So, you just bought an EV and you need to charge it. Which charger should you use and how much should you charge your new car? You might be surprised.
How Drivers Charge
According to the US Department of Energy, 80-90% of charging takes place at home, but drivers often recharge at work, restaurants, the gym, and many other locations to “top off their tank.” While it may seem counterproductive at first, no EV should be charged to 100% or allowed to go as low as 0%. That's because Lithium-ion batteries degrade faster with full discharges. As Battery University explains, "Similar to a mechanical device that wears out faster with heavy use, the depth of discharge (DoD) determines the cycle count of the battery. The smaller the discharge (low DoD), the longer the battery will last. If at all possible, avoid full discharges and charge the battery more often between uses."
EVs perform best when their charge remains between 15%-85%, which is typically controlled by your car’s firmware. Charging speeds and times depend on charger amperage, the vehicle's on-board charger, and other factors.
Level 1 Chargers
Drivers with a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) will probably be happy with a Level 1 charger cord that comes with the EV. All plug-in EVs can be charged with either a Level 1 (1.1kW) or a Level 2 (6.6kW) charger.
According to Touchstone Energy Cooperatives, it may take up to 20 hours to fully charge an EV with a Level 1 charger (which generally adds 4-5 miles of range per hour). This time increases as automakers develop EVs with larger batteries.
Level 1 chargers are very simple to install—just plug into the wall and go. For plug-in hybrid EV (PHEV) drivers, a 110 volt, 15 amp outlet works just fine. Drivers usually charge their vehicles overnight since it takes an extended period of time to charge a car with a Level 1 charger. However, because charging at a Level 1 is slow, most fully-electric vehicle (also known as battery electric or BEV) drivers prefer to opt for a Level 2 home charger.
Level 2 Chargers
Level 2 Chargers require 208/240 volts and 40-85 amps and charge at 20-65 miles per hour. You can install a 32-50amp Level 2 home charger in your garage using a NEMA 14-50 plug or by having your electrician hardwire the unit into your electrical system. Don't live in a single-family home, or unable to install your own Level 2 charger? Don't worry, you can also find a commercial Level 2 charger nearby. These faster chargers are found in public parking garages, workplaces, healthcare centers, gyms, shopping centers, restaurants, and more. You can use the Blink Mobile App to find an EV charger near you.
Many EV owners visit public chargers several times a week to “top off” their battery. In some ways, an EV is like a pre-paid phone; the owner adds more money and minutes before for the minutes/your battery to run out.
The EV Lifestyle
Part of being an EV owner is understanding that it’s best to charge your car a bit at a time. At the mall? Charge for half an hour. At a restaurant? Same thing.
If you're still concerned about overcharging your battery, there are four easy steps you can take to ensure your battery has a long life.
Charge to 85-90%,
Don't drain your battery to completely empty,
Avoid leaving the car in extremely hot conditions, and
Blink works with businesses all over the country to bring powerful Level 2 and DC fast chargers to convenient public places, allowing you to top off your battery as your living your daily life. Learn more about charging with Blink.