EVs should be fully charged each time？
With the continuous development of EVs today, charging is an inescapable topic. Many car owners ask: When should I charge it? What is the best charging frequency? How much is appropriate for each charge? 100%? If I use it without a full charge, will it harm the battery?
The optimal charging strategy for electric vehicles (EVs) can depend on various factors, including the type of battery, the specific EV model, and the user’s driving patterns. However, there are some general guidelines to consider when it comes to charging EVs.
The battery: lithium-ion battery
Before we begin, let’s take a look at the core of EVs: the battery.
In modern EVs, we usually use lithium-ion batteries which don’t need to be fully charged each time.
In fact, it is generally recommended to avoid fully discharging or fully charging the battery frequently, as extreme states of charge can contribute to faster battery degradation over time.
You should keep your battery level in a moderate range, between 20% and 80%.
This range balances maximizing battery life and maintaining sufficient driving range.
Charging: partial charges and reduction of deep discharge
Now that we know what a “battery” is, let’s look at charging.
I believe many people have heard similar “battery has charging life”, many owners are wrong about battery life and charging times are directly linked.
In fact, this is biased. Batteries do have a life span, but it’s not measured by the amount of charge or the number of times they’ve been charged. It’s measured by the full cycle of the battery – after 100% use, it is considered a full charge cycle.
For example, after setting off with a full charge, at the end of the drive, 40% of the power is used and 60% of the power is left. Even after re-filling, 60% of the next electricity needs to be used to complete a charging cycle.
Therefore, from this point of view, we do not need to pursue “full” every time when charging EVs.
At the same time, lithium battery has no memory effect(The memory effect refers to the impact of a battery’s tendency to automatically remember a user’s usual cycle of charge and discharge,
which requires a full charge to maintain the battery’s capacity.). You can charge as you go.
From the perspective of structure, for the power battery, the best state is to keep the electricity at about 20%~90%, which can significantly improve the battery life.
Therefore, from the above two perspectives, EVs do not need to be fully charged every time.
If you plan for a long trip or need to maximize your driving range, it can be reasonable to charge your EV to its maximum capacity.
However, for daily commuting in the city, or short trips, you only need to meet the mileage you need for your trip while charging regularly to avoid over-discharging.
Fast Charging in the summer accelerates battery degradation.
As summer approaches, temperatures rise everywhere, especially during the day.
Under the sun, many owners worry that outdoor charging, especially fast charging,
will make the temperature of the EV too high when charging, affecting the battery life, and even causing safety risks.
In fact, the BMS of EVs will adjust the battery temperature, charging voltage,
and current to protect the battery and minimize damage to the battery.
Therefore, you do not need to worry too much when charging in the summer.
Summary
After reading the above popular science, electric car owners are relieved.
In fact, now new energy vehicles and charging-related technologies are more and more mature
You do not need to be too nervous in the process of daily use. As long as the normal charging equipment is selected,
the charging station follows the charging principle of partial charging and reducing a deep discharge, and there will be no problems with regular charging.
If you have some questions about EV Chargers, please visit our website: www.cnevcharger.com / www.blueskynewenergy.com.
