How to Charge Your Hyundai EV Vehicles and Tips | Hyundai EV Charging

If you’ve recently purchased a Hyundai electric vehicle (EV) or are thinking about buying one in the future, knowing how to charge and care for your car is essential. Even though you know how to fill your car with gasoline, the idea of charging an EV might still be intimidating. After all, the battery is typically the most expensive part of an EV, and you don’t want anything to happen that might lead to needing a repair or replacement. View our inventory of new vehicles or give us a call today at 817-367-4000.

The process of charging an EV is simple, even if you’ve never done it before. In fact, it’s easier than you might think.

Know Where To Charge Your New Hyundai EV

If you buy a new Hyundai, your first step is to know where to charge it. Some public charging stations are easily accessible and free to use. This means you can use a charging station while you spend time shopping or eating. Even some workplaces have installed charging stations, so you can get a full charge when you’re on the clock. Of course, you may look forward to charging your EV at home. If so, you’ll find that installing a charging station is the most efficient method.

One of the significant life changes you’ll need to make when you buy an EV is remembering to plan ahead. Just as you’re already used to filling your car with gas, you’ll need to become used to charging your car. For example, if you’re planning on taking a road trip, you’ll need to find strategic stops where you can get a quick charge. And if you’re driving locally, if you currently have no idea where to find EV charging stations in the Fort Worth area, consider installing a smartphone app that can inform you of nearby charging locations.

Understand How To Use EV Charging Stations

While plugging your EV in at home is self-explanatory, using a charging station in a garage or parking lot might seem more intimidating. The first thing you need to know is that some public charging stations are free, but most require some form of payment. These stations typically charge you by the kilowatt-hour, which is the amount of energy you’ve used. In some cases, the charging stations charge by the minute. If so, the cost will likely be more than you’d pay at home. Keep in mind that fees for fast DC charging will be higher.

Once you put your card into the machine to pay, you’ll pop open your charging port. The charging hose will be in a holster, similar to a gas station hose. You’ll then plug the charger into the port. Most stations offer Level 2 charging. Once you’re connected to the charger, you can leave your vehicle. While you’ll likely be waiting much longer than you would if you were pumping gas, the process is just as simple.

A variety of factors determine how long it will take to charge your EV. These factors include the power source, the size of your battery, and your vehicle’s charging capacity.

Choose Charging Levels and Equipment Carefully

Even if you’re not able to install a charging station at your home right now, you’ll still be able to charge your car. As you consider different charging options for your home, you’ll need to know the differences between them.

Level 1 Charging

When you buy your EV, you’ll learn that there are two charging levels. Level 1 charging is quite slow, but you can do it from a household outlet. You’ll add just a few miles per charging hour, which isn’t very efficient. For example, if you want to charge your Hyundai Kona at 120 volts, you’ll need over two days to get a full charge.

Level 2 Charging

Level 2 charging is faster and more efficient, but you’ll need special equipment. Level 2 charging uses a 240-volt source. With a 40-amp charging station, you can charge your car daily. If you charge your Hyundai Kona at 240 volts, you’ll get a full charge in just over nine hours. That’s a considerable difference, and it means that you can charge your car completely overnight.

Ideally, this is the type of charging station you’ll want to have at home. If you install a charging station at your home, you can expect to pay for the installation. You can fit a simple 240-volt outlet, but you can also spend more for a larger station with longer cables. A professional can install a charging station in your garage or driveway.

Fast DC Charging

You also have the option to use a combined charging system (CCS) connector, which is even faster than Level 2. In fact, you can get a nearly full charge in about one hour. However, frequently using DC charging to boost the speed of your charge is not recommended. While you’ll get a charge much faster, using it too often can cause your battery to deteriorate more quickly. Charging regularly with other methods won’t have the same deteriorating effect.

Charge Your Battery When It’s Warm

One thing you might not realize if you’ve never owned an EV before is that charging a warm battery is faster than charging a cold one. If you plug it in to charge right after you come home for the day rather than waiting until after it cools down, you may find that your battery charges much faster.

Don’t Let Your Battery Get Low Frequently

If you can keep your battery above 20%, you’ll have a healthy battery that lasts longer. If you use most of your battery daily, make sure you are charging it frequently. Don’t let a depleted battery sit very long without a charge.

If you haven’t already purchased an EV, now is a great time to begin your search. At Hiley Hyundai of Fort Worth, we offer a variety of new and used vehicles, including gasoline fuel, flex fuel, mild electric hybrid, and electric fuel system vehicles. Come in and see us and test drive an EV to see how compatible it can be with your lifestyle.