EV Charging Guide: Everything You Need to Know

So, you’re thinking of buying or have already purchased a new electric Toyota. EVs have gained significant popularity over the last few years, even though their origin dates to 1890, and Toyota EVs are some of the most reliable machines on the Stuart and Fort Pierce markets. We’ve come a long way since 1890, and electric vehicles are much more affordable and easier to maintain.

There is one little tricky part for electric vehicle owners: EV charging. In theory, it sounds simple enough, but there are some best practices you should follow to maximize EV battery life and keep your car running optimally. We’ve compiled a quick and easy electric vehicle charging guide and what you can do to get the most out of your EV battery.

Install a Home EV Charger

In most cases, when you purchase a new electric vehicle, you’ll likely receive a home charging kit to go with it. If not, we strongly recommend picking one up near Stuart and installing it. Most home chargers are Level 1, which plug into your standard 120V home outlet. These don’t deliver a ton of energy to the battery, so the charging times are often longer. However, this can work out just fine if you plan to charge it overnight, or if your job has EV charging stations you can use.

Level 2 chargers run on 240V, and you’ll need an electrician to come to your home to properly install it to avoid any electrical or fire hazards. The benefit of this extra step is that you’ll be able to charge your EV battery roughly six (6) times faster than with a Level 1 charger.

Be Wary of Fast Chargers (Level 3)

While fast charging is a blessing when you’re out near Fort Pierce and need to top off your battery to make it to your next stop or back home, frequent and prolonged usage of Level 3 chargers can lead to reduced EV battery life over time. Every now and again is fine, but it’s best to stick to Level 1 or Level 2 chargers to not put unnecessary strain on your EV battery.

Tesla’s Superchargers, found all over the U.S., are the best example of Level 3 chargers.

Keep Your Battery Between 20-80%

You might be thinking, “Should I charge my EV battery to full?” And the answer, somewhat counterintuitively, is no, you shouldn’t. Charging your vehicle to 100% here and there won’t ruin the EV battery immediately, but consistently doing so puts too much strain on the battery, leading to overheating and damage. Replacing an EV battery can cost between $4,000-$36,000, so it’s best to stick to following the manufacturer’s EV battery charging guides and keeping the battery between 20% and 80%.

Many EVs have app interfaces where you can set the charge limit, even when plugged in overnight, making it easy to avoid overcharging.

Avoid Extreme Temperatures

While Southern Florida doesn’t get as cold as other places in the country, we do contend with blistering summers. Excessive and prolonged heat can mean bad news for your EV battery life, as it causes overheating and damages the battery. When this happens, the hopeful outcome is that the battery life has been reduced, and it won’t hold a charge as well. The worst outcome is that the battery fries faster than intended, and you’re stuck needing to replace it.

When parking, try to keep your electric vehicle in garages or at the very least in a shaded area to avoid direct sunlight and overheating.

Keep Your Vehicle Plugged in While Away

If you have a vacation planned and you won’t be driving your car to your destination (say for a road trip), manufacturers recommend keeping your EV plugged in and setting charging times and thresholds in the app. EV charging is easier to maintain when you set the parameters in the app to not let it go below or above a certain threshold.

Maintain Your EV Battery

Just like cars that run on fuel, it’s advised to have your vehicle inspected and maintained regularly at a trusted service center. Since many electric vehicles use regenerative braking (which takes the energy built up from braking and stores it in the battery to extend its life), always check your battery health, your brakes, and your tires to make sure the system is working properly.

Stay Up to Date with Software

Manufacturers will push out updates to keep the car running smoothly and help manage the EV battery’s health and life. Skipping these could lead to issues down the road, so it’s best to stay on top of things.

Toyota EVs for Sale in Stuart

At Treasure Coast Toyota, we have the full lineup of electric Toyota vehicles as well as Toyota hybrids for you to choose from. Contact us or call us today to schedule a test drive of an electric Toyota or to explore our full lineup of new Toyota vehicles.