What's the truth about charging to 100%?

[janstubbs]

I hear dire warnings about charging to 100%. They say the batteries will lose range if that's done. I'm not sure it's the real story.

Why do I say that? In the nearly 4 years I've owned my MME I've charged it to 100% at least once per week, sometimes more often. Over 200 times in total. The times that I didn't charge to 100% I charged it to 90%. Yet I haven't seen a lick of range reduction. Not even the expected wear-and-tear range reduction. In fact, the range is exactly the same now as its always been. Well, there was that bump in range that Ford gave us a couple of years ago. But when I charge it to 100% I've seen no side effects or reduction in range.

I believe the warnings were for people that do DC fast charging, something I've only done a couple of times in 4 years.

I'd say don't worry about charging to 100% if you're only using a level 2 charger based upon my experience. I'd like to hear others' experiences who have owned an MME more than 3 years.

I agree. Range is significantly but temporarily reduced when fast charging as I do only on long trips. I usually charge to 95% at home or 100% if I’m going somewhere the next day but have seen no range reduction. I now have 50,000 miles on the car.

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[MadMatt]

I had a 2017 Focus electric. Very basic car compared to all the charging options we have now. In other words I had no choice but to charge to 100% every night.

Everything was great for 5 years, by year 6 the range started to get noticeably smaller. By year 7 the battery was dead.

so yeah, keep charging to 100%, see what happens

I will say that the battery technology in my 2017 FFE vs what the MME comes with is no where the same, the FFE had cooling issues to start.

however batteries are batteries.. it’s well known sitting at 100% isn’t ideal.

 

[Ford_orr]

In two years of ownership, I've only charged to 100% once on my '23 Premium AWD. Only charge to 90% and only charge when it's down in the 30s percent. I would like me Owners Recommended Guidlines badge now

 

[Sikkun]

47 people respond with 63 different strategies. 2 out of 63 say "follow manufacturer guidelines"... ?

Ah, the value of social media...

I also do what that book thing says to do.

 

[MoonRiver]

I also do what that book thing says to do.

Me too. They must have a reason for 90%.

 

[Philsky]

I hear dire warnings about charging to 100%. They say the batteries will lose range if that's done. I'm not sure it's the real story.

Why do I say that? In the nearly 4 years I've owned my MME I've charged it to 100% at least once per week, sometimes more often. Over 200 times in total. The times that I didn't charge to 100% I charged it to 90%. Yet I haven't seen a lick of range reduction. Not even the expected wear-and-tear range reduction. In fact, the range is exactly the same now as its always been. Well, there was that bump in range that Ford gave us a couple of years ago. But when I charge it to 100% I've seen no side effects or reduction in range.

I believe the warnings were for people that do DC fast charging, something I've only done a couple of times in 4 years.

I'd say don't worry about charging to 100% if you're only using a level 2 charger based upon my experience. I'd like to hear others' experiences who have owned an MME more than 3 years.

Agree 100% ? with you…. Same experience.
I have had my MME first edition extended range for over 3 years - lots of highway, and 50/50 combination of fast charging on the road - charge to 80% and level 2 at home always to 100%.
No range loss… I am in Toronto and want every mile in the winter on many trips - great buffer to start at 100% - given the significant range loss driving at below freezing temps.

For me fast to 80% and home level 2 to 100% has proven to be awesome in real life. Not worth leaving the range on the table by charging to 90%. And no lost range to show for it…

 

[HuntingPudel]

Since NMC batteries despise dwelling at either extreme of the SoC spectrum, I say charge it as you are going to drive. If you need the extra range the next morning, charge to 100%. If not, charge to something less. If you are not going to drive the car for a while, leave it somewhere between 30-70%. ??

 

[devmach-e]

dunno which generation you are talking about but the original PiP has a huge guard band, i think overall like 40% of battery capacity is invisible to the user. i think this in part is to avoid customer complaints and also to preserve the battery. i think these are also NiMH batteries which are quite different from the lithium batteries in newer cars.

The original non-plug-in battery (using NiMH) had a narrow band that was available to the driver, about 40% as you say (40% to 80%). The original Plug-in Prius released in 2012 greatly expanded that using a Lithium-Ion battery. EV use was available from ~25% up to ~85%, with the hybrid only mode available from 17% to 28% (there was overlap between the two modes).

 

[Mach1E]

I had a 2017 Focus electric. Very basic car compared to all the charging options we have now. In other words I had no choice but to charge to 100% every night.

Everything was great for 5 years, by year 6 the range started to get noticeably smaller. By year 7 the battery was dead.

so yeah, keep charging to 100%, see what happens

I will say that the battery technology in my 2017 FFE vs what the MME comes with is no where the same, the FFE had cooling issues to start.

however batteries are batteries.. it’s well known sitting at 100% isn’t ideal.

Probably why Ford doesn’t let us charge to 100%.

98.7 kWh would be 100%. Instead we only have access to 91.

 

[rcechinel]

Does anyone have any actual evidence of long term degradation due to constant 100% charging?

No evidence, just the science. Like chemistry.

Some posts remind me of the movie "Don't look up".

 

[astrorob]

The original non-plug-in battery (using NiMH) had a narrow band that was available to the driver, about 40% as you say (40% to 80%). The original Plug-in Prius released in 2012 greatly expanded that using a Lithium-Ion battery. EV use was available from ~25% up to ~85%, with the hybrid only mode available from 17% to 28% (there was overlap between the two modes).

wow, i think my slide into dementia is complete. i've owned a PiP since they were released and always thought it had a NiMH battery. of course i had 2 regular prii before that so i guess i must have conflated them.

 

[Ezzelin]

I started charging to 90% as I saw this recommended, but then I looked more closely at the manual for my model year. Since I have an LFP battery, the manual recommends charging to 100%. That's what I've been doing since then. That also aligns with other sources that I've read about the recommended charging strategy of LFP batteries. I'm glad I have an LFP!

 

[dalola]

No evidence, just the science. Like chemistry.

Some posts remind me of the movie "Don't look up".

Right. And anyone who says "the" science, goes immediately on my ignore list....?

 

[Chris-MMEX_GT500]

Charge to 100% as you need it, you should be fine. In 3 years and 64,000 miles, I have not seen much change and I charge to 100% at least once a month and at times a few times if I need to.

My overall range has not changed much, but of course that is dependent on several factors.

 

[MadMatt]

I started charging to 90% as I saw this recommended, but then I looked more closely at the manual for my model year. Since I have an LFP battery, the manual recommends charging to 100%. That's what I've been doing since then. That also aligns with other sources that I've read about the recommended charging strategy of LFP batteries. I'm glad I have an LFP!

I have LFP as well, independent data shows they are still susceptible to degradation being at 100%, just less so vs NMC chemistry. I personally keep mine limited to 80% and give it a 100% charge around once a month. Keep in mind Ford's position when it comes to these recommendations (and your plans). Ford (and all EV manufacturers) need to ensure the batteries stay healthy for the warranty period, not more. At that 8 year, 100,000mile ish point they would rather see you shopping for a new EV vs still running around with a 90%+ capacity battery.

Do you think you'll be driving around an 7+ year old Mach (I do..)? If yes then go with the science and limit the capacity. If no then enjoy the range and worry free charging lifestyle.

I see a lot of comments about how "i charge to this and have 50k miles" or " I super charge all the time...". Yeah so none of these vehicles is anywhere near the point you'll see the damage. It takes more than 4-5 years and 60k miles to show.

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