EV Charging Dos and Don'ts: A Practical Checklist

Do

• Charge to 80% for daily use and save 100% for long trips — it is easier on the battery and often faster overall.
• Charge at home overnight on an off-peak tariff whenever you can; it is the cheapest and most convenient option.
• Precondition the battery before a fast charge in cold weather (most cars do this automatically when you navigate to a charger).
• Check the charger's connector, power and live status in the app before driving there.
• Inspect cables and plugs for damage before every use.
• Have a home charger installed by a qualified electrician on a dedicated circuit.
• Move your car when charging is done at a busy public charger.
• Keep the charging port and connector clean and dry.
• Plan long trips around fast chargers with a comfortable buffer.

Don't

• Don't leave the car at 100% or near 0% for days at a time — both stress the battery.
• Don't fast-charge every single day if you have a slower option; save DC charging for when you need it.
• Don't use domestic extension leads, multi-plug adaptors or cheap uncertified cables.
• Don't force a connector that will not seat.
• Don't unplug someone else's car unless it has clearly finished and network etiquette allows it.
• Don't park in an EV bay if you are not charging.
• Don't ignore repeated fault messages — get the car or charger checked.
• Don't charge immediately after a collision or driving through deep floodwater without an inspection.
• Don't run charging cables across footpaths where people can trip on them.

Quick reference