What is the 80% rule for EV?

Asked by: Roy Marvin  |  Last update: March 15, 2025
Score: 5/5 (5 votes)

When it's time to charge, it's often smarter to stop at 80% and then get back on the road, instead of waiting for the battery to completely fill up. Doing so maximizes your use of time. For example, if your EV has 300 miles of range when fully juiced up, that means it can go about 240 miles with an 80% state of charge.

Should I charge my EV to 80% or 90%?

Long-Term Impact: Charging to 80% is better for the overall long-term health of the battery and will make it last longer... If you frequently charge to 90%, consider occasionally charging to 80% to maintain balance. In summary, 80% is generally better for daily use, while 90% can be used sparingly when needed.

What are the new EV rules for 2024?

Starting January 1, 2024, dealers must submit information to the IRS through IRS Energy Credits Online to determine vehicle eligibility and amount of a Clean Vehicle Credit at the point of sale. Without this submission, buyers can't claim a tax credit on their return, nor can they transfer it to a dealer.

How low should I let my EV battery get before charging?

Mistake #1: Keeping a low battery level for too long

This is the first step towards good charging practice for your electric vehicle's battery. Ideally for everyday usage, you should keep your battery at a level of between 20 and 80%.

What is the 80 20 rule for lithium batteries?

General Principle: Research indicates that adhering to an 80% maximum charge and 20% discharge can potentially provide lithium-ion batteries with an 'indefinite' lifespan. This principle aligns with the fundamental chemistry of these batteries, emphasizing the optimization of lifespan and efficiency​​.

What is the Electric Vehicle 80% Rule? | EV Basics

29 related questions found

Should I charge my EV to 100% every night?

Generally, you shouldn't charge your EV to 100% battery every single night because charging cycles can degrade your battery. Most EVs on the market have a range of a few hundred miles on a single full charge. Unless you are driving long distances every day, that charge should last you a few days.

At what percentage should you charge your electric car?

Always charging to 100% isn't the best idea

The extremely high or low state of charge can reduce the lifespan of the battery. Many modern EV chargers automatically shut off once the battery reaches full charge. Ideally, it is best to keep your battery between 30 & 80% charge.

Is charging an EV to 100% bad for the battery?

It's all to do with keeping your battery as healthy as possible, for as long as possible. And while it's perfectly safe to charge your electric car to 100%, the Lithium-Ion batteries that power most electric cars are most efficient working in ranges from roughly 20 to 80%.

What drains an EV battery the most?

Electric Vehicle Battery Drains
  • Driving. Driving your electric car will always drain the battery. ...
  • Acceleration. How hard you press the pedal greatly impacts your battery range. ...
  • Weather Conditions. ...
  • Heat and Air Conditioning. ...
  • Weight. ...
  • Navigation and Infotainment Systems. ...
  • Identify Your Battery Usage.

What is the best battery percentage to charge EV?

Simply, the 20-80% rule suggests keeping the battery of an electric vehicle charged between 20% and 80% of full capacity.

Will an EV last 10 years?

The battery packs of electric vehicles are quite resilient, with the lithium-ion type used in most modern EVs capable of lasting at least a decade before needing replacement.

What is the income limit for a Tesla $7500 discount?

In addition, your modified adjusted gross income (AGI) may not exceed: $300,000 for married couples filing jointly or a surviving spouse. $225,000 for heads of households.

What year will cars be fully electric?

As part of the Advanced Clean Cars II regulations, all new passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs sold in California will be zero-emission vehicles by 2035.

Should you leave your EV plugged in all the time?

Leaving an electric vehicle (EV) plugged in all the time is generally not harmful to the battery, but following the manufacturer's guidelines for charging and storage can help maximize the battery's lifespan.

Why only charge to 80?

No batteries last for ever, of course, but staying proactive and aiming for 80% charge can help them last longer. This is because the battery finds it easier to charge when it is slightly empty, rather than nearly full, and therefore has less stress within its charging cycle.

How to get more miles out of an electric car?

Slow down and use eco-mode

Dropping from 70 mph to 65 mph on the motorway can really help maximise your vehicle range. This can also make driving safer in snowy or icy conditions. Likewise, electric vehicles come with an eco-driving mode. This will boost mileage and reduce power consumption.

Should I charge my EV to 80 every night?

Most gas cars don't start every day with a full gas tank, and most electric cars don't need a full battery each day. Keeping an EV charged between 30% and 80% capacity maximizes efficiency and reduces battery stress, which leads to improved longevity.

What is the biggest weakness of the electric car?

Some disadvantages to electric cars include that they can't travel as far as gas-powered vehicles, you need to find EV charging stations for them, and they incur higher initial costs.

Does cruise control save battery on EV?

Whether you drive an electric, petrol or diesel car, using cruise control can save on battery. Constant driving speed is highly correlated with higher fuel efficiency. This only applies to flat roads, however. On hilly roads cruise control can use more energy.

Can I charge my EV to 100% once a week?

There are two reasons: charging performance and battery longevity. Most of the time you should only charge an EV to 80% because charging rates slow down dramatically past the 80% mark. And two, the long-term health of your vehicle's battery pack is improved when kept below 100%.

Why fast charging is bad for EV?

When using a fast charger some EVs can receive up to 300 kilometres of range in just 10 minutes. Studies of real-world EV usage to date suggests that fast-charging an EV can have a greater impact on battery life if the vehicle is not equipped with an active thermal management system.

What is the 20 80 charging rule?

What is the 20 80 rule for charging? The 20-80 rule for charging refers to the practice of keeping the charging level of electric vehicle batteries between 20% and 80% of their full capacity. This approach is commonly recommended for optimal battery health and performance over the long term.

Can you sit in EV while charging?

Yes, you can sit in your electric car while charging as long as you leave your bay once you're done.

How much does your electric bill go up with EV?

For an EV, you will use about 402 kWh in that time frame. Using the most recent U.S. household average estimate of 16.83 cents per kWh, charging an electric car at home would cost about $67.66 per month. Using a DC fast charger away from home, an EV driver might pay 50 cents per kWh, or $201 for that much energy.

What not to do with an electric car?

Summary
  1. DON'T leave your EV in extreme heat for extended periods.
  2. DO keep it charged between 20%-80%.
  3. DON'T forget to take advantage of governmental incentives.
  4. DO arrange a sensible charging plan that aligns with your needs.
  5. DON'T head off on long journeys without planning your route.
  6. DO maintain your EV regularly.