So, you’ve decided to switch to an electric vehicle. Though the driving experience is mostly the same and is safer for the environment, there are certain aspects of an EV that differs and that drivers should be aware of before pressing the ‘on’ button. Including electric vehicle charging methods and procedures.
Find out the 5 biggest mistakes that new EV drivers make and ways how to avoid them.
1) Having a Low Battery For Too Long
This is the biggest mistake. And, it is very easy to avoid. In order to get the most out of your battery, drivers should focus on maintaining the battery level between 20 and 80%.
If your EV remains at a low level on a regular basis, like under 5%, you are shortening the life of your battery. Obviously, sometimes this cannot be avoided; for example, on long journeys where you arrive at your destination with less than 10% to go before charging. However, on daily commutes, drivers should not rely on this as it will overall damage your EV charge and battery over time.
2) Choosing Fast Charging Too Often
Using apps such as ZapMap, drivers can suitably find DC fast charging points that are accessible to them. Great for if you are on the go and require a fast charging time. However, occasionally, this is not always the best idea.
The main concern is temperature. To achieve such a high degree of charge, a large amount of heat is generated. The battery cells may be harmed as a result of this. The battery will frequently overheat if you drive a much and charge at rapid charging stations. This can result in irreversible damage.
The best approach is to choose slow or fast charging for daily use and reserve rapid and ultra-quick charging for lengthy trips or emergencies. Hiring your very own EV charger can eliminate this problem; as you can charge your vehicle whenever you like with a slow and reliable charge.
3) Charging After Driving
This is a common error, especially when driving an electric vehicle for the first time. If you park after a lengthy journey or a spirited drive and immediately start charging, the battery’s capacity will be reduced.
It’s far better to let the car cool down before plugging it in and starting the charging process. This will help the battery last longer.
4) Fully Charging Your Electric Vehicle
Similar to mistake number one, a common error is charging your battery to full capacity. Keeping a battery charged all the time can harm it, similar to how phone and laptop batteries deteriorate over time.
If you only use your car for short excursions and commuting, it is far better to let the battery capacity drop to 20% and then recharge to roughly 80%. Consequently, this will help maintain a fully optimised EV battery for future electric vehicle charging.
5) Relying on Public Charging Stations
Unless you have a Tesla, the electric vehicle charging infrastructure can be unstable in the UK. This was a huge problem in the early days of electric vehicles, and while things are steadily improving, there is still a long way to go.
It’s not uncommon to arrive at an electric vehicle charging station that doesn’t work, requires a special account, or requires an app (usually in an area with no signal). This is especially aggravating if you don’t have enough battery to travel to a different charging location. For this alternatives should be considered.
Hiring a portable EV charger can solve all these problems a driver may face. EV drivers can choose when or where to charge their vehicle; avoiding altogether unreliable charging stations. It also satisfies any range anxiety you might face and allow you to comfortably charge your vehicle without damaging the battery.
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Elite EV Charge provides temporary and permanent EV charging solutions for vehicles all over the UK. Whether this is destination charging or hiring charge points for events; we advocate the use of portable EV chargers to help lower the planet’s carbon footprint. One charger at a time.
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