Fast charging is actually so harmful to your electric car

You can charge your electric car at a public charging station (AC) or at a fast charger (DC). Such a direct current pole is nice and smooth, but it also has its disadvantages.

The speed at which an electric car can be charged is measured in kW. Leading brands can quickly charge more than 300 kW at a DC charging station, as a fast charger is also called.

Difference between AC and DC charger

AC stands for Alternating current, which means alternating current. These are public charging stations and home chargers that supply alternating current. This is done with 11 or 22 kW and the car itself then converts this into direct current.

If you want to charge your electric car quickly, use a DC charger. The current is already converted into direct current in the charger (Direct current). These fast chargers are often found along the highway and can sometimes deliver up to 400 kW. With a fast charger, you use a sturdier cable that is attached to the charger. This means you can leave your own charging cable in the car.

How quickly can my electric vehicle be charged?

However, fast charging is always as fast as the weakest link. If your electric car can charge with a maximum of 250 kW, this is also the maximum charging speed with a 400 kW fast charger. If you get a 150 kW fast charger with the same electric vehicle, the maximum that can be achieved is 150 kW.

It’s best to use a quick charger between 20 and 80 percent battery charge. For most modern electric vehicles this takes less than half an hour. If necessary, it is of course possible to continue charging after 80 percent, although this is a little slower. You usually only reach the maximum charging speed when the battery is fairly empty. The fuller the battery becomes, the slower it charges.

Is fast charging bad for an electric car?

The reason not to charge the battery above 80 percent with a fast charger (and not to use the fast charger too often) is because it puts a lot of strain on the battery. When fast charging, the battery has to withstand higher temperatures than when charging at home or in the supermarket during your free time with 11 or 22 kW.

Of course, the car is designed for occasional fast charging, but don’t do it too often. If you frequently connect your electric car to the fast charger, this will not have a positive effect on the lifespan of your battery.

The lifespan of electric cars is shortened by fast charging

Canadian research compared the batteries of electric cars that are never connected to a fast charger and are fast-charged a maximum of three times a month with the batteries of electric cars that are fast-charged more than three times a month. “There is already a clear difference in battery health between the cars that never see the DC charger and the electric vehicles that only occasionally fast charge.” So don’t do it too often, because especially if money is important to you, You don’t want to replace the battery of an electric vehicle.