If you recently got your first electric vehicle (EV), are looking to purchase one, or want to optimize your current charging schedule, you probably have questions regarding when and how to plug your EV in. EvoCharge’s new EV charging app (free for Android and Apple) and iEVSE Home unit make it simple to charge your vehicle while saving money.
What Time of Day Should I Charge My EV?
There isn’t a right or wrong time to charge your vehicle, but if you’re looking to save money, it’s best to do so during “off-peak hours.” 10 pm to 8 am Monday through Friday and all day on weekends and holidays are considered “off-peak hours.” Because there is less demand for electricity during off-peak hours and to incentivize individuals, you’re charged less per kW hour when you charge your EV overnight and on weekends.
With EvoCharge’s EV charging app, you can plug in your car when you get home from work and then schedule the iEVSE Home unit to hold off on charging until off-peak hours. Set it for after you go to bed and feel confident knowing it’ll be charged and ready to go in the morning.
Can’t wait for off-peak hours? No problem! The EV charging app and iEVSE Home station can be set to charge any time that’s convenient for you and on a recurring schedule.
Should I Charge My Electric Car Every Night?
There isn’t a simple answer to whether you should charge your EV every night because it depends on how much of the battery you use on a daily basis. As a rule of thumb, you should always have at least 20% battery charge, especially in the winter when the cold weather can sap the battery faster. However, your EV doesn’t need to be at 100% every day—in fact, it may be harmful to the battery life to keep it charged over 80% on a regular basis.
To figure out when it would be most beneficial to charge your vehicle, pay attention to how much electricity you use throughout the day and whether you can go multiple days without charging. When the battery hits 20% or you know it will take more charge than your vehicle currently has, you’ll want to charge it up.
With the EvoCharge EV charging app and iEVSE Home station, you can track your charging history to better understand when you typically need to plug in and you can start or stop charging at any time directly from your smartphone.
How Do I Automatically Stop Charging When My Battery Is Full?
EvoCharge’s EVSE units will always automatically stop charging when the battery is full, but the EvoCharge app and iEVSE Home station give you added control by allowing you to start and stop charging directly from the app on your smartphone no matter where you are.
How Will I Know My Car Is Charging or Not With the EV Home Charging App?
Just like the indicator light on the iEVSE Home unit, the EV charging app provides real-time color-coded status updates, including letting you know when the station is preparing to charge, available, currently charging, etc.
What if I Have Multiple EVs?
The EV charging app is created to manage multiple iEVSE Home stations at once, giving you full control over how your family charges their vehicles. Switch between stations conveniently without having to log in or out.
How Does the iEVSE Home Unit Differ from Other EVSE Stations?
Made specifically for residential EVSE users, the iEVSE Home is our only unit that works seamlessly with the EvoCharge app. It connects quickly and easily to your home’s WiFi right out of the box. Otherwise, you still get the speed and reliability of Level 2 charging at home.
Ready to take control of your EV charging? Learn more about our iEVSE Home units or purchase one today to get started.