Is there anywhere to charge an electric car for free?
Car parks Taken together, public, retail and workplace car parks have by far the highest number of free EV charging devices, at 500. As with accommodation and also supermarkets, many retailers use free charging as a way to attract loyal customers. Yes, you may be able to find some free electric car chargers at supermarkets, but very few remain. Big supermarket chains such as Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Aldi and Asda were at the forefront of offering free charging for customers during the early stages of the EV revolution.The cheapest way to charge your electric vehicle would be to rely completely on free charging points, but this might not be the most convenient. You’ll often find that only slow or fast chargers are free of charge, and you might not fancy hanging around in public for long enough to get a full charge on a regular basis.
What is the cheapest way to charge an electric car?
You can charge your electric car at home using a 3-pin plug or installing a wall-mounted slow EV charger next to your parking space. Home charging is typically the cheapest option for charging up. You can charge your electric vehicle at home with a standard 120V outlet, and it will work just fine for some drivers – specifically if you have a short daily commute, don’t mind slow charging, or drive a plug-in hybrid, the Level 1 EV charger will likely work for you.You can charge your electric car using standard 120 volt(V) home outlets (Level 1), 208-240V outlets like those used by your dryer (Level 2), or dedicated 480V+ public fast chargers (DC Fast Charging). The time it takes to charge using each of these three options depends on your drive and the size of the battery.There are currently three charging options available to EV drivers: Levels 1, 2, and 3 (also called DC Fast Charging). If you drive with any regularity, you could end up using all three at some point.
Should I charge my EV to 80% every night?
Ideally, you should keep your battery between 20 and 80% to maintain good battery health and prolong battery life. It’s also better to charge as little as possible, while keeping your battery above the recommended 20% and below 80%. Charging every day, when it’s not necessary, will degrade your battery faster. Charging to 100% is okay occasionally—like before a long trip, in cold weather, or for BMS recalibration—but doing it too often can speed up battery wear. Sticking to moderate charge levels is a simple way to maintain performance and reduce long-term degradation.Charging to 100% won’t destroy your phone, but keeping it full all the time can wear the battery faster. Keep it between 20% and 80% when you can, and avoid heat.Explanation: Leaving a device plugged in after it is fully charged can cause the battery to overheat, which might reduce battery life or damage the device over time. Modern devices have protections to minimize risk, but overheating can still occur if left plugged in continuously.Battery degradation: Modern smartphones use lithium-ion batteries, which are designed to stop charging once they reach 100%. However, keeping the phone plugged in for extended periods can keep the battery in a high-stress state, which can accelerate degradation over time.
What is the 80 20 rule for EV charging?
The 80/20 rule for lithium batteries recommends: Charge up to 80% for daily use. Charge to 100% only when needed, such as before a long trip or a full discharge cycle. Avoid letting the battery discharge lower than 20%. Generally speaking, don’t charge your battery every day unless need be. EV Battery performance and durability can deteriorate if the charger is used constantly. Charging should be minimized to help prolong high-voltage battery life.The 80/20 rule for lithium batteries recommends: Charge up to 80% for daily use. Charge to 100% only when needed, such as before a long trip or a full discharge cycle. Avoid letting the battery discharge lower than 20%.
How often should I charge my EV to 100%?
Conclusion. Charging your EV 100% only when you need the full range, such as for long trips is highly advisable. If you want your battery to last, it’s best to keep the charge level between 20% and 80% for daily usage. Ultimately, the 80/20 rule suggests keeping your EV charged between 20% and 80%, avoiding dipping below or exceeding the range whenever possible.Battery Stress: Frequent rapid charging can stress EV batteries, potentially reducing their lifespan. Limited Availability: Fast-charging stations are often less common than regular charging options, particularly in some areas.It’s best to keep your EV’s charge between 20% and 80% most days. Daily top-ups prevent the need for full charges which helps maintain battery health. If you charge the EV battery up to 100% regularly, it can strain it. Conversely if you regularly let it drop too low, it can cause the battery to wear.