Any driver who owns or leases an electric vehicle should have a home EV charging station. Charging at home is cheaper, more convenient, and better for the vehicle. But if you’re topping your battery up every night without much thought, you could be spending unnecessarily. Let’s explore some expert strategies to save even more on EV charging.
Charge During Off-Peak Periods
Many electric companies charge different rates based on the time of day. It’s common to have a lower rate for off-peak hours and a higher rate for peak hours. Off-peak periods vary among utility companies, so be sure to check with yours. A common time frame for off-peak rates is between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. If you start charging your EV as soon as you get home from work or school, you could be spending unnecessarily. You’d be better off starting the process right before you go to bed and letting the vehicle charge overnight.
Update Your Software
Many EV chargers get both firmware and software updates. These updates can improve efficiency thereby lowering your charging costs. If your charger supports automatic updating, ensure it’s enabled. Or set a reminder to check at least once a month and update the system as needed. If you use an app on your phone or other devices, don’t forget to set it for automatic updates or manually update it as well.
Install a Local Solar Panel
When people consider solar panels, they often think of large arrays on a roof. Smaller-scale solar solutions are available as well. They include stand-alone solar panels that can capture energy from sunlight and store it in a battery connected to your EV charger. When you charge your vehicle, your charger will use the stored power before switching over to the grid.
Monitor Your Battery Temperature
EV batteries have an optimal temperature range for charging and don’t function as well when the battery is too cold or too hot. For this reason, some newer EVs have thermal management systems for batteries, and such features will become more prevalent moving forward. If your EV battery gets hot while charging, take it in for an inspection, and have your charging station inspected as well. To avoid temperatures that are too cold, charge your EV in a garage if possible, and consider running the vehicle in advance to preheat the battery.
Charge as Needed Rather Than All the Time
Don’t charge beyond 80%. Doing so is inefficient and can shorten battery life long term. Also, only charge your vehicle as needed. If you use 20% a day and are at 60%, you can go another two days before having to charge.
If you need an EV charger installation in Ann Arbor, MI or would like to learn more about optimizing charger efficiency, call Current Electrical Systems, or visit us online.
