Here are some tips on how to take care of your EV’s battery.

Why should I keep my EV battery charged between 20-80%?

Lithium-Ion batteries of EVs are most efficient when you charge them from 20% to 80% for different reasons. Firstly, charging between 20-80% minimizes stress on battery cells, reducing  wear and extending their lifespan. Secondly, charging a lithium battery to its full capacity or allowing it to discharge completely can lead to voltage extremes and increased heat, which can be both detrimental to the battery's performance and longevity. Most cars take as much time to charge from 20% to 80% as they do from 80% to 100%. The good news? Most EVs have a control that allows you to choose at what battery percentage you want to charge. We suggest keeping this number at 80%. And with a smart level 2 charger at home, you can easily set the charging percentage to 80% via an app on your mobile phone. By charging to 80%, it quickly maximizes efficiency while prolonging your battery’s health.

What is the best way to charge my EV?

The best type of charger you should use to keep your battery healthy is a Level 2 charger. But first, let’s go through all three levels of charging before explaining why Level 2 is the most efficient for your car.

Level 1 charging uses a basic charger which plugs directly into a regular 120-volt outlet on your wall. This plug is the same plug that you use to charge your iPhone. With a power rating of 1.8 kW, it’s clearly not strong enough to charge an electric car battery in an efficient way. A Level 1 charger can take a full day or longer to charge an EV to an adequate percentage!

On the other hand, Level 3 charging is done through a DC fast charging station. It is the fastest type of charging with the ability to charge your battery to 80% in half an hour. However, it is a massive industrial-sized structure and costs thousands of dollars to install, therefore you normally only see these chargers in public places. Additionally, relying on charging your EV solely with a Level 3 charger is not very cost-effective. With a Level 3 charger, it will normally cost almost or more than a tank of gas, defeating the purpose of saving money by driving an EV.

Not only is it expensive, but its power output is too large for an EV to handle all the time, which in the long run could cause problems to your battery and ruin its lifespan. Charging a battery very quickly signifies that the high currents create high temperatures (both consequences that strain batteries). If you use Level 3 charging multiple times a day, it will degrade your battery rapidly. Level 3 chargers degrade a battery’s lifespan quicker than Level 1 or Level 2 chargers.

Alternatively, Level 2 charging offers a perfect balance between Level 1 and Level 3, and dramatically simplifies your at-home EV charging experience. Level 2 chargers are mostly installed in residential homes, and can also be found in public places. Compared to a Level 1 charger, it can charge an EV up to six times faster, taking the average EV around 4-6 hours to charge to 80%.

A Level 2 charger requires installation. To use a Level 2 charger at home, you need a 240-volt outlet, like the outlet you would use for a washing machine. The Level 2 charger is then plugged into this outlet or can also be permanently hardwired into the wall. On average, an installation costs from around $500 to $2,000. The cost can depend on whether you have enough space in your electrical panel, how far away you want the charger located from the panel or other factors related to your home’s electrical set-up. Similarly to Level 1 charging, Level 2 charging can cost between 2 to 6 cents per mile. Of course, this price can vary depending on where you live, but most likely than not, the price you pay per kWh will be significantly less than at a Level 3 charger. With a Level 2 charger installation, you are making an investment toward a healthy battery. Not only is it more affordable in the long term, but it will allow your EV to live a much longer life thanks to its adequate power output and charging speed.

Where and when is it harder to charge my EV?

Finally, it is essential to understand where and when it is harder to charge an EV. Depending on the model, it is important to not charge your EV straight after driving a very long distance. If your EV does not have preconditioning for charging, it might not be healthy to plug your car into a fast charger after a long drive. The battery has to rest before being charged again. If you do not wait, the battery will heat up, the car will charge more slowly and your battery will degrade quickly.

The same applies to colder weather too. It is advised not to charge your battery if it is cold. Instead, turn your car on, wait until the battery warms up, and then plug in your charger for faster charging.