Where is the best place to charge your electric car?
The public network, home and work are the three most popular places where you can charge your electric car. While home charging is the most convenient, allowing you to top up overnight, the UK EV charging network is continually expanding, with the likes of the GRIDSERVE Electric Highway leading the way. A 7kW charger is the most practical choice for most UK homes, providing full overnight charging without requiring electrical upgrades. W chargers are increasingly outdated, taking 18-20 hours to fully charge modern EVs, while 22kW chargers require expensive three-phase power most homes don’t have.To recap, 3. W car chargers, or any type of 3kw home ev chargers, may not be the best solution for those who want a future-proof ev charging unit at home. In our opinion, a 7kw charger is better than a 3. W ev charger for home ev charging as it charges twice as fast and provides more flexibility for the future.Using a 3-pin charger is safe as an overnight top-up in an emergency, with a modern, properly wired socket, good ventilation and avoiding extension cables. However, if you’re using an EV daily and need regular, reliable charging it’s time to upgrade to a dedicated EV home charger.A rapid charger is rated at 50kw and can zap your battery with 80% charge in just 40 minutes, but homes cannot facilitate a rapid charger due to the amount of power they require. The vast majority of EV Rapid Chargers are located at service stations, rest stops and other public locations.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. Some workplaces provide slow EV charging that employees can use whilst at work.
Are electric cars expensive to maintain?
Electric cars are still a bit more expensive to buy than an internal combustion engine vehicle, but overall they require much less maintenance and cost less to service and maintain as a result. While tax credits and incentives initially made leasing a more favorable option in most cases, economic shifts are making used EV ownership a more compelling option for many. Financing and leasing interest rates remain higher than normal, though projections suggest these rates will begin to decline throughout 2026.Why Is Leasing an EV a No-Brainer? Leasing an EV offers lower upfront costs, affordable monthly payments, and flexibility to upgrade to newer models as technology advances.
What is the 80 20 rule for electric cars?
Simply, the 20-80% rule suggests keeping the battery of an electric vehicle charged between 20% and 80% of full capacity. It’s a method of electric vehicle charging meant to improve battery life. Think of it as the green zone. What is the 80/20 Rule in EV Charging. Ultimately, the 80/20 rule suggests keeping your EV charged between 20% and 80%, avoiding dipping below or exceeding the range whenever possible. This simple guideline can help reduce range anxiety and charging time while also extending 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%.Most drivers will find that charging to 80% or 90% meets their everyday needs and helps maintain EV battery health. Choose the charging level that best fits your driving habits and needs, while considering the trade-offs between range and battery longevity.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.
What is the 80 20 rule for EV charging?
It means always keeping your electric vehicle (EV) charged above 20%, and never topping it up over 80%. We’ll explain how this works and why it’s important. If you’re new to EVs, it’s natural to want to fully top up. But there’s a good reason for the rule, and 80% is usually more than enough for most journeys. 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.Research indicates that while daily charging to 100% can lead to faster degradation, occasional full charges do not significantly harm the battery capacity and help maintain optimal performance and range. You don’t need to micromanage every charge.