Should You Charge Your Electric Car Every Night?

It’s no surprise that electric cars—also referred to as electric vehicles (EVs)—are becoming more and more popular each year. According to research from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, driving an EV can save you over $10,000 on fuel costs over a 15 year period in comparison with gasoline-powered vehicles. While there are many other benefits to driving an EV, there are also some changes they require, like electric vehicle charging.

If you are one of the millions of people around the world going electric, you may find yourself asking an important question: should I charge my electric car every night? In this article, we’ll discuss the different factors that play into EV charging and the best practices for the longevity of your battery.

How Often Do You Have to Charge an Electric Car?

How often you charge your EV depends on how much you use it and how far you drive each day. Generally, you shouldn’t charge your EV to 100% battery every single night because charging cycles can degrade your battery. Most EVs on the market have a range of a few hundred miles on a single full charge. Unless you are driving long distances every day, that charge should last you a few days. If you keep electric cars charging for too long it can affect the lifespan of the lithium-ion battery.

You should also prioritize electric car charging at home. Fast-chargers are very convenient when you need a quick refuel, but relying on them too much can impact your battery’s performance. In addition to not charging your EV every night, there are also a few other ways to extend the lifespan of your EV’s battery.

While you shouldn’t need to charge your EV every night, there are some circumstances where you would want to make sure the battery is charged to 100%, including:

  • During cold weather to ensure your car continues to perform at an optimal level
  • To help you power your home in case of an emergency (if you have the proper charging setup)

Get Involved

At Drive Clean Bay Area, we believe EVs are vital to a cleaner future, whether they are for driving, towing, outdoor needs, powering your house when you lose power, or driving in the cold. We host regular events to keep you informed of the latest vehicles, innovations, and financial incentives, as well as offer an EV Buying and Driving Guide.

Our EV Discount Program runs twice a year, providing limited-time savings events with discounted pricing on a variety of new battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Sign up now to get notified when we announce this year’s EV Discount vehicles!