How to Optimize Your EV Charging in IL

Many drivers may not consider how the temperature affects their electric vehicle, but extreme hot and cold can have a big impact on your EV battery! In general, your EV battery will likely perform its best within a range of about 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit. When your vehicle encounters temperatures outside of its ideal range, it will employ certain measures to preserve the battery. This is known as the BMS, or battery management system, and it's a feature that works to regulate the temperature of your battery so that it stays in great shape! Clearly this is an important feature, but it can also affect your charging speeds. The BMS will use energy to heat or cool the battery as needed, which will cause it to take longer to charge. For optimized charging, try to heat up your vehicle in the cold before you plug it in!

If you want to keep your battery in its best possible condition, you'll want to make sure you're handling it properly on a day-to-day basis. Studies show that keeping your battery within a range of roughly 20-80% charged is best for its overall health. Constantly running your vehicle on an almost-empty battery can cause unnecessary strain, and cause your battery to take longer to charge in the future. Similarly, leaving your battery plugged in too long can cause it to over-charge, which can prevent it from holding a charge as well going forward. For best results, you should keep your battery charged between 20-80% during your daily driving routine. Charge your vehicle to 100% using a home charging station, but be sure to set a timer so that the charging will stop once the battery is full.

As we mentioned above, the BMS system can slow your battery's charging, because it's expending energy on temperature regulation as the battery is attempting to charge. The same principle applies to other commonly-used accessory features within your vehicle! If you're charging your EV, you might have the inclination to run certain features such as the radio, air conditioning, heat, lighting, windshield wipers, and so on. However, keep in mind that all of these various features use battery power to operate, so you'll be depleting your battery while also attempting to charge it. For optimized charging, be sure to turn off all the extras until you've reached your desired battery level.

Keeping your battery within that middle range has more benefits than one! Not only will you be avoiding those extreme circumstances that cause unnecessary wear and tear, but you'll also be optimizing your battery charging speeds. When you plug in your EV, it will charge slowly at first, and then pick up speed. In most cases, your vehicle will charge the fastest between 20-80%. After that point, it will begin to slow down again as the charge approaches 100%. In order to achieve the fastest charging speeds, and keep your charging times at a minimum, you'll want to take advantage of as much of that fast charging range as possible. Keeping your battery at around 20-80% charged while you're out and about is a great way to achieve just that!

At Zeigler CDJR of Downers Grove, we're proud to offer a wide range of new electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) to our customers. These vehicles are not only environmentally friendly, but they also offer impressive performance and advanced technology features. From the Jeep Wrangler 4xe to the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, we have a vehicle to suit any driving need or preference. Plus, with our team of knowledgeable and experienced sales professionals, we're here to help you find the perfect EV or PHEV to fit your lifestyle and budget. Visit us today at Zeigler CDJR of Downers Grove to explore our inventory of new electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and take a test drive to experience the future of driving.