Full Charge, Full Confidence: A New Take on EV Charging
After years of treating 80% as the golden rule for EV charging, many drivers are confidently shifting their habits. The trend? Charging to 100%—regularly. Backed by updated battery health data and real-world experiences, this approach is gaining traction among EV owners looking for simplicity without sacrificing longevity.
Rethinking Battery Limits
Historically, EV owners were advised to stay within the 20-80% charge range. The goal was to reduce long-term battery degradation. But new insights show this isn’t always necessary—especially for daily drivers.
According to data shared by Geotab, moderate use and smart design have made battery degradation less of a concern. Most EVs include built-in buffers, meaning a full charge on the dashboard isn’t truly 100%. This extra margin protects battery health behind the scenes.
Practical Charging for Everyday Life
Drivers are now leaning into a more relaxed philosophy: treat your EV like a gas car. Use it, recharge it fully when needed, and don’t overthink it. For those who use their EV primarily for commuting, the small difference in long-term range loss—if any—is often not worth the stress of micromanaging charge levels.
Charging to full isn’t about ignoring battery science—it’s about understanding how far battery tech has come. Avoiding excessive fast charging, not letting the battery sit at 100% for days, and using level 2 home charging are more impactful for long-term health than capping at 80%.
Simplicity Is Sustainable
For most drivers, real-life convenience matters more than theoretical degradation. Many EVs can still retain over 90% of battery health after 100,000 miles—even with regular full charges.
Ultimately, EV charging doesn’t need to be a math equation. The modern EV is built to handle more than we give it credit for. As charging tech, software, and battery chemistry improve, so too can our trust in using them without hesitation.
