Ask the EV Experts: To Plug or Not To Plug? - Plug In America (2024)

FAQs

Ask the EV Experts: To Plug or Not To Plug? - Plug In America? ›

Answer: No, it will not do any damage to your battery. Definitely do follow the instructions in your owner's manual, but know that modern electric car batteries are very sophisticated and very robust, and leaving them plugged in or unplugged for several weeks likely won't do any damage.

The general rule of thumb is to plug in and charge whenever you can, but not every time you drive. That may mean plugging your car in semi-nightly to maintain a reasonable level of charge depending on your commute. Or, if you are without a home charger, that may mean regular charging when you are able.

Electric cars can be shifted into neutral and pushed over short distances, and they can be towed, but only on a flatbed truck. If you do find yourself stranded with a dead EV battery, you really only have one option: Call a towing company to get you to a charging station.

Keeping your EV plugged in during periods of inactivity is generally a good idea to maintain the battery's health and prevent excessive discharge. However, it is important to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for battery maintenance and storage to optimize the battery's lifespan.

All mass-produced electric vehicles today include a 110-volt-compatible (Level 1) charging unit which is able to be plugged into any standard 110v household outlet.

The single biggest drain on your battery, other than actually driving, is climate control. Whether that's keeping you cool in summer or toasty in winter, systems typically require about 3-4kW to run, which equates to seven miles of range per hour to run the air-con and five miles per hour to run heaters.

The Geotab study on EV battery health revealed that while Level 2 charging is often cited as the optimal method for EVs, the difference in battery health between vehicles predominantly using Level 2 and those using DC fast charging was minimal.

“Gas stations will exist, but will have a different kind of model,” said Amaiya Khardenavis, a Wood Mackenzie analyst. And many of today's gas stations will evolve into EV charging stations. “Gas stations are prime real estate locations, so they are excellent candidates for installing charging infrastructure,” he said.

It's impossible to jump start an EV if the goal is to charge the large battery pack that sends power to the car's electric motor and keeps its wheels moving. But you can jump start the EV's smaller 12-volt battery if it runs out of juice; this may be necessary in certain situations.

Gas stations making the switch to electric vehicle charging will be investing in Level 3 chargers, which are the most powerful and generally charge in 20 to 30 minutes, but for multiple units can incur investment costs between $500,000 to $1 million.

Can I leave my EV unplugged for a week? ›

Unless you are leaving the car for an extended period, for example more than a month, your electric vehicle battery will be fine to leave unplugged.

The technology under the hood is radically different, but the underlying truth is the same: It's best not to let the car sit undriven for too long. Electric cars have one untouchable advantage when it comes to long-term storage: You can just leave them plugged in.

If you're unable to remove the charging cable, it's possible your EV did not end the charging session (or hasn't recognised that the session has ended). In this instance, you'll need to end the charging session from the vehicle itself before removing the charging cable.

A 220-volt, 50-amp circuit with a 40-amp draw will charge the vehicle overnight, while a 110Volt 15Amp circuit with a 10Amp draw will only fully charge the electric vehicle in two to three days.

Residential equipment is frequently installed in garages, but outdoor installation and use are also safe, even if the vehicle is being charged in the rain.

You can charge your electric car using standard 120 volt(V) home outlets (Level 1), 208-240V outlets like those used by your dryer (Level 2), or dedicated 480V+ public fast chargers (DC Fast Charging). The time it takes to charge using each of these three options depends on your drive and the size of the battery.

Unfortunately, getting back on the road isn't as simple as adding a bit of fuel or putting on a spare tire. You will need to call a flatbed tow truck, not just a tow truck that lifts one set of wheels.

Damage to the low voltage battery due to running out of range is not covered by the warranty. In the unlikely event your vehicle runs out of range while driving, pull over when safe to do so and contact Tesla Roadside Assistance or your preferred tow provider.

In an electric vehicle, though, things aren't always that simple. Limited driving range, a lack of charging stations, and longer fill-up times mean that EV road trips are usually a bit more complicated and time-consuming than comparable journeys in gas vehicles.

Yes, you can use an electric vehicle for long highway trips. Charging is more frequent than gasoline fill-ups, but it added less time than I expected — probably less than an hour over more than 570 miles in my one-day return home. Many more DC fast chargers are needed.