Charge Up Faster: A Guide to Maximizing Your EV Charging Speed

As a regular EV charger user, you're always looking to optimize your charging experience. While the charging station itself dictates a lot of the speed, there are several things you can do to ensure your car charges as fast as possible, considering both the vehicle and the station's capabilities.

Here's what you should consider to make your public charging sessions faster:

1. Understand Your Car's Charging Capabilities (and the Charger's Limits):

• Charger's Maximum Output: It's critical to remember that an EV charger cannot go beyond its set maximum charging limit. If you're plugged into a 50 kW charger, your car will never charge at 100 kW, even if your vehicle is capable of accepting more. The charging speed will always be limited by the lower of two values: the charger's maximum power output or your vehicle's maximum acceptance rate.
• Your Car's Max Charging Rate (kW): Every EV has a maximum power it can accept, both for AC (Level 2) and DC Fast Charging (DCFC). For example, if your car can only accept 50 kW, plugging into a 150 kW or 350 kW charger won't make it charge any faster than 50 kW.
• Charging Curve: EV batteries don't charge at a consistent speed. They charge fastest when at a lower State of Charge (SoC), typically between 10-20% and 80%. As the battery gets fuller (especially above 80%), the car's Battery Management System (BMS) intentionally slows down the charging speed to protect battery health and longevity.
• 80% Rule for DCFC: For DC Fast Charging, it's generally most efficient and fastest to charge to around 80%. The time it takes to charge the last 20% can often be as long, or even longer, than charging from 20% to 80%. If you're on a road trip, it's usually faster to make two shorter stops to 80% than one long stop to 100%.
   

2. Choose the Right Charger Type:

• DC Fast Charging (DCFC/Level 3): These are by far the fastest public chargers, delivering power from 50 kW up to 350+ kW. Use these for quick top-ups on long journeys or when you're in a hurry.
• Level 2 (AC Charging): These typically offer 6-22 kW and are suitable for charging while you shop, eat, or are at work. They won't "fast charge" your car in minutes, but they are great for adding significant range over a few hours. Ensure your car can accept the full AC power of the station (e.g., if it's an 11 kW charger, ensure your car has an 11 kW onboard AC charger).

3. Battery Temperature is Key:

• Optimal Temperature: EV batteries charge most efficiently when they are at an optimal temperature, usually between 20-25°C (68-77°F).
• Preconditioning: Many modern EVs have a battery preconditioning feature. If you set a DC Fast Charger as your destination in your car's navigation system, the car will automatically start heating or cooling the battery to bring it to the ideal temperature for fast charging upon arrival. This can significantly reduce charging time, especially in very cold or very hot weather.
• External Factors: In extreme cold, batteries will charge much slower as the BMS limits power to protect the battery. In extreme heat, charging might also slow down due to thermal throttling to prevent overheating.

4. Minimize "Parasitic Loads" While Charging:

• If you're sitting in your car during a DC Fast Charge, activities like running the air conditioning or heater, using the infotainment system extensively, or charging your phone can draw power directly from the charger. This means less power is going into your battery, slightly extending charging time. If speed is your absolute priority, minimize these activities.

5. Check Station Availability and Status:

• Utilize Your SWTCH's Map Feature: Make sure to use the SWTCH app's built-in map feature. This valuable tool allows you to easily locate SWTCH chargers in any area and, crucially, see their real-time status. You can quickly check if a charger is currently in use, available, or under repair, helping you navigate directly to a functional and open charger without wasted time.
• Shared Chargers: Some charging stations (especially older or lower-power DCFCs, and many Level 2 stations) share their total power output between multiple ports. If another car is charging on the same station, your charging speed might be reduced. If possible, pick a station that isn't splitting power with another vehicle.
• Use General EV Charging Apps: You can also check EV charger locators like PlugShare for real-time station availability and status of third-party provided chargers. A charger that's "unavailable" or "out of order" obviously won't charge you at all, and a charger that's shared might split power if another car is already plugged in.
   

6. Keep Your EV's Software Updated:

• Automakers frequently release software updates that can improve battery management, optimize charging curves, and even unlock faster charging speeds. Ensure your car's software is always up-to-date.
   

7. Proper Connection:

• Ensure the charging cable is securely plugged into your car's port and the charging station. A loose connection can sometimes lead to reduced power delivery or intermittent charging.
   

While you can't control the charger's maximum output or the inherent physics of battery charging, applying these tips will help you get the most efficient and fastest charge possible from public EV charging stations.