Better Support for Temporary 100% Charging

[bob_p]

This has happened to us several times, and something Tesla could easily address with onboard and smartphone software changes...

During a weekend road trip, we charged 100% on Sunday morning, before making the drive home, allowing us to skip the superchargers.

When we got home, we forgot the vehicle was set at 100%, so it charged to 100% overnight and sat for hours.

It was only after charging completed on Monday night that we noticed the charge level was still set at 100%.

If charging to 100% is only recommended for infrequent use - before leaving on a long drive, Tesla should do something to better manage this.

A simple change would be to add a pop-up warning on the console/dashboard displays when returning to the vehicle after charging has ended with more than 90% charge - and reminding the driver that the charge level is set above 90% (providing the owner the opportunity to set the charge level back to 90% or lower before starting the drive).

Or setting above 90% could be a single time setting - with the charge level automatically being set back to 90% after the vehicle begins driving after the charging session has finished.

If frequently charging above 90% or having the vehicle parked above 90% for extended periods is not recommended, Tesla could make some simple software changes to help owners better manage "trip" charging.

 

[willow_hiller]

Agreed. Ideally this would be worked into the often-requested end-time scheduled charging. Could be like a "Trip charging" section where you'd input what time you're going to leave. And that way the battery would charge up to 90%, wait until an hour before you leave, resume charging up to 100%, and then set the charge limit back to what you had prior.

 

[TexasEV]

You do get a pop up warning if the charge level remains set at 100% for a few days.

 

[Babaron]

Yes, this is true. I have seen it on a couple of occasions myself.

 

[Electric700]

...

A simple change would be to add a pop-up warning on the console/dashboard displays when returning to the vehicle after charging has ended with more than 90% charge - and reminding the driver that the charge level is set above 90% (providing the owner the opportunity to set the charge level back to 90% or lower before starting the drive).
...

Good suggestion, and you could send it to: [email protected]

 

[ewoodrick]

Sure, great suggestion.

But it doesn't matter. Leaving it at 100% for a few hours isn't going to hurt anything. Even letting it sit at 100% for a few days isn't going to hurt anything. The studies that I've seen suggest minor degradation after leaving it at 100% for about a year.

That's why it won't get implemented, there's no need for it to. I'd even hazard to say that more that 20% of the Tesla owners charge to 100% every day anyway. I'm not aware of other EVs that even have this feature.

It's not a big deal.

 

[Zoomit]

Even letting it sit at 100% for a few days isn't going to hurt anything. The studies that I've seen suggest minor degradation after leaving it at 100% for about a year.

As you know, this is entirely dependent on storage temperature. The most stressing storage condition is 100% and at high temperature.

 

[AlanSubie4Life]

A simple change would be to add a pop-up warning on the console/dashboard displays

If frequently charging above 90% or having the vehicle parked above 90% for extended periods is not recommended, Tesla could make some simple software changes to help owners better manage "trip" charging.

As others have said, it already does this. Charge a few times above 90% in a row and it will warn you.

the studies that I've seen suggest minor degradation after leaving it at 100% for about a year.

That's why it won't get implemented, there's no need for it to.

Since the warning exists, there IS likely an issue of battery health, and no one should be leaving their battery at 100% for extended periods - it's known to be a stressful condition (in general) for the battery.

Occasional charging to 100% and even leaving it for a day or two is likely not going to matter much. Do what you have to do for your needs, and pay attention and follow Tesla's recommendations and any warnings on the screen. Beyond that, don't worry too much about it.