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Interior shot of car charging with infotainment panel displaying battery stats
  • Feb 14, 2024

  • 2 min read

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5 ways to look after your EV battery

So, you’ve got an EV (or you’re seriously considering one) and want to know how to efficiently charge it? You’ve come to the right place.

Charging is one of the most significant parts of owning an EV, And getting it right can not only save you time and money, but can also extend your EV’s battery life. So, what can you do to make sure you’re getting it right?

1. Try and only use rapid chargers when on road trips

When it comes to charging, slow and steady is the aim, so try not to rely on rapid chargers every single time. Instead, mix in some slower charging stops at supermarkets, long-stay car parks, or even a pub.

2. Prioritise slow charges (AC chargers) when you have time to do so

Not sure what an AC charger is? It’s your type 2 cable - the smaller one that only uses the top half of your EVs battery socket.

These AC chargers usually charge between 2kw and 22kw. It’s better to prioritise these chargers as they’re kinder to your EVs battery. Compare it to you taking a slow day at the spa - it’s better for you long-term, but takes more time out of your day.

3. Be smart with your battery level

Charge daily to 85% and avoid leaving your car on a low battery level (below 5%) for days. A good practice is to charge to your needs. If you’re heading down the motorway for two hours, you probably want to charge it to 100%, but if you’re only heading into town, there’s no need to charge it over 80%.

4. Use a smart charging system

Some EVs have built-in smart charging systems that can help extend EV battery life by monitoring the battery’s health and adjusting charging levels and speed accordingly.

If your car has this built-in system, it can work with the Electroverse and Intelligent Octopus and through some really cool tech, can efficiently charge both in public and at home.

5. Driving style

We know most of this blog has been about how to look after your battery while charging. But did you know that driving style can play an important part in battery health?

From keeping your tyres inflated to staying steady on the pedal, there are quite a few ways to both boost your EV range and look after your battery. Take a look at our 5 ways to boost your range blog for more tips.

Want to find out more about charging your EV? Head over to our EV Charging Hub.