Part 1: Why Does Battery Health Matter?

Why is battery health such a big deal? As your battery ages, it naturally loses its capacity. This means it can’t hold as much energy, and your range starts to decrease. This is battery degradation. It’s a natural process that happens with all batteries, whether they’re in your phone, laptop, or EV. But the good news is that how quickly this happens is largely under your control!

A healthy battery means; more range: you’ll be able to travel further on a single charge, giving you more freedom and reducing range anxiety, increased car value: acar with a well-maintained battery will hold its value better over time, faster charging: Healthy batteries can accept a charge more quickly and efficiently.

Part 2: Understanding Your EV Battery

To really understand how to keep your battery healthy, we first need to understand how it works. The vast majority of modern electric cars use lithium-ion batteries. These are the same type of batteries you find in your phones and laptops, just much bigger and more powerful! Inside each battery cell, lithium ions move back and forth between two electrodes: the positive side and the negative side. When you’re driving, the ions move from the negative side to the positive side, creating a flow of electricity that powers your car.

When you’re charging, the process is reversed. You’re using external power to force the ions back to the negative side, storing energy for your next trip. Every time this cycle happens, a tiny bit of wear and tear occurs. Over thousands of cycles, this is what leads to battery degradation.

But there are specific factors that accelerate this process, and those are the things we want to avoid. The primary enemies of your lithium-ion battery are: Extreme Heat: Heat is a battery’s worst enemy. It speeds up chemical reactions that degrade the battery’s internal components. Extreme States of Charge: Keeping your battery near 100% or near 0% for extended periods can put stress on the cells. Repeated DC Fast Charging: Fast charging is incredibly convenient, but the high currents involved can generate significant heat and put more stress on the battery than slower charging. So, the goal isn’t necessarily to avoid ever doing these things — that’s not always realistic! The goal is to minimize them and to practice good charging and driving habits.

Part 3: The 80/20 Rule: Charging Your EV Right

The single most important habit for maintaining EV battery health is the 80 20 Rule. The basic idea is simple: for daily driving, try to keep your battery’s state of charge between 20% and 80%.

But why 80%? Charging your battery to 100% all the time puts a lot of stress on the cells, especially during the last few percent. Keeping it below 80% for routine trips helps to avoid this high-stress zone. And why 20%? Similarly, letting your battery drop below 20% can also stress the cells. It’s the equivalent of running a car with its fuel light on; you’re operating on fumes, and it’s not ideal. Keeping it above 20% provides a healthy buffer and prevents deep discharges.

Now, does this mean you can never charge to 100% or go below 20%? No, of course not! If you’re going on a long road trip and need 100% of the range, by all means, charge up. The key is to not make it a daily habit. The damage comes from consistently operating outside the optimal 20–80% window. The good news is that most modern electric cars make following the 80 20 rule easy. They often have settings that allow you to set a maximum charging limit. You can set it to 80% for your daily commute, and only increase it when you’re preparing for a longer journey.

Part 4: Conclusion

So, to sum it all up: For daily driving, aim for the 80 20 charging rule. Be mindful of extreme heat and cold. Use Level 2 home charging as your main source of power. And follow good daily habits like smooth driving and proper tire inflation. By taking these simple steps, you’re not just taking care of your car; you’re ensuring that you get many years of powerful, reliable, and high-range electric driving. If you have any questions, or if you have some of your own battery-saving tips, please leave them in the comments of the video below!

Tethered Chargers

Tethered chargers are wall-mounted boxes with a built-in charging cable. You’ll find them fixed in place on your garage or wall. When you need to charge your EV, simply unhook the cable from its docking point on the charger and plug it into your car. Super easy! This is a lot more convenient, especially if you charge up your car every night.

Just plug it in, and you’re good to go. There are some considerations however. Cable length is one of them. Make sure the built-in cable is long enough to reach your car’s charging port. If not, you might need to pay extra for a longer cable. Another downside is after charging. You will need to wind the cable neatly to store it. Otherwise, you risk driving over it or damaging it.

Untethered Chargers

Untethered chargers don’t have a built-in cable. Instead, they have a slot where you plug in your own charging cable. Connect your charging cable to the charger, then plug the other end into your car, just like with a tethered charger.

Some advantages could be flexibility. You can use any cable, the one your EV comes with will work best. This is handy if you have multiple EVs or need to replace the cable. Once charging is done, disconnect both ends of the cable and store it elsewhere, many EVs have a designated storage spot.

Some things to consider are, carrying your cable: these thick cables can be bulky and hard to carry, so be careful!

Which One Should You Choose?

Tethered chargers are great for daily use, but be mindful of short cables and storage. Untethered chargers offer flexibility and compatibility, but you’ll need to use your own cable.

