5 Rules Every EV Owner Needs to Know

EVs offer significant advantages over gas-powered vehicles, but if you're new to the world of electric cars, they can be confusing. From choosing a trim level to planning a road trip, here are five easy rules every electric vehicle owner should know and follow so they can get the most out of their car, truck, or SUV.
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⏱️ Chapters
0:00 Introduction
0:30 What Type of Charger Should You Install?
1:33 What Should You Avoid?
2:16 Do This Before A Road Trip
4:00 Go Big or Go Home
5:04 What is the Most Important Tip?
6:43 Write These Down!
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📚 EV Pulse has all the information you need to master Electric Vehicles! How do you reduce range anxiety? Should you keep your car constantly charged? All of those questions and more are ones we want to help you answer, so you can be an expert when it comes to EVs.
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[@EVPulse]

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[@BTC909]

80-85% for NCA & NMC batteries. 100% for LFP.

[@l10industries]

Just as an aside, you are still doing damage to your LFP battery by charging it to 100%. It is just offset by the order of magnitude longer they last than NMC. That being said, I'd still probably charge to 100%.

[@barryw9473]

@@l10industries Once a week 100% for LFP should be good enough for BMS to calibrate. Agree 100% daily is bad for LFP, though less damaging than for NCM or NCA.

[@BTC909]

Same, once the battery warranty is about gone sell it.@@l10industries

[@cherrytreepermaculture756]

We have used Level 1 chargers for our 2 EVs with good success based.on hownfar we drive daily.

[@craigcole5497]

That's great, saves you the cost of buying a Level 2 charger and potentially getting it installed. I suspect Level 1 isn't quite enough for most drivers, but everyone's needs are different. Thanks! - Craig

[@BoricuaFez]

Had a range anxiety moment with our 2019 BMW i3, so we tested out a DC Fast charging, successful battery pick up from 27% to 75% enough to get us home .

[@Evan_Land]

I have a Bolt EUV, work from home, only charge level 1 (at 12 amps) and drive an average of 40 miles per day 5 days a week. This has worked well for me so far since I stay plugged in around 16 hours a day (charging 4 miles per hour for a total of ~60 miles of charge increase per day). My drive is half highway, half city. That said, consider a level-2 charger a must for anyone who can't charge all day.

[@normt430]

We have 2018 CT6 2.0E plug-in with 40 miles of EV range before gas engine kicks on. We charge mostly at 8-amps at home over night with free charging from work.

[@barryw9473]

Studies have shown there is very little difference between heavy DCFC usage and mostly AC charging. While it is better to mostly AC charge, exclusive DCFC will add a small amount of degradation. You need to add a 6th rule that is more important than avoiding DCFC: Do not charge to 100% on a daily basis and do not leave pack at 100% for more than a few hours, and especially avoid 100% when very hot. Get a car with a pack large enough so 100% charging is a rare occurrence. Charge daily to a max of 80% and less if you do not need the range. Waking up to what you need for the day, not a full pack, is the best practice for battery longevity.

[@craigcole5497]

Great suggestion. Thanks for watching and commenting! - Craig

[@l10industries]

This is exactly it. It is a heat issue, not a speed issue as far as charging is concerned.

[@travisyarbrough4033]

New studies say to top off the battery once a month if you are a commuter only. Under 90% for the other 29 days. Stanford has done a lengthy study and concluded topping off once a month helps level out the cells and give the batteries a better " Life " Maybe

[@niceguyny1]

As an EV owner for over a year, this is good advice.

[@craigcole5497]

Thanks for watching! What EV do you own? - Craig

[@hughmacgregor5435]

I have a Mitsubishi I-miev. It's 12 years old. One cell, that's right just one cell dropped. It has only ever been recharged from a normal 240 volt household socket (Australia). I was getting over 100 Kms range (16.5kw) battery. I can put a new 30kw battery in it. But the cost is way up there. But the range goes up to 250 Kms easy. Some say 270kms. I know that's more than enough for me here in Sydney. So it's a choice. Sell it with a few new cells and use that money and the money I would pay for the new battery plus another $15,000 and buy a new EV. But here's the thing. Most cars depreciate at $100 per week or more. But the i-miev is already depreciated to its maximum. So the depreciation would be just the battery now. That's about $25 per week over the next 10 years. So is it a good idea for people to buy a used EV cheap and put a new battery in it. Because you are saving at least $75 per week. That's over 300% saving. This never dawns on anyone on the internet making KZbin vids etc. Nobody at all. Anywhere. But I have. Why is it just me that thinks of this. Or am I wrong somewhere. Plus it will save a lot of EVs ending up on the scrap heap. And it's good for the environment. Not that many people care about the environment it seem these days. Particularly here in Australia. What do you think?

