Electric car drivers warned they could face a £1-a-minute charge for ‘idling’ | Coventry Live

Motoring enthusiasts could be stung by charges of up to £1 a minute if they sit at public charging points, says Select Car Leasing. The company’s cautionary statement comes amid a growing number of drivers adopting electric vehicles.

Overstay charges can set drivers back anywhere from 50p to a staggering £10 per minute. With an estimated 1.1 million electric vehicle owners navigating the UK’s roads, some may feel the need more than their peers.

Select Car Leasing boss Graham Conway said: “When a charging station is busy, drivers may want to consider charging their electric vehicle to just 80% instead of all the way. Charging is typically fastest for the first 80% and slows considerably for the last 20% to maintain the vehicle’s long-term battery health.”

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In an additional observation, he shared, “Stopping at 80% means a faster charging time, which is much more considerate for other drivers because it clears the station much faster. It’s also productive at full charge, because the lithium-ion batteries that power most electric cars actually work most efficiently between 20% and 80% of capacity.”

In his closing remarks, Conway said: “Not only is it fast and efficient, charging at 80% would also result in a cheaper payment. So if that final 20% would make the difference between getting home or not, it’s best to save up to 100% fuel on home chargers,” Bristol Live reports.

The Auto Trader Guide points out that many direct current (DC) fast chargers automatically stop charging when an electric vehicle (EV) battery reaches 80% capacity. He points out that topping up an electric vehicle’s battery isn’t as simple as refueling a tank of gas, and doesn’t recommend frequent 100 percent charging.

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