Electromobility: what’s absolutely essential when recharging
They are considered eco-friendly and innovative, boast increasingly longer ranges and are subsidised by the state with some attractive premiums: electric cars. So no wonder that more and more companies are interested in using them in their vehicle fleets. But just what is important when recharging the batteries so as to spare their capacities and at the same time extend the vehicle’s range? We have compiled some of the most important tips and tricks for you.
Fast charger station or household socket: these are the pros and cons you should know about
There is an ever increasing number of public charging stations. But public charging comes at a price. Anyone who recharges their car at home from a household socket, on the other hand, gets off relatively cheap. However, they have to reckon with longer charging times because of the lower energy transmission. Anyone who recharges their car regularly at home and wants to enjoy faster charging speeds is well advised to install a wall box that is compatible with type 1 or 2 connectors. And if the power for the electric vehicles then comes from a photovoltaic system, the environment benefits even more.
The 80/20 principle as a golden rule
What’s good for a smart phone also applies when recharging an electric vehicle: the last 20 percent of the recharging process takes comparatively longer. This is particularly true with fast-charging because the speed is reduced for monitoring purposes. So you can safely skip the last 20 percent and thus maximise the service life of your battery.
Pre-heat the car before recharging
You should heat your car before and during recharging to make things easier for the battery in winter and maximise the car’s range. As a result, not only do you set off in a cosy and warm car, you also have the full battery power at your disposal. PS: Switch the seat and steering wheel heating on when driving – unlike the normal heater, they are much more effective and thus extend the range.
Charge in the garage at temperatures below zero
Electric cars are thought of as being fair-weather vehicles. Not any longer! Even though electric cars don’t always have an easy time of it in winter, the effects of the weather on more recent models are almost insignificant. Nevertheless: it’s best to charge in the garage at temperatures below zero. Because it’s usually warmer here than outdoors, so the recharging time is shorter.
Flat charging cycles spare the battery
From zero to 100? Getting off to a fast start isn’t necessarily the best of things when it comes to charging electric vehicles. Anyone who regularly recharges their car from zero to 100 percent puts an unnecessary strain on the battery. Flat charging cycles, for example from 60 to 80 percent, are deemed to be much gentler and lead to a longer battery service life.