Do I need to charge my electric car every night?

No, you don't need to charge your electric car every night. 

You can, of course - but if range anxiety or smartphone habits are fuelling your charging decisions, it might be time for a rethink. 

Nightly charging helps maintain battery health and will combat any lingering range anxiety you have. But if your electric vehicle (EV) is powered by a lithium-ion battery, letting it reach 100% charge night after night will strain the cells over time.

If you want it to last, consider setting a charge limit. With the average range of an EV being between 300-450 miles (WLTP Comb) these days, operating at 80% will be more than enough to cover the school run, your commute, and any quick trips to the shops.

You’ll probably want to top up to 100% when you have a long journey planned though.

As for range anxiety? It’s on its way out.

Manufacturers are continually pushing the limits, and EVs like the BMW iX3, Volvo EX60 and Tesla Model 3 can go further on a single charge than ever before – making nightly charging a requirement of the past.