Is It Better to Charge a New Energy Vehicle to 90% or Fully Charge It?
3 Answers
It is better to charge a new energy vehicle to 90%. After the vehicle is fully charged, energy recovery issues may arise, which can reduce the vehicle's efficiency. Therefore, it is not recommended to fully charge the vehicle. Energy Recovery: This refers to when the driver releases the accelerator pedal, the vehicle control unit determines whether energy recovery is needed based on the pedal movement, vehicle driving information, and the state of the power battery. For example, when the power battery temperature is too low, energy recovery should not be performed. When the power battery's positive voltage is normal, energy recovery is activated. Reason for Energy Recovery: To ensure the stability and smoothness of the new energy vehicle, it is necessary to recover as much braking energy as possible to extend the vehicle's driving range.
As someone who frequently commutes with an electric vehicle, I find charging to 90% most convenient. My daily commute is only 30-40 kilometers, so charging to 90% is completely sufficient. I just plug in the charger at night and set the limit, without waiting too long for a full charge. The key point is that the battery is under greater stress at 100% charge, which can accelerate aging and reduce range, so 90% is a good balance. I also only charge my phone to 80% for the same reason. Don't worry about occasional needs—if a long trip comes up, just charge to 100% in advance. Remember to avoid charging during high-temperature periods; in summer, it's best to charge in the early morning or evening to extend battery life. Once you develop this habit, your car will remain stable with less hassle, ensuring safety and peace of mind.
As a car owner who prioritizes long-term vehicle maintenance, choosing to charge only up to 80-90% is definitely wiser than fully charging. At high charge levels, the battery's chemical structure becomes unstable, leading to accelerated aging and capacity degradation. Frequent full charges can significantly reduce range after just a few years. Although modern battery management systems offer protection, avoiding full charges in daily use is the most reliable approach. I schedule my charging sessions and set upper limits for protection. Additionally, charging slows down considerably beyond 80%, making it time-consuming and unnecessary. High ambient temperatures during charging further damage the battery, so extra caution is needed in summer. In the long run, this practice saves the high cost of battery replacement. Remember, an occasional full charge is fine, but avoid doing it frequently.