Whenever any new technology arrives, there remains some questions, some confusion among the early adopters. In the case of electric vehicles (EVs), the users often tend to make some mistakes during the charging process, which should be avoided to ensure safety. New EV owners will realize that owning & driving a battery-powered electric machine is a lot different than a conventional petrol, diesel or CNG vehicle. They have to develop new driving habits and figure out a good charging routine.
It is a common sight to see a driver walk along the road with an empty bottle towards the nearest petrol pump. Unlike this, you can’t just walk to your nearest EV charging station and pick up a bottle of electricity.
Here, EVJoints brings you some common mistakes which owners should avoid while using & charging their EVs:
1) Frequent charging & overcharging the battery: Repeated charging and overcharging can be detrimental to the battery’s durability. The battery is the most expensive component in an EV. It is advisable to ensure its longevity by refining your charging habits. On most days, you won’t utilize more than 80% of the driving range, so avoid overcharging. If you drive around 30-40 km every day, its not necessary to charge the batteries to 100% or to plug-in the car every day. EV batteries will last longer when recharged less frequently.
2) Draining: Allowing your battery charge to get too low should be avoided. It is important to keep an eye on the battery charge percentage and keep it in the optimum spot between 20% & 80% at all times.
Also, leaving an EV parked for an extended time whilst on a low charge can cause the battery to drain to unsafe levels. So, it is always recommended to keep the battery at 20% and above if the vehicle will be parked for a while.
3) Overusing DC fast-charging: Opting for DC fast-charging stations should be reserved for days when you’re taking a road trip, when you are away from home for a long time or during an emergency. If you have a home charger, you should use it for almost all your charging requirements. DC fast-chargers can dump a lot of charge in less time.
However, the batteries pay a price for this handiness. Battery performance & longevity may degrade if DC fast-charging is used regularly.
4) Not planning ahead: Always plan ahead and know where the public charging stations are located on the routes you travel, to avoid getting stranded. For instance, you can plan your meal breaks at restaurants with installed charging stations, where you can have your meal and simultaneously charge your EV. Thus, you can utilize your pitstops effectively. To plan your trips, install unified charging apps that assist you in locating, booking & charging your EVs across various EV charging networks. Such EV charging apps also help you find amenities near the stations and enable you to book charging slots in advance to avoid waiting. EVJoints is working towards a platform to interconnect the EV charging ecosystem.
Scan the barcode and download the EV joints app to find 6,000 EV charging stations across various networks.
Click & download the EVJoints app to find 6,000 charging stations.
5) Using a slow power outlet: New advanced EVs can recharge pretty quickly. By using the slow electrical socket at home, it’ll not only take a long time to charge, but those outlets may get hot as well. They aren’t necessarily designed for charging an electric vehicle and the potential for overheating & short circuit is high. Therefore, if you are getting a new EV, consider upgrading your home with a faster & safer level 2 wallbox charger.
6) Not using the right charging equipment: Using the wrong charging equipment can also harm your EV battery. Its important to use the right charging equipment that is compatible with your electric car model. Using the wrong equipment can cause overheating and other issues that can deteriorate your battery life. Every electric car manufacturer provides recommended charging cables and adapters. Using the wrong cables and adapters can lead to either no charge being received by the battery at all or slower charging rates, and other electrical hazards. For instance, just like how a Samsung and an IPhone require different chargers, different EVs require different types of charging cables, so it’s important to use the right one.
7) Leaving your EV plugged-in after a full charge: Although EV batteries don’t accept charging once they reach full capacity, the charger doesn’t stop working. This can overheat and may damage the charging unit & charging equipment (charger, connector, cable). However you can control this by using the shut-off function in your wallbox charger or keep an eye on the charging level through the EV charging app you use.
8) Using an extension cord: It might be tempting to use an extension cord to reach an EV charger located at a distance, but this can be dangerous. Extension cords are not designed to transfer large amounts of electricity and can easily overheat and cause a fire.
Conclusion:
With the technologically advanced electric vehicles available in the market today, you can pretty much charge and drive and charge again, without too much to worry about your battery. Automakers have systems in-place so you don’t overcharge, discharge or overheat the vehicle battery. But while you don’t need to babysit the battery, you do need to respect it. With a healthy charging routine, your battery could last a decade.
Charging your electric vehicle may seem like a simple process, but it is important to follow proper charging practices to avoid common mistakes. By doing so, you’ll protect your EV’s battery life and prevent any potential safety hazards. By following the above mentioned steps, you’ll ensure that your EV and its battery stays roadworthy for years to come.
