Have you just bought an electric car and are wondering how to use a charging station properly? You are on the right page.
Tip #1: Take care of the battery
To take care of your electric vehicle, it is not recommended to wait until the battery is discharged to 0% before recharging it. Likewise, overloading it is not a good idea either. The good reflex is therefore to charge it as soon as the battery level is a tad low, i.e. around 20%.
In the same idea, when you recharge it, remove the terminal when the charge reaches 80%. The idea is to avoid extremes. With these best practices, your vehicle’s battery will last longer.
Tip #2: Avoid leaving the car plugged in when charging is complete
Like charging smartphones, leaving the car plugged in when the battery is full is contraindicated. Thus, as soon as the battery is fully charged, disconnect it from the mains of the charging station, especially if you are not going to use it immediately. Indeed, leaving your car plugged in for several hours, or even several days, can greatly reduce its lifespan.
However, an exception confirms this rule: in winter, when the temperature drops sharply, it is recommended to leave the car plugged in. The reason is simple: some models perform battery heating cycles to maintain its performance.
Tip #3: Charge your car at the right time
Charging your car is essential, but it should not be done at any time. During the hot season, especially during the heat wave, it is best not to charge the battery while it is still hot. Wait a few minutes for it to reach normal temperature before plugging it into a charging station . If you are not in a rush, best to charge it at night, when the blazing sun gives way to starry night.
Tip 4: Once the battery is charged, hit the road immediately
Very often, some motorists get into the habit of charging their cars and then leaving them for a few hours, or even a whole day in the garage, before getting back behind the wheel. This bad habit has the consequence of slowly damaging the components of the battery. As you will have understood, the best thing to do is to start your vehicle as soon as charging is complete. Try to plan accordingly and only charge your car if you intend to use it at the end of its charge.
Tip #5: Only Go for Quick Charges When You’re Really In a Hurry
Fast voltage charging stations can certainly save you the day when you are in a hurry. Nevertheless, this is one of the factors that lead to the premature degradation of the battery of an electric vehicle . You should know that charging a car battery at high speed risks overheating its components and intensely straining its circuits, which can have a negative impact on its condition. Think about it if you happen to charge your car at a public charging station. On the other hand, if you plan to install a charging station at home, install a standard device and not a fast charging station. You can seek advice from a professional like . This company will be able to direct you towards the type of charging station best suited to your vehicle.
Tip #6: Charge your car at the right frequency
This last tip is easier said than done, as it partly depends on the model and brand of a vehicle. There are vehicles that need to be charged once a week. Other models, on the other hand, require daily charging. It is therefore difficult to give a precise answer to this question. Either way, keep in mind that the best time to plug your car into a charging station is when the battery level is below 20%.
