If you rely on an electric vehicle for transportation, your daily driving habits depend on two crucial factors: how far you need to go, and how far your EV can go on a charge. Without proper planning, the seemingly simple task of getting from A to B can become more complicated than it needs to be.

Keeping the basics in mind may seem simple enough, but a number of variables can complicate your planning. Do you want to charge your EV outside of business hours to reduce your electric bill? Will you have the option of charging on the go, and if so, is it practical to leave the house with less than a full charge? What is your on-the-go charging strategy, and how do you plan accordingly?

Let’s cover the basics first. If you have a Level 2 charger at home, congratulations! You now have the most effective tool for EV convenience at your disposal.

First, you’ll want to keep track of how long it takes to charge your car, bearing in mind that a partial charge (to 60 or 75 percent) can be significantly faster than a full charge to 100 percent. Don’t rely entirely on the manufacturer’s stats, as a number of factors (the amps of your charger and the condition of your battery, for starters) can affect actual charge times. Make a note of real-world charge times, then you can plan around them.