this post was submitted on 20 Jan 2024
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Yes and no. When you first hit the road, yes, you'll charge to 100%. However, along the way you'll charge up at a DC fast charge station. Those have what's called a charge curve, where it doesn't charge as fast as the battery charges. Think of it like filling a bike tire with a hand pump - the first few pumps are easy and the gauge jumps fast, but the last few are a lot harder and the needle barely moves. Much like air trying to resist higher pressure, more electrons repel each other as you charge the battery.
Ok, so charging. Charging from 10% to 80% takes roughly as long as charging from 80% to 100%. Rather than going to 100% at each charge, it's often beneficial to get just enough to get to the next charger with a little buffer room. Often you'll come out ahead if you just go to 80%ish (of course, if it's a long stretch to the next charger or you can skip a charge with more you may have reason to go beyond 80%)
Bigger range has its obvious advantages, but a bigger battery means you can take advantage of the charge curve a little more.
I take it you don't own an EV?
Range is always relevant. For me, my max normal range (without the very time sensitive full charge) is a day to day factor.
And I’m an outlier in the other direction: charge to 80% and usually go a week before plugging in
For what it's worth, general consensus is that staying plugged in, even with just a normal outlet, is best practice. That has the battery conditioning run more aggressively, which is better for battery longevity. This isn't like the NiCd batteries with a big memory effect if you recharge too early.
[citation needed]?
I have read that but wonder how much of that is so that you don’t have range anxiety. My driving is usually predictable so not a big deal
Again, it's for battery conditioning to run more aggressively. Absolutely nothing to do with range anxiety. That's the part that heats and cools your battery to keep it in good shape in the long run. You have nothing to gain by leaving it unplugged (of course, that's not to say you should panic if you can't plug in)