What’s the Best Way to Charge an EV Daily?
As EV ownership grows, one question keeps popping up: what’s the smartest charging routine for daily driving? To find out, we turned to the experts—actual EV owners. From weekend-only chargers to the “always plug in” crowd, the answers are just as diverse as the cars themselves.
The 20–80% Rule: Myth or Best Practice?
Many owners aim to keep their charge between 20% and 80%, believing it’s the sweet spot for long-term battery health. But even among fans of this method, opinions differ.
Some say it’s unnecessary to wait until exactly 20% to charge, while others feel going lower occasionally helps recalibrate battery management systems. And a few charge to 100% when they know a road trip is coming—something most manufacturers say is fine if the battery won’t sit full for long.
Plug It In—Or Let It Sit?
A popular approach is the ABC method: Always Be Charging. Owners using this strategy plug in nightly, often with charge limits set between 70–90%. They believe topping off daily at home (especially with a Level 2 charger) is better than large, infrequent charges.
Others take a more relaxed approach, charging just once or twice a week or when the state of charge dips below 40–50%. A few even embrace Level 1 (standard outlet) charging and say it’s enough for their daily driving needs.
Is Babying the Battery Worth It?
There’s growing consensus that modern EVs are smarter than we give them credit for. Battery management systems protect against overcharging and overheating. Real-world data shows most EV batteries degrade very slowly—just a few percent after years of use, regardless of how obsessively they’re managed.
The Takeaway
Set a charge limit. Plug in when it’s convenient. Avoid extreme highs or lows when possible. Beyond that? Don’t overthink it. Your EV is designed to be driven, not pampered.
