Is It Harmful to Leave Your EV Plugged in All the Time?

Electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining popularity as people become more conscious about their carbon footprint and the environment. One of the benefits of EVs is that they can be charged at home, and many people wonder if it is safe to leave their EVs plugged in all the time. In this blog, I am going to answer it logically. If you have questions, feel free to comment below.

Let’s Understand the EV Battery Technology

Before I answer the question of whether it is safe to leave an EV plugged in all the time, it is essential to understand how EV batteries work.

Most EVs use lithium-ion batteries that are similar to the ones used in smartphones and laptops. Lithium-ion batteries are designed to be recharged frequently and can withstand multiple charging cycles without degrading the battery life.

However, lithium-ion batteries do have a limited lifespan, and the number of charging cycles affects the overall lifespan of the battery. The lifespan of an EV battery can be impacted by factors such as temperature, charging habits, and overall usage. I have written many blog posts regarding such aspects; please read my other blogs too.

How Long Does Electric Car Battery Last? What Happens When EV Battery Dies?

Effects of Overcharging on EV Batteries

One concern with leaving an EV plugged in is overcharging. It often leads to battery degradation and ultimately reduces the battery lifespan. However, modern EVs have built-in charging systems that prevent overcharging.

The good news is most EV batteries come with auto-cut technology. The charging system will stop charging the battery when the battery is full, preventing overcharging. Moreover, the system will also monitor the battery’s state of charge and adjust the charging rate accordingly to prevent damage to the battery. Isn’t it great!

Now think about the opposite case:

Effects of Undercharging on EV Batteries

Undercharging also has a negative impact on battery life. When an EV battery is not charged frequently, it leads to battery degradation. Undercharging also causes the battery to lose its charge-holding capacity, leading to a reduced driving range.

Benefits of Keeping Your EV Plugged In

Leaving your EV plugged in all the time can have some benefits, especially if you have access to a level 2 charger.

• Level 2 chargers are faster than standard level 1 charger, and they can charge your EV in a shorter amount of time.
• By leaving your EV plugged in, you can ensure that your battery is always fully charged, which can be convenient if you have a busy schedule or frequently use your vehicle.
• Moreover, some EVs have features that allow you to set a charging schedule, which can ensure that your vehicle is fully charged when you need it.

Is It Harmful to Leave Your EV Plugged in All the Time?

It is not harmful to leave your EV plugged in all the time. Modern EVs are designed to handle continuous charging without harming the battery. In fact, most EVs have a built-in system that stops charging once the battery is fully charged, preventing overcharging.

However, while leaving your EV plugged in all the time is not harmful, it can impact the longevity of your battery. EV batteries degrade over time, and continuous charging can accelerate the degradation process. When the battery is continuously charged, it heats up, and heat is one of the main factors that contribute to battery degradation.

How to Optimize Your EV Battery Life

Indeed, you can do a few things to optimize the lifespan of your EV battery:

Maintain a Charge between 60%-80%

First, avoid charging your EV to 100% unless you need the full range for a specific trip. Charging your battery to 80% can help prolong the battery life and reduce the chances of overcharging.

Avoid letting your battery level fall below 20% frequently. Moreover, avoid letting your battery sit at low levels for an extended period, as this also reduces the battery life.

Maintain EV Battery Temperature

Finally, keep your EV battery within a moderate temperature range. Extreme temperatures reduce the battery lifespan. If you live in an area with extreme temperatures, consider parking your EV in a garage or covered area.

The Points in Brief

In short, you can plug in your EV and set a charging schedule. Otherwise, maintain a battery life between 30%-80% and plug in when necessary. However, charge your EV battery frequently even if you do not use the car too often.

Do you want to learn more about the different aspects of electric vehicles? Read my other posts too:

How Long Does Electric Car Battery Last? Is It Better to Buy a Petrol Car or Electric Car?

Originally published at https://www.aimforcent.com.