Caring for your new electric car could be a challenge, especially if you’re a first time EV owner and don’t know where to start. If you’re not sure how often you should charge your electric car, and if you should charge it to the max, then this blog is for you!
Here, we will give you tips and advice on how to care for your electric car battery, home charging point and charging cable to maximise your electric car’s battery life.
How to care for your electric car battery?
Just like the ones in your smart devices at home, your electric car battery is expected to degrade over time.
To put this into perspective, if your new electric vehicle’s driving range is 250 miles, you might start noticing that it slows down after 12 years to (150-200 miles). But don’t let this put you off buying a new electric car, as the battery will still probably outlive your vehicle in normal circumstances.
We’re all used to using lithium-ion batteries in our smartwatches, smartphones and laptops, and many of the charging guidelines that apply to them apply to your electric car batteries as well. So we’ve put together tips and advice to help you get the most out of your EV’s batteries.
1. Drive slower
It’s been proven that driving slower will preserve your battery’s energy. In other words, if you drive faster, you’ll run down your charge. Changing your habits and embracing the left lane will increase your EV battery’s lifespan.
2. Limit rapid charging - if possible
Fast charging is excellent when you’re on the go and have limited time to charge your car, but it takes a toll on your electric car batteries if you frequently use rapid chargers. While it may seem inconvenient to completely eliminate it, reducing the time you use quick chargers will increase your EV battery lifespan.
3. Not too hot!
Always aim to find a shady spot to park your electric car, especially on a hot summer’s day, because EV batteries don’t keep well in extreme heat (just like an iPhone!), as very hot conditions can permanently shorten battery life.
Remember the last time you’ve seen your iPhone displaying an extreme heat warning? Me neither!
4. Maintain the state of charge between (20%-80%)
You should find the right balance when it comes to your electric car charging habits.
We recommend changing the settings on your car to restrict the charge to 80% and ideally charge your electric car before it gets below 20%.
But, why 80%?
When you don’t fully charge your battery, you are allowing a needed space for regenerative braking to convert kinetic energy into usable energy.
Make sure to only charge 100% if you need it – i.e. if you’re going for a long journey. Generally speaking, most newer EV models have in-built navigation, which will tell you if you can reach your destination with the current battery state of charge. Or you can have a look at Google maps to plan the trip beforehand.
And why 20%?
Completely draining your battery will reduce the overall battery life. When you notice that your battery has gone below the 20% mark, you’ll need to charge it asap.
5. Take your car for regular drives
Like a regular car, an electric vehicle shouldn’t be left for too long without moving.
Taking your electric car for regular, short drives is good for its battery life and overall health.
6. Time out your EV charging
Overnight charging may seem like the easiest, cheapest and most convenient way to charge your electric vehicle, but you should ensure your EV is not being charged for too long. Most newer EV models have timers, so try to set a timer to shut off when it has reached 80%.
How to care for your home electric car charging points?
1. Get your home charging installed by an authorised installer
An EV charging point installation should be carried out by an experienced and certified installer who specialises in electric vehicles and chargers.
Hiring an OZEV authorised installer will be the safest option for your home and will save you money in the long run, as some EV charging points will lose their warranty if they’re not installed by a certified electrician.
An OZEV authorised installer could also advise you on the type of permission you’ll need (if any), and they can also assess if it’s safe to have an EV charging point at home, and which area of your home guarantees the maximum benefit.
Alternatively, you can simply fill out the WarmZilla Survey to get a quote and arrange the installation date in minutes. Plus, all our installers are OZEV authorised!
2. Register your home charging point warranty
A home charging point comes with a standard warranty on the product parts.
The majority of manufacturers require the charging point to be installed by an OZEV authorised and approved installer to ensure the warranty is valid.
Each brand warranty differs depending on its terms and conditions, so we advise you to read the conditions carefully and register the warranty within the approved timeframe.
How to care for your electric car cable?
Some cables come with a 12-months standard warranty. we’ve put together the below tips, to maximise your cable’s lifespan.
1. Keep it clean
You’ll be surprised to know that the most common cause of faults in EV charging cables is not keeping the cables and pins within the charging cable’s connectors clean and dry.
Hence, you should wipe the cable (but not the pins) before storing it to keep the cable dry & debris-free.
Some cables come with rubber caps to help you keep them safe & clean.
2. Check, check, check!
We recommend that you regularly check that the connectors are in great condition (no scratches or exposed parts).
3. Store your cables correctly
Storing your cables safely and correctly will increase the lifespan of your electric car charging cable.
You should store the cable somewhere dry, accessible and close to your car.
Some EV charging cables come with carry bags, you can also buy a carry bag from retailers such as Amazon. They are easy to carry and store in the boot of your car.
FAQs
The simple answer is no. Once your electric car is fully charged, there is no need to leave the car plugged in anymore as it will reduce the battery’s lifespan over time.
Ideally, charge your EV before it gets to 20% and make sure you don’t exceed 80%. This will mean that you have to charge your EV more often instead of filling it to 100% but most electric car manufacturers recommend that you stick to (20%-80%) charge if possible to increase your battery’s lifespan.
We recommend charging up to 80% unless you’ll need to fully charge your electric car before a long journey.
Overnight charging may seem like the easiest, cheapest and most convenient way to charge your electric vehicle, but you should ensure your EV is not being charged for too long. Most newer EV models have timers, so try to set a timer to shut off when it has reached 80%.
