Electric vehicles offer many similarities to gas-powered cars, such as four tires, a steering wheel, and pedals for braking and accelerating. Still, one aspect you may not be familiar with is how to check if an electric car battery is fully charged.
Charging an EV battery is a simple task, at least in concept. You find a suitable power outlet or charging station and plug in the car. However, battery capacity and charging levels are primary concerns for those exploring EV ownership. Rest assured, you can monitor battery levels just as easily as see how much fuel is in a petroleum-fueled car’s gas tank.
Here are some tips about how to check the charging status of an electric car.
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How to Determine if Your EV Battery is Charged
Most newer electric vehicles have three easy ways to check on battery charging.
1. From the Instrument Cluster
Consulting the dashboard charge level indicator is the most familiar way to confirm the state of charge. This method requires you to hop into the vehicle, tap the start button, and wait for a digital gauge to illuminate. On some older EVs, like the original Nissan Leaf, this gauge consists of a series of bars working their way toward “full” with more charge.
Most newer EVs show the amount of battery charge on a digital screen somewhere in the instrument cluster. In Tesla models, it’s in the center display screen.
EVs will also estimate how much longer it will take for the battery to reach capacity at the current rate.
2. Charging Status Lights
While plugged into a charger, most EVs indicate their charge status with lights on top of the dashboard or around the charging port (or both). The meaning of these lights varies by EV, so consult your owner’s manual.
Hyundai, for instance, has a small lamp next to the charge port with three bars showing the approximate battery status. It uses green and yellow lights that either stay illuminated or blink to indicate how close the battery is to being full. More importantly, the lights signal whether the vehicle is charging at all.
The Tesla Model 3 has a light disguised as a Tesla “T” logo near the charge port. It pulses green when the vehicle is charging and remains solid green when the charge cycle is complete.
Another example is the Volkswagen ID.4. Its charging status light switches from white to green when the vehicle begins charging. It shines red if there’s a fault in the system, too.
Since many users will set their vehicles to charge overnight when variable electricity rates may be lower, these indicators serve as an easy confirmation at a glance.
3. From a Remote Smartphone App
All but the earliest EVs offer advanced remote functions via an automaker-provided smartphone app available to both Android and Apple iPhone users.
The scope of these apps varies by manufacturer. For EV users, the functionality of their app allows remote monitoring of the current charge status. Also, apps provide an easy way to schedule charging. This feature is beneficial if your power company has variable electricity rates. For instance, scheduling charging sessions can avoid peak rates or reduce your load when using significant power for air conditioning or drying clothes.
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Types Of EV Chargers
EV charging falls into three levels:
- Level 1. The slowest type of EV charging, Level 1, uses a standard three-prong household outlet. This type of charging takes a long time to impact an EV battery. Owners usually rely on it only when Level 2 or Level 3 chargers are unavailable.
- Level 2. You need a special charger for Level 2 charging. It requires a 220/240-volt electrical connection, which EV owners often add to their garage or driveway. Charge times vary based on battery capacity and the charger’s power output. Many public charging stations provide Level 2 chargers for a fee or free.
- Level 3. The fastest EV charging is Level 3, also known as DC Fast charging. While not typically found in residential situations, Level 3 chargers are becoming increasingly common in public charging stations and comprise the Tesla Supercharger network. These chargers pump 900 volts or more into an EV, which means as many as 20 miles per minute of charge for the most efficient models.