[@jluis333]

Rule number 6 get a tesla if you don't want to worry about charging on roadtrips. Found a model 3 rwd with a 78kw battery and on the road can't get time to have a leak and snack. the map software will show you the stops and time you need to charge which is quite nifty (unless there is no supercharger around then it just says no can do and you have to pull out your abetterrouteplanner to find a ccs station somewhere)

[@MrJinske]

I have driven evs since 2012 and have excellent home charging. I always charge my evs to 100% everyday, I treat them just like cellular phones, I don't worry about degradation. They don't lose much at all. Just drive and enjoy them it's simple plug and unplug and drive don't worry.

[@JBsC6]

Good insights Craig Cole. Thank you.

[@jesseh.5141]

Thank you for the great video!! We've onwed an EV for a couple of years now and it is refreshing to find videos that promote the use of EV's without a "but". Each and everyone of those rules are right on point.

[@EVPulse]

Thank you so much for your kind words! It means a lot to hear that the video resonated with you.

[@craigcole5497]

Thank you so much for watching and for your kind words! - Craig

[@dellusionportland8867]

Great tips, but i don't really worry about charging to 80%, because i got enough range to my destination and back with my Ariya. However, this was a very important, well informed and most importantly, timely video about proper practises. Keep up the good you and your team sir, Much respect.

[@craigcole5497]

Thanks for your kind words! - Craig

[@geert5811]

@@craigcole5497And also though the Ariay can charge at "only" 150kw the charging curve hardly goes down when reaching 80% that's not only my personal experience but also confirmed by the youtube EV authority Björn Nyland

[@alanpeterson6768]

Range is nice, but overrated. After a couple of hours, I need to get out of the car for a few minutes anyway. I try to keep my runs between chargers in the 140 to 160 mile range.

[@yvs6663]

check out what the range listed on sites like ev database is. manufacturers range estimates can probably only be achieved if you drive like a saint in town or keep it under 100kmh constant on the highway. or watch some independant tests.

[@davidmenasco5743]

Yes, the range on the sticker is just like the MPG on the sticker. It's not intended to tell you what range you will get. It's intended as a means for comparing one car to another when looking to buy. Unfortunately, it's not very good at that either. But that's a different subject.

[@dianahartley-kim7109]

Great tips!

[@dougpurdy2720]

Really only need a 110v outlet to put 40 miles of range in overnight.

[@craigw.scribner6490]

Thanks!

[@johngalt5411]

I may be inclined to add a 6th rule; charge your EV with energy harvested from the sun otherwise you are just displacing emissions to a coal or gas generator power plant located somewhere else.

[@edsmale]

No, you aren’t. Even with 100% coal (which doesn’t exist in the US), EV would still have less emissions. How is that you would obviously ask? Electric motors are significantly more efficient than ICE vehicles. Gas engines use upwards of 70% in heat and noise. Only 30% is going to the wheels.

[@BogeyTheBear]

Think of it this way: You can get the power to move your vehicle from fossil fuel burned at a large scale for thousands for customers other than yourself, in a plant that has the space and infrastructure to handle the emissions... or you can carry and burn that fossil fuel all for yourself.

[@muskrat3291]

Nope, not true. Coal and gas power plants operate at much higher temperatures than a combustion engines therefore a more complete burn of fuel, which means less fuel burned and more efficiency. If the US were 100% coal power plants (we are 19.5%) and 100% EV, air pollution would drop significantly and our transportation energy use would drop by 31%. Substitute coal for natural gas, which is cleaner and more efficient than coal, transportation energy use would drop by 48%. Make that 100% hydro and energy use drops by 75%.

[@kevinmoulden-ok5to]

Well, my electric is from a nuclear plant... so I guess I'll turn into the toxic avenger LOL

[@cbatiau2528]

Many communities get electricity only from renewable sources, including my own …. And we are nowhere near Niagara Falls

[@PassportBrosBusinessClass]

I think it's important for people to realize that a "long range" model has a bigger battery pack and therefore will cost MORE TO CHARGE. It's no different than ordering a car with a larger gas tank.

[@YeCannyDaeThat]

Well that's wrong... The cost to charge depends only on the energy you use. i.e. the miles driven. The tank can be tiny or huge. Makes no difference. For example if you drive 300 miles with a car with a 100 mile range you need to charge 3 times to get there at cost "X". With a larger batter you can charge once at... you guessed it the exact same cost. You are paying for Kwh's.

[@GraysonA]

@@YeCannyDaeThat I think his point is that larger battery pack and larger gas tank for the same vehicle = heavier, so more cost per mile for gas or electricity

[@YeCannyDaeThat]

@@GraysonA that would be so marginal it's a non point. You're talking cents per trip.

[@GraysonA]

@@YeCannyDaeThat Yeah, agree. He didn't say how much more to charge haha

[@GraysonA]

@@YeCannyDaeThat I google'd and found out that larger battery pack can be make the battery 25% of the car's weight. This channel won't let me post link in comment.

[@barryw9473]

120 V, not 110, FYI.

[@PassportBrosBusinessClass]

As my 2024 Lyriq is a lease, I'm not worried about the battery life or its health. Winter driving steals range from EV when the HVAC is on and when the car is conditioning itself. Rather than charging to 85% (285 miles) I charge to 100%. (307 miles) "100%" is actually "99%" as they never truly allow you to charge to "100%" . Fine by me, but I want to see at least "300 miles" on that gauge before I leave. The real reason I think they don't want us charging past 85% is because they want to keep the charge queue moving along. These batteries are gonna be toast after 3 years anyway.

