More and more Poles are switching from their traditional cars with combustion engines to electric vehicles. This is a very good solution due to the growing trend towards caring for our environment. Many people who want to change their current vehicle for a so-called electric car wonder whether it is possible to charge an electric car at home. If you also have such doubts, we will try to answer them in the following article.
How to charge an electric car properly and what to look out for?
Before buying an electric car, it's worth taking an interest in what charging options you have. What does this mean? Depending on the model you choose, different types of electric cars need different power output. There are cars on the market with capacities ranging from 60 kWh to those with battery capacities of 80-85 kWh. Depending on which model you plan to buy, you need to know the basics about how to charge an electric car.
Charging an electric car at home - range
The sources you have at your disposal and your knowledge of how much range a car has on a single charge are not irrelevant here. A standard vehicle can cover a maximum of around 200 km on a single battery charge. This is ideal for people who only need the car for short-distance travel, such as to school or work. Cars with a range of up to 500 km are designed for long-distance drivers.
As the range changes, so do the needs of such a car. Here, it is worth bearing in mind that a car with a range of up to 200 km will charge more quickly using a 2.3 kWh household socket than a model with a longer range, whose batteries have a capacity of 70 kWh upwards. With that said, it is important to bear in mind that a home socket will significantly increase the charging time, even for smaller electric cars. It is therefore extremely important to assess your options well before buying an electric vehicle. Garage owners will find the so-called Wallbox helpful. This is a device that concentrates more power than a socket and is able to charge your car faster thanks to a power output of 7 to 11 kWh. 
Electric car - charging, principles
How do you charge an electric car at home? In favour of charging from the socket is its simplicity. All you need to do is plug the cable from the car into the socket and the vehicle will immediately start charging the batteries. As for what level to charge the electric to, the same rule applies as with a smartphone. It is best to fill the battery to a level of 80% power. This will extend the life of the batteries.
It is also important to ensure that the charging process is stable beforehand. What does this mean? Sometimes there are power cuts. For this reason, it is a good idea to find out if any works or technical interruptions are planned before connecting. A lack of continuity in battery charging can affect the condition of the batteries and shorten their life.
With the purchase of an electric car, it is worth asking the dealer for an introduction to its operation. This is where the apps that you can easily install on your phone will come to the rescue. They will not only help you to monitor the car's operation, but will also make charging your electric car much easier.
How to charge an electric car - types of batteries
There are many models of electric cars on the market with different parameters such as the number of doors, engine power or type of air conditioning. However, the most important differentiator is the type of battery used in such cars. Like the current, the type of battery influences how fast an electric car will charge. You will encounter the following battery types on the market:
- lithium-ion,
- lithium-manganese,
- lithium-iron-phosphate,
- lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese,
- lithium-nickel-cobalt-aluminium.
Lithium-ion are the most popular among manufacturers, in the various variants mentioned above. They differ in their composition and service life. However, these are batteries that are well known from other electronic devices such as smartphones, laptops and tablets. Why car manufacturers opt for this particular type of battery is due to their compact size and high performance going hand in hand with safety. 
Electric car charging - how often?
How often you charge your electric car depends on your needs and how fast such a vehicle charges. Fast charging of electric cars is usually done via a Wallbox or at a station. The time taken for such charging can be up to several hours. However, how often this should be done depends on your daily mileage. On average, the statistical driver covers between 40 and 60 km per day. So a model with a range of up to 200 km, fully charged, will last you around 3-4 days. Hence, it is worth remembering not to "refuel" your electric every day. Too frequent charging affects the condition of the battery and can effectively shorten its life.
In which cases should a car battery be replaced?
As with many other battery-powered devices, the time comes to replace the battery in your electric car. The battery's condition is affected by the car's mileage, temperature, as well as charging hygiene. However, many manufacturers guarantee that their products will provide full performance for up to around eight to nine years. Some, on the other hand, express it in mileage ranging from 100 to 200 000 kilometres driven.
