That would depend on your utility rates, and when you charge. We live out in the country with a coop electric utility. We have a flat rate for electricity 24/7/365.
That would depend on your utility rates, and when you charge. We live out in the country with a coop electric utility. We have a flat rate for electricity 24/7/365.is the cost of electricity disproportionately higher when charging the last 10-20% because it takes longer to charge that last 10-20%?
According to an OEM battery designer I know, all lithium ion batteries, in current use, are less stressed when used in the middle of their voltage range.However, there might already be buffers built into the car (meaning there's still unused battery capacity even when the car reports a 100% charge) or the specific chemistry of the battery might make the above statement untrue. I'm not willing to guess wrongly.
Shouldnt be more electricity, but we recommend charging to 80% to hopefully preserve more of the battery over the long term. Studies have shown that li ion batteries retain more of their capacity when discharged between ~30-80% vs 50-100% (same 50% usage, but 30 to 80 retained more of its capacity throughout the battery cycle test).I’ve had a 2023 Bolt for three months. Love it! I know there are lots of questions and responses about charging, but hopefully by this time the 80 vs 100% question has been answered. Here is my question: I currently charge to 80% although all my charging takes place at home using my L2 charger. I read that charging to 80% is the norm when charging at a public fast charger and understand why. However, the same article insinuated that it’s not necessary when charging at home where charging time is not an issue. That makes sense to me, however, if I decide to charge to 100% is the cost of electricity disproportionately higher when charging the last 10-20% because it takes longer to charge that last 10-20%? It makes sense that it would, so why spend more to charge that last 10-20% if I get enough range to meet my driving range needs at 80%? Am I looking at this correctly? Opinions?
Charging to 80% is not just about the charging time required but also for your battery's health. If you don't need the full range, keeping your battery in the 25-75% range is best for your lithium battery's life. That's why I charge to 80% except for long trips. Lithium-Ion Battery Care Guide - Part Four - CleanTechnicaI’ve had a 2023 Bolt for three months. Love it! I know there are lots of questions and responses about charging, but hopefully by this time the 80 vs 100% question has been answered. Here is my question: I currently charge to 80% although all my charging takes place at home using my L2 charger. I read that charging to 80% is the norm when charging at a public fast charger and understand why. However, the same article insinuated that it’s not necessary when charging at home where charging time is not an issue. That makes sense to me, however, if I decide to charge to 100% is the cost of electricity disproportionately higher when charging the last 10-20% because it takes longer to charge that last 10-20%? It makes sense that it would, so why spend more to charge that last 10-20% if I get enough range to meet my driving range needs at 80%? Am I looking at this correctly? Opinions?
How does a slower charge rate compare with delayed charging? i understand that the slower charge rate is healthier for a lithium battery, but if you are charging to 100 at a slower rate, does that mean your battery spends more time above 90% charge than with delayed charging (to 100)?I charge to 100% at home on 240v, but at lower rate to finish charging and balancing cells about an hour before I am going to use the Bolt
I asked this question on the Wheel Bearings podcast (worth a listen if you like cars!), and the answer is - it doesn't matter. 12 kw is 12 kw, whether it takes ten minutes or ten hours to add those kw to your battery. There might be some marginal efficiency loss over the extended charging period, but we're talking pennies over the course of a monthly bill.That makes sense to me, however, if I decide to charge to 100% is the cost of electricity disproportionately higher when charging the last 10-20% because it takes longer to charge that last 10-20%?
Great write up Rob. There’s a free 50kw DCFC on my way to work and there was no one there so figured I give the fast charging a try. I was surprised that it was only charging at around 34kw. My battery was a little more than 60% when I started so this makes sense now.L2 charging doesn't follow a curve like DCFC, it will maintain constant charging speed up to around 100%, maybe tailing off slightly at 98-99% for cell balancing. So, utility costs shouldn't be a consideration. The logic is, DCFC generates heat from higher current (amps) and needs to slow the pace. At 90% or more, the charging speed drops to near the speed of AC charging. So with AC charging, you never have to slow down until you get to the cell balancing phase.
On lower powered DCFC, the charging doesn't typically slow until higher state of charge. The following chart applies to the original 60kWh packs in older Bolts, but the concept is similar with newer packs, but follows a curve rather than step downs. Notice the higher SOC at lower kW charging speeds before the step downs occur.
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When charged > 90%, regen will be limited for the first part of your journey.
Lots of articles advise not charging to 100%, that may or may not be as true for EVs as for laptops and other devices that lack thermal conditioning, but why risk it? If 80% is adequate for daily needs, use it. When planning a longer trip, charge to 100%, and if possible target finishing the charge as close to departure time as possible to avoid sitting at 100% for lengthy periods.
There may be headroom at the top, above 100%. But it is not accessible, and some who have dug in deep claim Bolt has very little room past 100%. It isn't like volume measurements, it is a voltage question. Pack voltages are kept within "safe" ranges so as to not stress cells.
The 80% suggestion for public charging is as much about slow DCFC past 80% as it is opening access for others. On trips, your strategy plays out better by making more stops and keeping SOC in the faster part of the charging curve. Charging from 80-100% on DCFC probably takes more time than 20-60% in most cases, so you will make better time avoiding >80% in most cases.
50kW chargers are often 125A and are rated based on 400V. But 400V battery packs (in most EVs) don't reach 400V until near 100%.Great write up Rob. There’s a free 50kw DCFC on my way to work and there was no one there so figured I give the fast charging a try. I was surprised that it was only charging at around 34kw. My battery was a little more than 60% when I started so this makes sense now.
Thanks!
I think GM takes care of that for us, I don't think Bolt ever charges fast enough to cause damage. Watch News Coulomb videos on You Tube, Eric reached about 150K miles in less than 5 years on his 2017 Bolt, using DCFC nearly every week on 500 mile trips. He also charged to 100% for the first two years he owned his Bolt. He estimated less than 10% degradation at 150K miles.I'd limit charges if I wanted to prolong life of pack.