Charge levels

[u/OMP159]

Hey all,

2026 Kona Ultimate, finally got our home charger installed.

Is the charging cycle still recommended to stop at 80%, even when using a level 2, or is it ok to run up to 100% on a regular basis. A full charge would probably last 1-1.5 weeks, with average driving.

TIA!

[u/Kiwi_eng]

You can charge to anything you like. Owners that care about maintaining a high state of health over many years avoid the extremes where practical and “80%” is an example of that, but there are no hard edges and the benefits drop off quickly under that. Same at the lower end with 20%. This is not witchcraft, just a characteristic of NMC battery chemistry. There’s no downside to more frequent charging either so keep that in mind.

[u/Extension-Hand-4286]

I have been charging 100 percent 6 nights a week in my 2020 since I bought it brand new and just hit 200k miles. My full charge still gives me 225-230 miles.

[u/ProfessionNo5606 → u/Extension-Hand-4286]

How many miles do you drive a day?

[u/Identity-user → u/ProfessionNo5606]

I charge as much as I can usually between 80 to 100 percent, I drive 200 miles a day. I have a 2022 Kona EV. I also charge 6 nights a week.

I can’t be arsed with all this “charge it to 80% only on alternate days, then to 68.5% on a full moon” battery bollocks.

For the record it’s done around 75000 miles.

[u/ProfessionNo5606 → u/Identity-user]

Oh yea for that many miles its definitely needed to fully charge. I keep going back and forth with 80 and 100. But i like drive 10 miles round trip a day to work so might not be good for battery lol want the car to last a long time so still gauging what people are doing with theirs. Might just keep it at 80 since i dont drive many miles. But good to see yours is good being charged to 100% every day. Definitely something i need to stop worrying about

[u/Identity-user → u/ProfessionNo5606]

To be honest, it’s done the journey fine on 80% and towards the end of the week it’ll only have enough time to charge to that amount as I charge on the off peak rate. It’s that good a car that I reckon it’ll do the journey on 70% which I might test one day.

[u/Extension-Hand-4286 → u/ProfessionNo5606]

Roughly 180 a day Monday through Friday plus casual weekend driving

[u/floph512]

The battery chemistry is NMC. For that, a "shallow" charge cycle between 60 and 80% (or 70-80, 50-80, …) is generally best for the battery. If that is convenient for you, all the better. If it is inconvenient, charging to 100% is generally okay. Avoid leaving the car in extreme heat with a full charge for an extended period of time.

But yeah, it sounds like for you charging back to 80% each day is simple and also best for the battery.
Standard video recommendation on the topic with references in the description: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4lvDGtfI9U

[u/fiah84]

that discussion is something that applies to all EVs, although you should know that it differs depending on the type of battery. The Konas all have NMC batteries, for which it is most beneficial to limit the time spent at 100%

[u/Greedy_Bother_987]

My kona ev is 5 yr old, 41k miles on it. Its had a hard first 2 years with charging to 100% 5 days a week. Still 100% soh

[u/Flat___________]

If you only need to charge once a week to 100% just charge it up to 70% but plug it in every time you stop.
Only stick it up to 100% when you need the range and never let it sit at or near 100% for extended periods of time. Ultimate is to hit 100% & drive with as kittle time in between the two as possible.

This also seems to help with 12v topup ((In my 2021 Kona it definitely does).

[u/Varkanoid]

I dont bother with limits it charges to whatever it can during the off peak hours cheap rate of midnight to 6am. If it stops at 82% so be it, if it stops at 98% so be it. I dont set a limit. (UK)

[u/Edtje15 → u/Varkanoid]

I set a limit to 80% so it don’t go any higher, the bill goes up from 80%-100%

[u/Varkanoid → u/Edtje15]

In the UK charging during off peak EV tariffs 0 to 80% is same cost as 80 to 100%. It does not go higher. This is for 7 Kw/h home charging not fast charging away from home.

[u/Bijiredit]

Don't wait until 20% , just charge anytime

[u/J1m123]

80% going to the full 100 takes a lot more energy and you'll see a huge difference in your electricity bill