead to malfunctions and safety issues, so it’s best to stick to a 90% charge. Despite this, there are some cases where you may want to fully charge your car, such as before a long road trip. Make sure to charge your car just before you head out. That way, your battery won’t have to maintain a high charge level for long.

You may also want to charge to 100% in cold weather. This will ensure your battery remains efficient, even in extreme conditions.

Benefits of avoiding a full 100% charge

There are a few key benefits of not charging your car to 100%. As well as protecting your battery health, avoiding full charges can work out a lot cheaper.

It takes less energy to charge your car to 80% compared to 100%, especially as some cars can take longer to reach that last 20%. This can reduce your energy prices – and it’s better for the environment, too.

Always be smart about how you charge your car. You can protect your battery’s lifespan, reduce your charging times and even improve your carbon footprint.

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Best practices for EV battery health: our top tips

If you look after your EV battery, it could last you up to 20 years. Let’s take a look at how to maximise your battery life.

Avoid extreme temperatures

Exposing your car to extreme cold or hot temperatures can reduce your battery’s efficiency – and it may lead to premature battery ageing. Fortunately, some electric car batteries use thermal management systems to regulate temperature effectively. This can reduce the effects of extreme conditions.

Reduce battery strain

Strain is one of the biggest contributors to reduced battery life. This is because charging and discharging leads to contraction and expansion within your battery. Too much of either can start to crack your battery and cause malfunctions. To reduce battery strain, avoid frequently overcharging or undercharging your electric car. Try not to charge all the way to 100% if you can avoid it.

Monitor your battery health

Keep an eye out for signs of battery degradation, such as a reduced driving range or a slower charging speed for your electric vehicle. You can reduce damage by keeping your charge level at 80% to 90%, and creating a regular charging schedule for your EV. Make sure to monitor your battery health, regularly update your car’s software and speak to an EV professional for battery management advice.

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EV charging frequency - everything you need to know

Charging an electric car is all about minimising stress on your battery. Avoid fully charging your EV to 100% and carefully monitor battery health to get the most out of your vehicle.

Heading out? Download the EV Infinity app to locate nearby available chargers and top up your car on the go.