Remember, home chargers are the best way to charge your EV, especially since public chargers can be expensive and inconvenient. So, whether you go tethered or untethered, keep those electrons flowing! If you have any more EV-related questions, feel free to ask. There’s a dedicated channel or that in my Discord server!

The EV Hub Discord server: https://discord.gg/PTY7H7Dqvd

Learn more about tethered and untethered home chargers here:

Electric cars have been around for over two centuries but have only become widely available in the past 15 years due to advances in battery technology. They are considered more environmentally friendly than petrol and diesel-powered cars. In 2022, over 10 million electric vehicles were sold worldwide! That means that there are around 18 million EVs on roads around the world! The manufacturing process for electric cars is similar to that of traditional cars, but with key differences revolving around the engine and battery.

The gearbox is assembled first, followed by the drivetrain, which includes the rotor and stator. The chassis is pre-assembled, and the drivetrain is attached. The battery, or powertrain, is then installed.

It consists of nearly 7,000 lithium-ion cells. Wiring is attached, and a power electronics module is installed.

A vacuum system is used to maintain battery temperature. Finally, the car is assembled, tested, and delivered!

Companies like Tesla are spending billions creating electric vehicles that are cost-effective to buy and run, but also have the range comparable to petrol and diesel cars.

Learn more about how EVs are made in this video:

Today we’re hitting the road and comparing electric car charging stations across the pond — in the US and the UK. Buckle up, because while both aim for a greener future, their charging landscapes are surprisingly different.

The US boasts a higher number of public charging stations, but look closer. Distribution can be patchy, with coastal areas well-served while rural regions lag behind.

Europe, including the UK, has a more even spread, making road trips less nerve-wracking.

The US relies on three main plugs: J1772 Type 1 for slower AC charging charging and CCS1 for faster DC charging. There’s also Tesla’s NACS Superchargers for even faster charging.

The UK keeps it simpler with Type 2 for AC and CCS2 for DC fast-charging.

The UK has a slight edge here. Their standard voltage allows for faster charging at home compared to the US. However, the US has a growing network of powerful DC fast-chargers that can significantly reduce long-distance travel time.

When it comes to reliability, the picture gets a bit fuzzier. The US has struggled with charger downtime, with studies suggesting that one in five charging attempts fail.

The UK is aiming for a stricter standard, with a goal of 99% charger uptime. However, real-world data suggests they may not be there yet. Other problems include, chargers having bugs, not recognising the connected EV, and claiming to be working fine, but not be.

Ultimately, both countries need to improve reliability to truly win over EV drivers. No matter where you charge, the future is electric! So, research your route, and get ready for a greener future. Thanks for reading!

Learn more about chargers in this great video:

But some argue grilles add style. Take the Tesla Model 3 — sleek, and has no grille, some find it emotionless.

The MG4 EV features a closed top for looks, but a functional air intake below for battery cooling. It’s a win-win. On the other hand, the 1st gen MG ZS EV and Mercedes EQA had large, purely cosmetic grilles.

Not only were they useless, they also disrupt aerodynamics! Will grilles disappear, or become functional for better performance? Probably! The redesigns of all the cars mentioned earlier now feature closed grilles, and look a lot better than before.

What do you think? Do electric cars need grilles? Thank you for reading!

Learn more about this toptic here:

Tesla, the American electric car giant, has long dominated the EV market. But, in recent times, it has faced stiff competition from Chinese automakers. Companies like NIO, Xpeng, and BYD are challenging Tesla’s dominance with their sleek and innovative electric vehicles. These cars offer impressive range, cutting-edge technology, and competitive pricing.

Chinese electric cars are not only making waves in the United States but are also conquering the European market. Cities like Paris, London, and Berlin are now seeing a growing number of Chinese EVs on their streets. Their eco-friendly features, strong performance, and affordable options are appealing to European consumers looking to go green. Chinese electric car manufacturers are positioning themselves as a solution to the pressing issue of air pollution and climate change. By producing electric vehicles, they contribute to cleaner air and a greener future.

Chinese EVs are not just about clean energy; they also embrace advanced technology. Features like autonomous driving, long-lasting batteries, and rapid charging are becoming the new standard. As the world continues its shift toward sustainable transportation, Chinese electric cars are undoubtedly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the Western EV market.

So, whether you’re in the United States, Europe, or beyond, keep an eye out for the rise of Chinese electric cars — a promising glimpse into the future of clean and efficient transportation. Stay tuned for more exciting developments as the world of electric cars continues to evolve.

If you want to learn more about Chinese electric car, then check out my video about them:

Your budget is the first and most important factor to consider. It will narrow the possible options down a lot and will give you a rough idea of what you are working with.

2. Size of the Car

This depends on the budget. For example: if you had a very high budget of over £100000, then there wouldn’t be much choice on the size but if your budget is £30000, then you could go for something small like the Fiat 500e or something bigger like the MG4.

