How to Optimize Your EV Charging Michigan

In general, the goal is to charge your EV as quickly as possible, in order to keep your pit-stops at a minimum, and get on with your journey. While you're charging, You might want to sit in the car and run certain features while you wait, such as your radio, A/C or heat, lighting, or even the windshield wipers. However, keep in mind that the more features you use while charging, the longer it will take to achieve a full charge. This is simply because EVs use the battery's charge to power all of those features, so the more you use, the more energy you'll be using. By turning off those various accessories, 100% of the energy from the charging cable will be going directly to your battery, leading to a faster charging time.

If you've ever charged an electric vehicle, then you may have heard of the SoC. This stands for the State of Charge, which refers to your battery's initial charge when you plug it in. In general, your EV will charge more quickly when you start with a lower SoC. When you plug in your EV, you'll notice that it will charge slowly if the battery is fully depleted, and then reach the fastest charging speed between roughly 20-80%. After that point, the charging time will slow down again as you approach 100%. To make your charging time as efficient as possible, you'll want to take advantage of as much of that fast-charging range as possible. Try to wait until your battery is below about 30%, and then charge it to about 80% to get the quickest charging time.

As we've mentioned, your EV battery will charge the fastest between roughly 20 and 80%. However, there's another reason why you might want to keep your battery in this range at all times! In general, it can cause unnecessary wear and tear on your battery if you are consistently letting it fully deplete. Your car must work harder to continue driving on a very low charge, which can wear out your battery, and make it harder for you to hold a charge over time. Similarly, if you keep your car plugged into your home charger without setting the charging timer or keeping an eye on it, then it might sit plugged in for too long, which can wear out the battery, and cause you to lose your charge faster. If you're planning on driving around for the day, try to keep your battery within that 20-80% range as much as possible.

One factor that can have a significant impact on your EV's charging time is the temperature. Your battery has a BMS, or battery management system, which helps regulate the battery's temperature so that it works properly. When you charge in extreme hot and cold temperatures, you'll lose energy to the BMS as it attempts to bring your battery to the correct temperature. The "easiest" temperature for your EV's battery will likely be between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit. If you can help it, try to keep your vehicle within this range while charging. You can also be proactive in cold temperatures by running your heat, and driving a bit to let your car warm up before you head to the charging station. This will help your battery charge efficiently, and keep it in great condition.

At Rochester Hills Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, we offer a wide range of EV and PHEV options, such as the Jeep Wrangler 4xe and Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe. These vehicles offer exceptional performance and efficiency, without sacrificing the rugged capability and iconic style that Jeep is known for. Our team of knowledgeable sales professionals is always on hand to help you find the perfect EV or PHEV to suit your needs and budget. Plus, with our commitment to customer service, you can trust that we'll be there to support you every step of the way, from choosing your new vehicle to maintaining and servicing it at our on-site service center. So if you're looking to upgrade to a more eco-friendly vehicle, come visit us at Rochester Hills Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and explore our selection of new EV and PHEV inventory. We can't wait to help you get behind the wheel of your dream car!