5 tips to follow to properly charge your electric car
13 March 2021
Charging your electric car is very simple! It’s as easy as charging your cell phone or any other device. Just plug it in and you’re done! You should know that some practical advice can help you optimize your charging and also your battery.
Here are some tips to follow to properly recharge your electric car.
5 tips to follow to properly charge your electric car
TIP #1 : RECHARGE YOUR ELECTRIC CAR
First of all, there is no need to plug in your electric car only when it is almost completely discharged. You can recharge your car every day as you can after 2 or 3 days. It is also not harmful to not plug in your car every day.
TIP #2: PRESERVE THE BATTERY
In general, batteries do not like to be charged to 100% or discharged to 0%. So we try to avoid extremes to preserve the battery. In fact, many electric cars are not really charged to 100% when they are at 100%, because the car is configured to keep a reserve margin in order to avoid extremes. The same goes for 0%.
It is important to understand that there is no problem with this happening from time to time, the problem of extremes only occurs when it becomes a habit. However, it has been shown that battery life is extended when the vehicle is not in extremes all the time. Ideally, the battery should stay in the 20-80% range.
TIP #3: DON’T LEAVE THE CAR PLUGGED IN WHEN CHARGING IS COMPLETE
When charging is complete, don’t leave your vehicle fully charged for too long if you don’t intend to use it soon. For example, if you are going away for a few days without using your car or staying at home, there is no need to leave the car plugged in.
However, in winter, when temperatures are very low, it is worth leaving the car plugged in, as some models cycle the battery to maintain optimum capacity and efficiency when plugged in.
TIP #4: PREHEATING
It is always good to know that in winter, when it is colder, being plugged into the terminal allows for a more efficient preheating. It is better to warm up your car while it is plugged into a 240V terminal so as not to affect the autonomy when it is cold. Note that preheating an electric car uses more current than a 120V terminal can charge… so heating in this way will decrease the range by using part of the battery.
TIP #5: BEWARE OF HEAT
As a general rule, heat and battery never mix. Extreme heat degrades the chemistry of the battery. That’s why it’s best to avoid recharging when the battery is too hot. This can happen in hot weather. In this case, simply schedule a recharge during the night when the battery is cooler and the temperature outside is milder. Again, some car models will cycle the battery to maintain optimum capacity and efficiency when plugged in.
So there you have it, the best tips for charging your electric car. Please note, however, that these are general tips and that every vehicle model is different.
Our experts at BEQ Technology are always here to advise you and offer you the best products so that you are always ready to hit the road. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.