[@edsmale]

There is MANY batteries that exist older then 3 years old. Glad you don’t give a f about the next owner. So typical

[@davidmenasco5743]

​@@edsmaleIt's the American way.

[@davidmenasco5743]

Keeping the cars moving along is one good reason to recommend charging to 85%, but there are two other reasons. One is that it does make a difference in battery life, especially if the car sits after charging, which doesn't really apply on road trips. The other reason does apply especially on road trips: On a long trip, charging to 100% at every stop, can cost you a couple of hours of precious time, as compared to stopping at 65% and moving along.

[@PassportBrosBusinessClass]

My cousin lives 70 miles away in New Jersey. Personally, I don't feel comfortable driving there in my EV yet. There is an EVgo charging station near him, but if I was over there I have no idea the state they would be in nor whether I'd have to wait on line a long time or not. My 2024 Cadillac Lyriq has free EVgo charging for 2 years and I intend to use it as much as possible instead of charging at home. As far as DC fast charging: most of these fast chargers I've used are barely hitting 70 kW. Mostly they charge around 50 kW and drop from there. As my Lyriq is a LEASE, I'm not worried about battery longevity. It takes 2 HOURS to fully charge my Lyriq on the EVgo chargers I've used. It takes 7 HOURS to charge overnight at home. I won't feel comfortable about long distance drives till Tesla opens up their supercharger network and I have a Lectron Vortex adapter. Even then, I'd be spending around $40 for a full charge (off-peak). The Cadillac XT5 and XT6 use regular unleaded gas, seat more people and aren't burdened with charge times. They actually make more sense - except I wanted something "new"

[@GraysonA]

If your cousin allows, you can charge at 110V overnight at their house

[@fortniteharambe]

I'm curious why you are concerned about a 70 mile distance as a Lyric should do that round trip in the very worst case scenario, and normally have plenty of room leftover. Also wondering what the battery longevity concern is for a lease, as the battery will be under warranty well beyond the term of any normal lease.

[@BogeyTheBear]

I have taken several 70-mile drives and consumed only 25% of the battery (meaning the round trip ate half of the overall battery capacity).

[@Idaho_Spud]

Seems like undue range anxiety.

[@davidmenasco5743]

It sounds to me like you're devoting an awful lot of effort to creating completely bogus reasons to second guess driving EVs. There is absolutely no reason to worry about a 70 mile trip in a Lyriq. And if that's as far as you need to go, there's no reason to charge to 100%. To be honest, looking closely at your statement, I'm about 90% certain that your whole story is a fiction that you've made up. But if you really did buy the Lyriq just to have "something new," then you should embrace it, and dump that old school fear mongering and FUD slinging.

[@F85M]

No. 1. Donut buy One. Solved.

[@nealkaye9056]

If I have half a tank of gas in my ICE car, it takes me...oh...about 2 1/2 minutes to fill it up to 100%, not 80%. And my tires last for 40K miles minimum.

[@davidmenasco5743]

That's very nice. But if I plug my EV in at home, it takes about 5 seconds. And I don't have to go out of my way to stop at a gas station. And I never have to breathe those toxic and carcinogenic fumes. Each power train has advantages and disadvantages. It just so happens that EVs have one advantage that really stands out. EVs can be part of the solution to climate change. ICE cars cannot. They can only be part of the problem.

[@LionRoars918]

Why EV's are dying. It is very location specific if they are selling.

[@antibureaucrat]

Duh !!!

[@allgoo196]

When you drive ICE you don't have to know any rules. When you drive EV, you have to baby the battery. i hate babying.

[@BogeyTheBear]

Don't drive with less than 1/4 a tank. Otherwise you're going to pick up all the residue at the bottom of the gas tank and clog up your fuel filter (fuel tank cleaning solutions will also require you to replace the filter sooner since all the gunk dissolved gets caught in the filter). Don't hoard gas in anything other than an approved fuel container. Filling up garbage cans and disacarded water bottles with gas before a hurricane's arrival is a bad idea. Don't let gas sit in the tank or storage can for more than six months, otherwise it will polymerize into varnish. Freak out when stuck in traffic because your engine still needs to burn fuel just to keep the crankshaft spinning 30 times a second even when standing still.

[@bob-qi4nr]

@@BogeyTheBear

[@EVPulse]

Don't forget oil changes. We hear those are important.

[@bob-qi4nr]

@@EVPulse I drive 5000mi a year so once a year I have to go to jiffy lube for 10 minutes. Life sure is hard.

[@allgoo1990]

@@EVPulse "Don't forget oil changes. We hear those are important." == My car needs oil change every 7500 miles I won't die if I didn't. You can't trust the reading of how much electricity you have left. Don't get in freezing temperature, don't get burned in a fire(in EVs). How many people do you know died in ICE?