In the world of electric vehicles, Tesla stands out as a pioneer, not only for its cutting-edge technology but also for the array of customizable features it offers to users.
One such feature that Tesla owners can leverage is the daily charging limit setting.
This article delves into the importance of the Tesla daily charging limit and how it can positively influence energy efficiency, cost savings, and battery longevity.
Understanding Tesla’s Daily Charging Limit
Tesla vehicles come equipped with a charge limit function that empowers owners to set the maximum charge level for their EVs. This feature takes immediate effect, impacting the current or next charging session.
While some might find the idea of limiting an EV’s charge counterintuitive, the benefits it offers are significant and far-reaching.
Benefits of Setting a Charging Limit
Energy Cost Efficiency:
By strategically setting a daily charging limit, Tesla owners can maintain optimal energy cost efficiency. This ensures that they only charge their EVs to the necessary level, preventing unnecessary energy expenditures.
Battery Lifespan Extension:
EV batteries are subject to capacity loss over time. Studies indicate an average loss rate of 2.3% each year of use among electric vehicles’ battery packs. Setting a lower daily charging limit, such as 80% or 90%, can mitigate the decline in battery capacity and contribute to a longer lifespan.
Range Management:
Efficiently managing the range of a Tesla vehicle is crucial for long-term usability. Setting a daily charging limit conditions owners to adapt their driving habits and maximize the available range, ensuring a consistent and reliable driving experience.
Important: EV battery replacement can cost $1000s. To avoid high-voltage battery replacement, there are some things you can do. Read this article to find out the 10 best ways to maximize EV battery life and save tons of money!
What Charging Limit Should You Set?
When to Set Your Tesla’s Daily Charging Limit to 90%:
- Extended Trips or Road Travel:
- When planning for extended trips or road travel where maximum range is crucial, setting your Tesla’s daily charging limit to 90% ensures you have additional mileage available. This setting is suitable for times when you need the maximum range for an extended period.
- Occasional Full Charge:
- Tesla recommends fully charging your battery once per week, even if you regularly maintain a lower daily charging limit. Setting the limit to 90% on specific days, especially before embarking on a road trip, aligns with this recommendation and prepares your Tesla for longer journeys.
When to Set Your Tesla’s Daily Charging Limit to 80%:
- Everyday Commuting:
- For daily commuting and routine errands, setting your Tesla’s daily charging limit to 80% strikes a balance between ensuring enough range for your travels and preserving battery health. This level provides ample mileage for typical daily driving needs.
- Long-Term Battery Health:
- To mitigate the effects of capacity loss over time and promote long-term battery health, choosing an 80% daily charging limit is advisable. This setting helps slow down the natural decline in battery capacity, contributing to an extended battery lifespan.
When to Set Your Tesla’s Daily Charging Limit to Less Than 80%:
- Regular Commuting and Short Trips:
- Lowering your Tesla’s daily charging limit to 70% or 80% for regular commuting and short trips enhances energy efficiency and reduces unnecessary charging costs. This level of charge is often sufficient for daily driving needs.
- Battery Conditioning:
- Periodically lowering your daily charging limit helps condition the battery and manage overall battery health. This practice ensures that the battery operates within optimal conditions, promoting longevity and sustained performance.
Also read: What’s the Best Amperage to Charge Tesla? (To Prevent Battery Degradation)
Implementing Tesla’s Daily Charging Limit
Changing the daily charging limit is a straightforward process that can be done through the Tesla center console or the Tesla app on a smartphone.
- Tesla Center Console:
- Users can use the slider in the settings screen on their Tesla’s center console to quickly adjust the charge settings. However, this method lacks precise percentage measurements, requiring users to estimate the charge level.
- Tesla App:
- For a more precise and controlled approach, the Tesla app on a smartphone provides a detailed view of the charging settings. Owners can set the charge limit based on a specific percentage, offering greater accuracy and flexibility.