Daily charging to 50%

[zpowell]

Is it better, worse, or irrelevant to charge to 50% daily vs 70%? I only use approximately 10% of my battery daily. Sometimes I’ll use 20-30%. I still daily charge to 50% at home. I’ll charge more if I need it ahead of a trip.

Pertaining to battery health long term is there any benefit to keeping a 50% vs 70% charge for daily?

Can’t seem to find a clear answer. Not concerned about battery degradation, but if there is a better way or any benefit I want to know about it. Would like to have a better understanding of battery technology.

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[Oldsmobile_Mike]

I wouldn't go that low, personally. That's a whole lot of unnecessary disconnect/reconnect cycles. And what if there's an emergency? ?

 

[zpowell]

I wouldn't go that low, personally. That's a whole lot of unnecessary disconnect/reconnect cycles. And what if there's an emergency? ?

I plug in daily so it’s not any more cycles. If there is an emergency I’ll take my Yukon.

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

I plug in daily so it’s not any more cycles. If there is an emergency I’ll take my Yukon.

I mean, it is more cycles if you're plugging it in every day to charge to 50%, vs plugging in every two or three days to charge to 70% or 85%. There've been a few posts from people who've gotten bad pins on the connector. That's just something I'd like to avoid as much as possible, personally.

Not everyone has an option for a 2nd vehicle, but you do you, LOL. ?

 

[WorldComposting]

I mean, it is more cycles if you're plugging it in every day to charge to 50%, vs plugging in every two or three days to charge to 70% or 85%. There've been a few posts from people who've gotten bad pins on the connector. That's just something I'd like to avoid as much as possible, personally.

Not everyone has an option for a 2nd vehicle, but you do you, LOL. ?

I don't' think that isn't how battery cycles work and charging to 50% could be best for your vehicle.

I do agree that I don't think it is necessary to charge to 50%. I have a second vehicle also and still charge mine to 80% all the time and I typically use only 8-15% when I head out and really if I need more than 150 miles it is a planned trip. But I keep it with over 200 just in case something comes up or if there is a power outage for days which has happened a few times in my house.

 

[zpowell]

I mean, it is more cycles if you're plugging it in every day to charge to 50%, vs plugging in every two or three days to charge to 70% or 85%. There've been a few posts from people who've gotten bad pins on the connector. That's just something I'd like to avoid as much as possible, personally.

Not everyone has an option for a 2nd vehicle, but you do you, LOL. ?

I plug in every day because everyone, including Rivian, says ABC (Always Be Charging).

 

[Mathme]

I agree with the above comment and charge mine to 70-80% and then charge again when it gets down in the 30s. You never know when something will come up and you need those miles AND you're also insulated in case of a power outage.

 

[zpowell]

Another way to think about it…Rivian allows for a 50-100% charge. Why 50%? For what reason would you ever charge to anything below 70%?
If there is no good reason to charge below 70% then why would they give us that ability too?

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

I don't' think that isn't how battery cycles work

I meant physical cycling of the charge port connector. Thought that was obvious from my wording... LOL. Just don't need to be plugging and unplugging a bunch of times unnecessarily. Imho. #shrug

 

[Lizardo]

I set mine to 50%. Plug in nightly.

 

[srnyoung]

This being the internet, I KNOW someone will correct me regardless if I am wrong or not…

I believe the ideal is the battery stays closest to 50%. So, you should charge to 55% so that after your daily 10% draw, you’ve averaged the 50%.

IRL, you won’t be doing measurable damage by charging 1x / week up to 80% and charging at the end of the week. Add more for expected trips as needed. Fewer charges MAYBE will lead to less wear and tear on the charge port as others have pointed out.

 

[emoore]

I don't think it matters if it's 50%, 60%, 70%, and probably 80%. You won't notice a difference in battery degradation between them. Daily charging percentage is like the EV version of what oil should I use in an ICE. Usually doesn't really matter within reason.

 

[Dark-Fx]

Another way to think about it…Rivian allows for a 50-100% charge. Why 50%? For what reason would you ever charge to anything below 70%?
If there is no good reason to charge below 70% then why would they give us that ability too?

50% for extended storage. Leave it plugged in.

 

[Buckets0fun]

lithium battery chemistry typically has more of an issue with calendar based aging/degradation than SOC based degradation.

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

Technically it might be better for the battery. Realistically you will probably not notice any difference in degradation over charging to 70%. As someone else pointed out if you have an emergency you may not have enough charge.

Taking it below 20% is worse than charging up to 70%. I would go with Rivians recommendations. 70% for daily use, 85% if 70% is not enough, and 100% for road trips.

Don't drive yourself crazy over the battery. You have an 8 year 175,000 mile warranty.

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