How long does it take to charge an electric car?
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Switching from an internal combustion engine (ICE) to an electric vehicle can be an adjustment. Rather than fighting a ‘pay at pump’ service in a petrol station, you are instead contending with charge points that operate at various charge speeds.
With the average UK driver covering just 15,000 miles a year (or 41 miles a day), most electric cars have a range capable of getting you from A to B. Especially with the average range of your typical electric car being 212 miles. However, there are ways you can prolong the range of your battery and improve charging speeds. This blog will look at the top tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your electric car.
Watch your electric car’s speed
Every time you accelerate your electric car demands more power from the battery - similarly to an ICE car the more you accelerate, the more fuel you use. Therefore, the faster you drive the quicker you will run out of charge. By driving only as fast as you need to, you can preserve energy and increase your battery life.
Consider your EV’s temperature controls
A petrol or diesel car has an internal combustion engine which heats the cabin of the vehicle in the colder months. This means you are less likely to need the temperature controls. An electric car does not have an internal combustion engine, so if you choose to use temperature controls it will pull energy from the battery. By turning these sorts of controls off until they are absolutely necessary, you can prolong your EV’s range.
Thanks to the constant advancement in EV technology, some newer electric cars come with heat pumps which can extend the range of an electric car battery. A heat pump uses evaporation and condensation to warm the cabin reducing the need to turn the heating on in the cold weather.
Don’t always charge your EV to 100%
Pure electric cars run on a lithium ion battery that have a lifetime of around 10 to 15 years, but by charging your EV to around 80% instead of 100% unless you are planning a long journey, you can improve its health. Your owner’s manual will have the optimal level of charge for your vehicle.
If you are going away and have a home charger, leave your car plugged in but set it to a low charge to keep it healthy while not wearing it out.
Keep your EV protected from the elements
If it is a very hot day, look for a shady spot to park your car. Electric car batteries are not a fan of extreme temperatures, so if it is stationary in extreme heat for a long time it can overheat and lower its charge.It's the same with cold conditions like snow, putting your EV in the garage or under a car cover will protect the battery from being affected by the low temperatures.
Precondition your EV
There are certain conditions that can help your car perform at its best - particularly when it comes to charging.
At the optimum temperature, electric motors will deliver at maximum performance but also charge more efficiently. For your battery to charge the fastest, you want the battery temperature between 16 to 26 degrees (celsius). At the right temperature and connected to a fast charger, you will see a maximum charging speed and maintain the range for longer.
Preconditioning depends on the car, but prepping your EV ensures you have faster charging times and prolonging the range. An effective way to precondition your vehicle is to program a charge station as a destination into the sat nav. The car will prepare by heating or cooling the battery to allow for a faster charge upon arrival.
Use rapid charging sparingly
Using rapid chargers is a great way to get back onto the road when you need a couple more bars to get you home. However, every time you use a fast charger, it takes a little bit off the battery’s life - particularly in extreme temperatures. So trying to use a slow charger where possible will keep your EV happier in the long term.
Another great way to get the most out of your EV is to charge overnight with a home charger
With a home charger you can set it to charge overnight, but this is not only efficient and good for your EV battery - but it can also be cheaper with certain tariffs. With electric cars becoming more popular, energy providers have introduced special tariffs which offer lower rates charging your EV at off-peak times.
Did you know that you can get a home charger included in your package with The Electric Car Scheme?
The Electric Car Scheme is an electric car salary sacrifice scheme which supports a company in offering employees the opportunity to get a car at a more affordable cost.
Companies are able to lease the car on behalf of their employee, in exchange the employee will ‘sacrifice’ some of their gross salary to cover the price of the lease. In addition to the car, if you have off-street parking, you can add a home charger to your package.
Book a call with a specialist to discuss adding a home charger to your package.
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