BERLIN: All electric vehicle (EV) owners really want is plenty of charge and for their battery to have a long life – but counter-intuitively, you should try to avoid going overboard on charging.

Most of us now know that to maximise a battery's life, you should only charge it to a maximum of 80%, just like your smartphone.

It's because fully charging your battery increases the electrochemical stress in the battery cells. Similarly, you don't want to let your battery run below 20% too often, either.

Charging beyond 80% also often takes longer as your car's control system often reduces the current when your battery is being filled to the very brim.

So far, so good for daily use. But what about if you are planning to drive a long way, say on a trip and worry about running out of juice on the way?

No fear. The 80%-charge rule is not set in stone.

If you need the maximum possible range for your trip, you can charge your EV to 100%, though bear in mind the potential impact on battery longevity.

If you have an EV with a long range, then feel free make the full use of it and fully charge it up before you head out on a longer trip.

Also, if it's particularly hot outside, you can turn on the air-conditioning inside the car while you are still charging to reduce the energy required for air conditioning after you start driving.

And what if you're planning a longer trip away and will be leaving your car behind? 

If you know your EV is going to be unused for any length of time, try not to leave it on a completely full charge or completely empty, as both conditions can stress the battery.

If you're not going to be driving for several days or even weeks, ideally, it's best to charge your battery to between 50% and 70% beforehand. – dpa/Tribune News Service