3. Range

This also depends on your price range. Like the size of the car, if you are paying a lot, then that car will have a decent range. But in the lower end of the price range, some cars, like the Honda E, only have 150 miles, whereas the MG4 Long Range has 281 miles.

4. Charging Port Location

This is a surprisingly important thing that people don’t often consider when buying their first electric car. I made a whole video about this, which will be linked below, explaining the importance of this, so I wouldn’t go into much detail. If the charging port is near the front of the car, it means you can drive forward into a parking space to charge. But if the charging port is on the back end of the car, reversing is the only option for public charging!

5. Brand Loyalty

Brand Loyalty is a big part in choosing any car. Car companies often have specific deals or features that make customers come back. Examples of this are; Kia’s long warranty, a local garage for that brand or Tesla’s Supercharger network.

6. Design

At the moment, this is less important for electric cars because, by the time you have got down here, there might only be two or three cars to choose from. However, this also can help you decide between cars. A question you can ask yourself is; ‘‘Do I like the look of the car?’’

Thank you for reading! If you want ot know more about chooseing the bext EV for you, then watch my video about it:

Electric cars in the 1900s were clean, quiet, and emission-free, providing a comfortable ride. They were easy to use, eliminating the need for complicated gears or a hand crank to start the engine. Powered by lead-acid batteries, they had a range of 50–100 miles and required several hours to charge at stations. Initially popular in urban areas for short distances and stop-and-go traffic, they were commonly used as taxis and for local deliveries. However, as the 20th century progressed, advancements in gasoline-powered cars made them more affordable and practical for longer trips, causing electric vehicles to decline in popularity.

In the 1990s, electric cars like the GM EV1 and Toyota RAV4 EV had limited range and high costs, hindering their widespread adoption. However, in the 21st century, electric cars made a comeback due to advancements in battery technology and government incentives. Companies like Tesla, Nissan, and Chevrolet now produce affordable electric vehicles, and the growing charging infrastructure has made electric cars more practical for consumers. This resurgence is driven by environmental benefits, cost savings, and ongoing industry developments.

Electric cars today are both environmentally friendly and high-performing, with improved charging infrastructure and longer ranges making them a practical choice for daily transportation.

There are now over 100 different EV models to choose from on the market; all with different specs and accessories. In the future, they have the potential to revolutionize transportation, reducing our carbon footprint. With continued innovation and investment in sustainable technology, we can look forward to a cleaner and greener future on the roads.

Learn more about this here:

Our narrative begins with the visionary Nikola Tesla, whose inspiration gave birth to the company. Tesla’s contributions to electricity and his dreams of harnessing renewable energy laid the foundation for what was to come.

Fast forward to the early 21st century, a time when concerns about climate change and the need for sustainable transportation were gaining momentum. Enter Elon Musk, a brilliant entrepreneur with a fervor for transformative technologies.

In 2008, Musk and his team of engineers embarked on a mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy. Their initial endeavor, the Tesla Roadster, an all-electric sports car, challenged conventions and shattered preconceived notions about electric vehicles.

The success of the Roadster marked a turning point for Tesla, prompting a shift towards making electric vehicles accessible to the masses. The Model S, an all-electric luxury sedan, combined groundbreaking technology with elegant design, setting new standards for the industry.

However, Tesla’s vision expanded beyond automobiles. The company delved into renewable energy solutions, developing revolutionary solar panels and energy storage systems. The Gigafactory, a state-of-the-art facility, became a symbol of their commitment to sustainable manufacturing.

As Tesla’s vehicle lineup expanded to include the Model X, Model 3, and Model Y, the company also focused on building a robust charging infrastructure. Supercharger stations globally enabled long-distance travel for electric vehicle owners, propelling the electric revolution further.

Tesla’s dedication to safety and cutting-edge technology is evident in its Autopilot system — an advanced driver-assistance system that brought us closer to a future of autonomous driving. Tesla’s commitment to over-the-air updates allowed for constant improvement and the introduction of new features.

From Nikola Tesla’s dreams to Elon Musk’s vision, Tesla has emerged as a transformative force in the automotive industry. Challenging the status quo, redefining the future of transportation, and embodying the spirit of innovation, Tesla continues to shape the way we drive into the future.

Learn more about this here:

The History of Tesla: How it All Started | #tesla #elonmusk

In Norway, the convenience of widespread charging stations and substantial fuel savings also increase the incentive to invest in EVs. Norway’s wealth of renewable energy, from hydroelectric to wind power, not only facilitates easy EV charging but also minimizes carbon footprint. Moreover, Norway invests in local EV manufacturing, boosting employment and tailoring vehicles to local preferences.

In essence, Norway’s EV success story weaves together environmental dedication, incentives, accessible charging, renewable energy, and local production.

Learn more from my YouTube video here: