Electric car charging: everything you need to know about when, where, and how to optimize the charging experience

The adoption of electric cars is growing rapidly, driven by increasing environmental awareness and ongoing technological advances. However, charging is still an issue that generates doubts among many users.
When is the best time to charge an electric car? Where can I find charging stations? How can I save time and money?

In this article you will find all the information you need to maximize your charging experience and make the most of the benefits of electric mobility.

When to reload: flexibility and strategy

The ability to choose when to charge the electric car is one of the great advantages over internal combustion vehicles. Here are the main strategies:

• Night charging: this is the most convenient option for those with a home wallbox. It allows you to take advantage of lower energy rates at night and charge while resting, having your car ready for the next day.
• Charging during daily activities: modern infrastructure allows charging while shopping, working remotely, or reading a book. A smart way to increase autonomy by taking advantage of downtime.
• Fast charging on the road: ideal on long trips when time is limited. Fast and ultra-fast columns can be found along highways and major thoroughfares, allowing short stops and quick charges.

Where to charge: all the options available

Understanding where to charge your electric car is critical for efficient and stress-free mobility. Here are the most common solutions:

• Home charging: this is most convenient for those with a garage or parking space. Custom wallboxes can be installed according to energy needs and budget.
• Charging at the workplace: if the company has charging stations, it can be charged during working hours. For interested companies, Powy is an ideal partner to install dedicated charging infrastructure and improve corporate welfare.
• Public charging: supermarkets, shopping malls, gyms, restaurants and parking lots increasingly offer publicly accessible charging points, perfect for integrating charging into daily life.
• Charging stations along the way: on the road, you can count on charging stations in hotels, service areas and strategic stations along major arteries. This makes it possible to travel long distances without limitations.

How to improve the charging experience

To optimize charging your electric car, follow these practical tips:

• Know your vehicle's connectors and power: check the socket type and maximum power supported by your car to choose compatible columns and estimate charging times.
• Choose the right power: for daily use, slow and steady charging can be healthier for the battery than fast charging. Reserve fast charge for travel.
• Use a dedicated app: apps like Powy Charge make it easy to find columns, show real-time availability, connector type, cost, and allow you to start charging from your smartphone.
• Take advantage of smart time slots: if your provider allows it, set charging at the cheapest hours to reduce the total cost of energy during home charging.

Final recommendations

• Always avoid 0% and 100% (unless strictly necessary): to prolong battery life, keep the battery level between 20% and 80%. Frequent full discharges or continuous 100% charges can degrade the battery over time.
• Battery pre-conditioning: some electric vehicles offer a pre-conditioning function that prepares the battery for fast charging (by heating or cooling it). Using this feature before arriving at a fast charge station can significantly reduce waiting time.
• Monitor charging remotely: dedicated apps allow you to check charging status remotely. This is useful to know when charging is complete and free up the column, avoiding any occupancy costs.
• Software updates: keep your electric car's software up to date. Often, updates include improvements to battery management and charging speed.
• Quality charging cables: investing in robust and certified charging cables, whether for wallbox or public charging, ensures safety and efficiency over time.

In summary, electric car charging is an increasingly intuitive and convenient experience. By knowing your options and adopting a few best practices, you can manage your electric mobility with maximum efficiency and peace of mind.

FAQ: How long does it take to fully charge an electric car?

Electric car charging time varies significantly depending on the power of the wallbox used and the battery capacity of your vehicle. With a home wallbox (7-11 kW), a full charge typically takes 4 to 8 hours, perfect for overnight. Public AC wallboxes (up to 22 kW) can charge in 2-4 hours. For DC fast charging (50 to over 350 kW), you can go from 20% to 80% charge in just 20 to 40 minutes, ideal for a quick stop on a long trip. Often, for daily use, short "top-ups" or overnight charging is enough to cover the needs.

About Powy

Powy is a company that owns, develops and operates Italy's leading independent network of public charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, with a growing presence in Spain as well.

Founded in Turin, Italy in 2018, Powy is at the center of the transition to more sustainable mobility, offering an innovative charging infrastructure that uses only 100 percent renewable energy.

Powy 's network includes quick, fast, and ultra-fast charging solutions strategically placed in public and private parking lots, supermarkets, shopping malls, and transportation hubs to ensure maximum convenience and accessibility for EV drivers. Each station is equipped with advanced technologies to provide a reliable and efficient charging experience.

Learn more: wpowy.energy