Whether to charge your EV to 100% has gotten complicated with all the conflicting advice and battery chemistry discussions flying around. As an electrician who’s installed hundreds of home charging systems and heard every concern from EV owners, I learned everything there is to know about optimal charging practices. Today, I’ll share it all with you.
The Short Answer
Probably should have led with this section, honestly — for daily driving, no, you shouldn’t routinely charge to 100%. Most manufacturers recommend keeping the charge between 20-80% for regular use. But it’s not as dramatic as some people make it sound.
Why Batteries Don’t Love Full Charges
Lithium-ion batteries experience stress at very high and very low charge states. That’s what makes the 20-80% range endearing to us efficiency types — it keeps the battery in its comfort zone. Cells held at 100% for extended periods degrade faster than those kept at moderate charge levels.
This doesn’t mean charging to full once in a while ruins your battery. It means doing it daily, every day, for years accelerates normal wear.
When 100% Makes Sense
Heading out on a road trip? Charge to 100%. The extra range matters more than the tiny wear increment. If you’re using the full charge within a few hours, the battery isn’t sitting stressed for long.
Some newer EVs have “trip mode” settings that temporarily allow full charging when you need maximum range, then revert to daily limits.
Practical Daily Charging
Set your charger’s limit to 80-90% for everyday use. Most EVs let you program this in the settings. Plug in when you get home and let the car manage charging timing — many will wait until off-peak hours to save money while still being ready when you need them.
For most Northwest commutes, 80% charge provides more range than you’ll use in a day, with plenty of buffer for unexpected trips.
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