How to Maximize Your EV's Charging Speed

When you're driving an electric vehicle, the entire car runs on electric power. This means that your battery delivers energy to every aspect of your vehicle, from the motors, to the lights, to the interior systems such as A/C or radio. This means that while your car is charging, it's a good idea to make sure that you're not running any other features that may use battery power. For example, it might seem tempting to sit in your car with the air conditioning on, and listen to music while you wait. However, this will be using energy from the battery at the same time as you're trying to charge it, resulting in a slower charging time. For best results, let your battery charge uninterrupted, and then use your features when you're finished charging!

In general, it's best to keep your EV battery away from extreme hot or cold temperatures. This will keep it in its best possible condition, whether you're charging or not. Electric vehicles have what is called a Battery Management System, or BMS, which puts safety measures in place to protect the battery. This includes protecting it from extreme temperatures. As your battery charges, it will naturally get a little hotter. If you're charging in extreme heat, your BMS will engage a temperature control response to cool the battery, which will make it take longer to continue charging. The same can be said for charging in extreme cold. Your BMS system will try to adjust the charging time in order to suit the outside temperature. If you can help it, charging in a mild temperature that's neither too hot nor too cold will result in the fastest charging time!

Whenever you plug your charging cable into your EV, the cable will register what's called the State of Charge, or SoC. This is simply a measure of your battery's current charge, which tells the charger how much energy the EV needs. If you're looking to achieve the fastest charge, it's best to start with a lower SoC. In general, your EV will charge fastest between about 20-80%. Think about when you pre-pay at a gas pump, and the flow slows down significantly when you approach the correct dollar amount. A similar process happens when EV charging. It will charge slowly at first, then reach peak charging speed in that 20-80% range before slowing down again. By starting with a lower SoC, you'll be able to take advantage of more of that faster charging range.

As we described above, your EV battery will charge fastest to about 80-85%. This can be helpful to keep in mind, especially when you're using a public EV charging station. Once your battery has reached about 80 to 85%, save the remaining charge for when you can charge at home. Your vehicle will be able to take its time in achieving a full charge, and you can simply plug your car in overnight, and wake up to a fully charged battery! Home charging stations are great for allowing your battery to charge slowly. When you make a habit of charging your battery overnight, you can consistently count on starting your day charged and ready to go! It's just like keeping your smartphone charged overnight. Once you make it a habit, it will become second nature!

Are you interested in finding a new EV of your very own? You can get started on your search here at Charlie's Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram! Visit us here at our dealership in Maumee, Ohio to check out our latest selection of new electric vehicles, such as the Jeep Wrangler 4xe, or Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. Here, you'll be able to test drive your favorite options, and speak with a member of our sales team about any questions you might have. You can also view our latest inventory right here on our website, and apply for financing using our online application form. You can also view our current specials so that you never miss out on a great deal! Get in touch with us today at Charlie's Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. We look forward to working with you soon!