Recharging is the new trip to the petrol station, sort of.
You can treat recharging like refuelling, the same sort of logic applies. You can either refuel by a bit or completely top up the ‘tank’.
For EV drivers, this choice can have a big impact on your car and has more influence over your journey and trip planning than you might realise.
As more people make the switch to EV understanding how to get the most benefit from every charging session is going to work wonders when it comes to making travelling and getting around easier.
But what’s the best way to charge your EV?
Top-up charging versus a full charge
Sometimes it’s better to not fully charge your EV. It’s also advisable to not always go for the rapid charging option on your car or charge up every night too. Whatever your preferred way of charging, it shouldn’t be the only way you do it.
It’s better to avoid your battery getting too close to empty, while simultaneously not charging up to the maximum. This means not charging your car up after every use or every night. Instead, think about the journey you have coming up, can you make it in the charge you have left? Or will you need to recharge when you have to stop for a break?
Destination charging
Charging up in a specific location, like at your overnight stop, a supermarket, or somewhere else that fits in with your journey is a great way to top up your battery without having to go out of your way to do it.
Destination Charging, in theory, makes planning your trips easier, as you’re able to have a traditional A to B journey with charging at the end, instead of having to navigate from charger to charger to get to your destination.
This sort of charging doesn’t necessarily fully charge your battery but provides enough of a charge to make it to your next destination, or comfortably make the return trip home.
Finding the right charger
The best way to charge your EV will change depending on the situation you find yourself in, how much battery you have left, and what options are available to you.
Look at the journey you’re taking, if it’s a quick trip to the shops or your daily commute there’s a good chance you won’t even need to think about recharging.
If you’re going a bit further, like for a day trip somewhere, you might want to look at destination charging to make sure you can make the return trip.
When you’re driving further, like a road trip as part of a staycation, then top-up charging is the better option as it can help see you to your destination (while also helping you build the route you want to take).
The important thing to keep in mind is that not being able to fully recharge your battery isn’t the end of the world, in fact in most cases it’s actually better for your car in the long run.
Can you overcharge an EV?
There’s a common misconception that leaving an EV plugged in for too long can damage the battery and limit your overall range.
But there’s no need to worry, most electric cars, especially newer models, have a battery management system that stops charging when the battery reaches a pre-set limit. This will vary from car to car but helps to protect the battery.
Planning your route and looking at the perfect charging method to help you make your trip as stress-free as possible is a great starting point. You can track down the charging stations you need to finish your trip and pre-book your parking using our Evology Parking app.
