Most manufacturers recommend a charging range between 20% and 80%. Deep discharges and frequent full charging can influence the ageing of the battery, but are no longer so decisive, as the manufacturers do not release approx. 5 to 10% of the usable energy for regular use. .
Over longer distances, the battery can sometimes be pushed to its limit. There’s no need to worry here, because that’s what the battery was built for. Even if the charge level reaches 0% during a journey, the car does not stop immediately. It can still be driven for a few kilometers with limited power and speed.
An average charge level of 50-60% is ideal for longer downtimes. This should be checked regularly to ensure that no auxiliary consumers such as air conditioning or app connectivity are draining the battery unnecessarily. In extreme cases, it can happen that a battery is drained from 100% to 0% within a month without the vehicle having moved. A full charge to 100% is not always necessary and is particularly worthwhile on long journeys. The full range of the electric car is then required.
Modern electric cars and wallboxes use intelligent charging. This keeps the battery in the ideal range and optimizes power consumption. Extreme charging levels should be avoided to protect the battery.
For longer journeys, occasional charging to 100% is harmless. A discharge below 10% is also acceptable in such cases.
In everyday use, the battery level should be between 20% and 80%. The best charging performance is achieved in this range. Above 80%, the charging speed decreases significantly.
E-car batteries last an average of 1000 to 1500 charging cycles up to an ageing state that corresponds to 80% of the new state. Depending on the vehicle, this can range from 200,000 (small cars) to 750,000 km for a vehicle The recommended charging range and intelligent charging extend the battery service life. Power consumption is also optimized.
Fast charging is practical, but more expensive and not possible with all e-cars. In addition, fast charging is less gentle on the e-car battery! It should also be noted that AC charging stations are currently predominantly found in private and public spaces. A full charge up to 100% is usually carried out at AC charging stations. DC charging options are mainly available at highway rest stops. It should also be noted that the vehicle batteries greatly reduce the charging capacity at higher charge levels (from approx. 80%). Therefore, fast charging only makes sense up to approx. 80% in order to make rapid progress.
The best charging time for electric cars depends on driving behavior. Experts recommend keeping the battery between 20% and 80%. This protects the battery and maintains its capacity in the long term.
At the beginning, the car is usually fully charged because the driver is often unsure and wants to ensure maximum range. After a while, charging is more random and at times when the car is not needed because the driver has developed more confidence in the range and is more relaxed about charging habits. Later on, charging behavior could be shaped more by convenience and the availability of charging stations, with a focus on suitability for everyday use rather than maximum range.
Avoid extreme charging states such as 100% or 0%. It is better to recharge more frequently with lower power. Do not drive the battery completely empty every time before recharging it. If this happens sometimes, it will not have a major impact.
A charge level of between 50-60% is ideal for longer downtimes. This maintains the performance of the battery. Pay attention to this before longer vacations or downtimes and make sure that automated air conditioning for the interior and battery temperature control are deactivated. This is beneficial for the daily drive to work, but if the car is parked at the station or airport for a few days, it is a waste of energy and annoying if you get into a car with an empty battery.
Frequent fast charging can shorten battery life. It puts more strain on the cells than normal charging. Only use fast charging stations when necessary, for example on long journeys.
The best charging range for everyday use is between 10% and 90%. This protects the battery and achieves optimum charging performance. Stick to this range for a longer battery life.
Slow AC charging at the wallbox is ideal for everyday use. It is easy on the battery, even if it takes longer. Use this method at home or at work.
