Due to environmental concerns and the search for a less expensive means of personal transport, electric cars are now readily embraced in the market. But there are some specifics in the process of charging an EV battery compared with refueling a vehicle with a full tank of gasoline. A question that many beginners have regarding their EVs is whether or not they should deliberately discharge their battery to 20 percent every night and only charge it to 80 percent or charge it to 100 percent.
Charging to 80%: Rationale
Preserve Battery Health
Among the most common arguments for charging 80% instead of 100% is the desire to protect the battery of the electric vehicle. It is beneficial for lithium-ion batteries not to be charged up to the total percentage of their capacity all the time.
The charging of batteries at 100% is not recommended because the batteries tend to degrade faster when they remain fully charged for long. Charging to 80% is helpful because it decreases the burden on the battery and enables it to hold its charge for many cycles before needing replacement. This can be several thousand dollars over the car’s life cycle, no matter the make or model.
Always Make Sure That You Have Buffer for Any Unanticipated Trips
Another reason to charge only 80% is that it leaves some extra charge capacity in reserve in case you need it. For instance, assuming you got home with the battery at 30% but you have to go out, you still have 20% of wiggle room before having to charge the battery.
If you usually discharge to 100% every evening, you don’t have a safety net in case an unplanned trip arises. You would need to charge again before leaving, and this will take some time. What the 80% strategy does is incorporate a little bit of leeway into the process for you naturally.
The Case in Favour of Charging to 100%
Maximize Electric Miles
The primary cause why numerous EV owners charge 100% often is fundamentally due to the desire to optimize the electric range. With some EVs getting over 300 miles per charge, one can think of it as driving for days without charging if one is willing to deplete the battery levels.
Here, for the folks who make long-distance trips more frequently, getting the additional 20% of electric miles can be pivotal to relying more on public chargers. This also gives one more freedom if you ever need to travel more than the average daily working distance.
Simplify Habits & Planning
Moreover, establishing a routine of plugging in for overnight charging and ensuring that the battery is fully charged eliminates the action of frequently checking its status. This means that starting the day with a full charge removes the stress of running out of battery power or searching for chargers throughout the day.
With some degree of trip planning, a typical driver will likely need to charge up to 100 percent, probably once or twice a week. However, for convenience’s sake, some prefer to do it at night.
Other Considerations
There are a few other factors to think about as you decide whether 80% or 100% overnight charges fit your lifestyle better:
- Battery warranty – Some manufacturers of cars have battery warranties, and one should try as much as possible to keep the charges between 20-90%. Check your warranty details.
- Public charging availability– The more you can charge to a lower percentage at night, the less risky it is if you are close to public chargers.
- Home electricity tariff– The charging that extra 20% is a little stiffer. Calculate your potential savings.
- Resale value of the car – Since battery longevity is a key selling point, keeping most of the battery capacity for future vehicles can be beneficial if one does not intend to retain the EV for the long term.
The Recommendation
Taking all these factors into account, the recommended approach for most EV drivers is likely somewhere in the middle:
- Charge to 80% for usual overnight, per day rate
This prolongs the battery’s lifespan while enabling most driving requirements. It is simple to integrate into practice as an overnight practice.
- It is recommendable to top it off to 100% as and when required.
If you have a longer trip ahead of you or simply wish to return to a full charge after being at slightly less than 80% for some days, it is advisable to charge all the way to total capacity occasionally. This allows you to have a whole range when you need it without draining the battery through constant peak charges.
Finding the Right Balance
In the last instance, it can be stated that there is no right or wrong solution. And it all depends on what kind of driver you are and what your requirements are. The key here is understanding these trade-offs and establishing charging routines that take into account both battery life and driving comfort. We want the 80% daily charges with the understanding that they may need to charge more if required.
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