If you are thinking of switching to an electric vehicle (EV), the first question you are probably asking yourself is how often will you have to charge it. There are many factors to determine; how often you will have to top up your EV and whether ‘range anxiety is going to be something of concern to you.
Factors that Affect Charging an Electric Vehicle
Electric vehicle charging is now easier than ever before thanks to portable EV charging solutions and charging stations now becoming widely available. However, that doesn’t change the fact it still takes longer to top up an electric vehicle than it does to fill up a normal vehicle. While there is no way to determine exactly when you need to fill up there are some things that will increase your time between charges.
The first and most obvious way to increase or decrease your time between the charging is how often you drive your electric vehicle. If you are someone who uses their car regularly then you will most likely need to top up more than someone who uses their vehicle to pop to the shops and back. The size of your vehicle’s battery will also determine how often you will need to top up.
The majority of the new electric vehicles will be able to manage a 200-mile range on a full charge. If the average person were to drive 20 miles a day, then the charge is more than comfortable to cover the daily driving habits for a week or more. It also means you will not have to charge the battery to full every day.
Unfortunately, the weather also impacts electric vehicles. Not only does cold weather affect your range, but it also affects the time it takes to charge your vehicle. For helpful information on how to look after your electric vehicle in the colder months, read our previous article.
Top-Up Charging
The majority of manufacturers will inform you of how long it will take your electric vehicle to charge from 0-80%. This is because when the battery reaches near its capacity, the charging significantly slows down.
However, there is no need to worry about the charge slowing down as you do not need to charge to 100% every time. Electric vehicle manufacturers recommend that you stay between 20-80% charge. This is because it will help you maintain and maximise your battery’s longevity.
How to Not Run Out of Charge
Firstly you need to plan when and where you are going to charge your electric vehicle. Though charging stations are great for when you are out and about, not every location has them. Why not install a portable charging point at your home or business to make sure you can get from A to B with ease. The benefit of a portable charging solution means you don’t have to worry about connecting to the grid.
It is also important to take into account charging time. Each electric vehicle will charge at a different rate, some may be faster than others. If you are planning on doing a road trip across the country it might be a good idea to plan where you can top up along the way.
Our Services
Here at Elite EV, we provide temporary and permanent portable EV charging solutions for electric vehicles across the UK. We aim to lower the planet’s carbon footprint one charge at a time and move the UK towards a greener society. We want to assure electric vehicles can charge anywhere at any time. If you are interested in our services fill out our online form and a member of our team will be in touch. You can also follow us on Instagram for daily tips and news on the EV community.