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EV Charging Tips

Posted by Caroll Alvarado on 07-07-2025

Funny Facts

Hi Lykkers! Have you recently switched to a new energy vehicle (NEV) or are thinking about getting one? One of the biggest differences between EVs and fuel cars is how we manage charging.

Learning a few smart strategies can make driving an EV much more convenient and help us get the most from every charge.

Today, let's explore some practical EV charging tips — so we can all drive further, charge smarter, and enjoy a better all-around experience with our electric vehicles!

Understand Your Charging Options

First, it's important that we know the types of chargers available:

• Level 1 charging: Standard home outlets — very slow, adding about 3-5 km of range per hour. Best for overnight top-ups or emergencies.

• Level 2 charging: Dedicated home or public chargers — adds about 25-50 km per hour. Ideal for daily use.

• DC fast charging: Public fast chargers — adds 100+ km in about 20-30 minutes. Perfect for long trips or quick boosts.

According to McKinsey & Company reports, most EV drivers do about 80% of their charging at home or work — planning accordingly helps us avoid range anxiety.

Plan Charging Around Your Routine

One of the best ways we can manage charging is to match it to our lifestyle:

• For daily commuting, charging overnight at home works perfectly — no need to wait at public stations.

• For long trips, plan your route using apps like PlugShare or ChargeMap to locate fast chargers along the way.

• Avoid fully charging to 100% all the time unless preparing for a long trip — charging to 80-90% regularly helps preserve battery health.

Experts at Consumer Reports recommend that EV owners adopt a consistent charging routine to improve both convenience and battery longevity.

Monitor Battery Health

Our EV's battery is its heart — taking good care of it ensures longer range and better performance:

• Avoid letting the battery drop below 10-20% regularly — deep discharges can stress the battery.

• In hot weather, try to park in shaded areas or garages, as high temperatures can accelerate battery aging.

• Use the battery pre-conditioning feature (if available) before fast charging in cold weather to improve efficiency.

According to studies from SAE International, batteries last longest when kept within a 20-80% charge window for daily driving.

Take Advantage of Off-Peak Charging

Many utility providers offer lower electricity rates during off-peak hours (typically late at night):

• Set a timer on your car or charger to start charging after peak hours — it saves money and reduces grid demand.

• Some EVs offer a smart charging mode that automatically schedules off-peak charging.

In fact, J.D. Power surveys show that EV owners who use off-peak charging save 10-30% on energy costs compared to peak-hour charging.

Don't Overuse Fast Chargers

While DC fast charging is great for convenience, using it too frequently can accelerate battery wear:

• Reserve fast charging for road trips or emergencies.

• For daily use, Level 2 charging is the healthiest choice for battery life.

• Monitor battery temperature after fast charging — most modern EVs manage heat well, but it's wise to avoid back-to-back fast charges.

Battery experts from BloombergNEF advise that occasional fast charging is fine, but relying on it daily may reduce long-term battery capacity.

Use Smart Charging Apps

Modern apps make EV charging much easier:

• Apps like PlugShare, ChargePoint, or ABRP (A Better Routeplanner) help us locate available chargers in real time.

• Many apps show charger status (available or busy), charging speed, and even cost estimates.

• Some home chargers come with companion apps that allow us to track energy use and optimize charging times.

Smart apps take much of the guesswork out of EV driving and help us plan trips with confidence.

Conclusion: Charge Smarter, Drive Happier!

Lykkers, driving an EV can be wonderfully convenient — as long as we learn a few smart charging habits. By understanding our options, planning charging around our routine, protecting battery health, and using the right tools, we can enjoy longer range and better peace of mind on every drive.

Now we'd love to hear from you! Are you already driving an EV? What charging tips have worked well for you? Let's share ideas and help each other make the most of our new energy driving experience!