Top EV Charging Tips

 

Top EV Charging Tips from Our Experts at Liccardi Chrysler Dodge Ram

You can find a great lineup of electric and plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) at Liccardi Chrysler Dodge Ram. Our experts can help you get to know more about life with an EV and how to manage charging and range to meet your daily driving needs. As public infrastructure continues to grow, it's important to plan ahead and ensure your new EV stays charged while avoiding range anxiety. Explore our tips to easily manage charging requirements for an EV, understand what affects battery and range, and help you get the most from your vehicle to enjoy all the conveniences that come from going gas-free.

Top Tips for Life with Your New EV

Identifying Charging Stations Near You

There are numerous ways to find charging stations near you, whether you need a Level II charging station in your neighborhood or a DC fast charger on the go. Search for charging stations near you through your smartphone, charger apps, or even with your built-in navigation in your vehicle. You'll be able to get turn-by-turn directions or learn about different options near you. While charging stations are rapidly becoming more common and available near major highways and points of interest, planning longer journeys and finding adequate chargers along your route is critical to ensuring you have enough range to handle your charging needs. With a bit of planning and getting to know the network of charging stations where you will be driving, you can easily handle your vehicle's charging needs and travel just as frequently as you would in a gas vehicle.

Ensuring Room in Your Schedule for Charging Sessions

Owning an EV is convenient but requires thinking ahead when traveling far from home. Most EV owners easily plug in overnight with an in-home Level II charger, but drivers with no additional equipment can trickle charge using a standard Level I connection. This is useful for EV owners who don't travel many miles daily. However, drivers who frequently commute over longer distances need faster recharging options. If installing a Level II home charger is not possible for you, you'll need to ensure enough time in your schedule to connect to a Level II public charger or use the convenience of a DC fast charger. Your charging routine depends heavily on the home and public chargers available in your area. Our team can help you navigate charging options for your new EV and ensure a hassle-free experience.

Which Features to Turn Off for Faster Charging

To ensure the fastest charging speeds possible, turning off the vehicle while it is plugged in is ideal. However, if you are waiting at a public charging station, you may feel more comfortable using the heat or other functions while you wait for your vehicle to charge. Try turning down the heat or A/C settings as low as possible and utilizing battery conditioning in cold weather. EV batteries are cold-weather sensitive, so warming up the vehicle or using an equipped battery conditioning system helps warm the battery to optimal charging levels in temperatures less than 50 degrees.

What You Should Know About Cold Temperatures and Your EV

Not only does cold weather impact charging speeds for EVs, but it also affects the overall range, which will be lower in colder weather - 40 degrees or less. There are several ways to optimize an EV's range in colder weather. Keeping the vehicle in a garage is ideal but may be impossible for some drivers. Other ways to extend the range in cold weather are to use the heated seats and lower the heat settings. Heating and A/C use a lot of the EV's battery, whereas heated and ventilated seats use far less energy.

Browse Our New EV Inventory at Liccardi Chrysler Dodge Ram

Ready to upgrade to a new EV? Browse our inventory at Liccardi Chrysler Dodge Ram for exciting electrified vehicle options that fit your lifestyle, including models like the Jeep 4xe lineup and Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. Our team can answer any questions you might have about transitioning to an EV, charging options in our area, and how to upfit your home to meet your charging needs.

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