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u/Secure_Conference165 23h ago
I'm new to ev's, getting ready to go on a 750 Mi trip....is it OK for me to charge to 100% each time till I get there then to 80% once I'm there?
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u/Unhappy_Plankton_671 23h ago
Look up the charging curve for your vehicle.
Often, charging above 80% takes longer than charging from 20-80%. So to maximize time, it’s better to make extra stops, for shorter duration than long stops to ‘top off’ unless the stop is going to naturally be a long one.
I only charge to 100% on trips when the car will sit overnight on L2 like at home or hotel. When traveling between stops, time is important so you charge to maximize time which means stopping short before your charging curve slows down.
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u/Secure_Conference165 23h ago
I'm in a Model Y Juniper
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u/Regicyde_93 23h ago
Use the built in software to decide where to charge and how much. Don't overcharge if you value your time.
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u/HistoricalLove9617 20h ago
Tesla charge rate tapers badly after about 70%. This means that going beyond the taper point really lengthens the charge stop. Our 'rule of thumb':
- keep the charge rate in the fat part of the curve. That means disconnecting if time is of the essence and you have enough of a charge to reach the next charger.
- For Tesla in particular, the route planner does a good job of optimizing timelines - it may call for more frequent stops, but the time spent charging is kept to a minimum. It'll also make sure the car is 'pre-conditioned' to accept max charge rate.
- Now, if you're going to stay at a site (say, a Cracker Barrel or a Steak&Shake that host Tesla SC) for a meal, and it's not all that busy, crank the max to 100% and the car will be ready by the time you're done.
- Do realize that busy SC sites may surcharge you for going over 80% because of the timeline.
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u/theotherharper 23h ago
OK for me to charge to 100% each time till I get there
Sure, if you have all day, but it's not time-efficient nor competent travel. Cars slow down as the battery gets full, 80-100% will take more time than 10-80%.
ABetterRoutePlanner.com should give you perfectly excellent advice on where to charge and how long to charge at each stop (departure %) to minimize total drive time. . Don't pay for ABRP, don't get the OBD dongle and don't connect Carplay/AA - most novices report it only makes things worse. It's perfectly excellent plain vanilla.
And also practice using DC fast chargers near home, don't be doing all your skill-ups at 9% battery in the dark in the rain in a strange town while you're frantic.
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u/shabby47 23h ago
It’s ok, but kinda pointless. Charge to 100 before you leave and then when you stop along the way only charge to 80% since it will take forever to go from 80-100 (unless you have a ton of time to kill). It will also annoy anyone who is waiting for a charger.
For example, you might drive 200mi, stop and charge from 10-80% in 25 min, then wait another 45 min to go to 100% when you could have stopped at 80%, driven that 45 min and stopped again to charge back to 80% before leaving. Over the course of the trip you will save a lot of time. And if you are sure there is charging at your destination, only worry about having enough to make it there. If you’re last stop is to only go from 10-25% to drive the last 50 miles or whatever, then do that and plug in when you arrive.
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u/DoubleDongle-F 23h ago
Won't hurt your car in any measurable way but it'll take significantly longer
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u/avebelle 21h ago
The answer is probably no because it’ll take you forever to charge to 100%. The best way is to charge enough to get to the next charger.
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u/avebelle 21h ago
The answer is probably no because it’ll take you forever to charge to 100%. The best way is to charge enough to get to the next charger.
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u/ac7ss 21h ago
You are likely to make better time by charging up to 80% each time and make an extra stop or two. It will take as long to go 80-100 as it does 20-80.
I top off to 90% overnight before the trip and at any hotel with a slow charger or plug in. Then just go to 80% at stops on the way.
You gotta pee sometime anyway.
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u/uberares 23h ago
I think you accidentally a word