When you’ve been driving a fuel-powered car for so long, the biggest difference you’ll find when switching to an EV is charging it up electrically. From charger types to charging speeds, the experience can seem mystifying at first, but it needn’t be.
Whether you are brand new to electric cars or an established EV driver, these electric car charging tips will help you elevate your charging game and extend your EV battery’s lifespan.
Limit rapid charging
When you’re topping up mid-long-distance journey, rapid Level 3 DC chargers are a godsend, but they shouldn’t be relied on too often or be the main source of power. Each use of rapid chargers reduces a small amount of the battery’s life.
Never charge your EV to 100%
We’re used to fully charging mobile phones, so it’ll be fine to power-up the EV to 100%, right? Wrong. Charging an electric car to 100% can degrade its battery life quicker.
Similar to mobile phone batteries, It is recommended the car battery level is always kept around 25% – 80%. This way, it’ll maximise the battery’s lifetime. Furthermore, it allows space for the EV’s regenerative braking to top up the battery with kinetic energy.
Use a smart charger at home
Save money with this electric car charging hack. The government’s Future Fuels and Vehicles Strategy estimates around 75% of EV charging occurs at home, so it makes sense to arm yourself with a high-performance charging solution.
Not only will smart chargers charge up to three times quicker than the standard one that comes with your EV, but it will also intelligently charge your car at the cheapest time of day or night. As part of our Smart evCharger Plan, for just $44.95 a month you will have a smart charger at home and 12 months’ free public charging on the Evie network.
Don’t recharge immediately after long journeys
An important electric vehicle charging tip to remember is to let the battery rest when you’ve completed a long drive. Since it will be hot, charging it straight away is not a good idea, so allow it to cool down for a few hours first.
Download a reliable EV charging app
So that you always know where the nearest charging station is, download a reliable app to help you meticulously plan your journey. PlugShare is the most comprehensive app giving you a complete overview of Australia’s charging stations, while Evie Networks’ details all ActewAGL’s chargers in the ACT.
Summary
- Limit rapid DC charging to prolong battery life.
- Keep your battery around 25% – 80% capacity as much as possible.
- Use a smart charger at home to save money.
- Let your EV battery cool down after long journeys before recharging it again.
- Download a reliable EV charging app so you can always locate the nearest charging station.
Are you considering making the switch to an electric vehicle? ActewAGL can help you effortlessly find, finance and charge your EV. Discover how ActewAGL can support your transition to sustainable driving today.
