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Maybe we’ve all been charging our Teslas too much.
That’s not something most EV owners want to hear. Especially not Tesla drivers who pride themselves on having charging routines as clean and dialed-in as their garage floors. But what happens when a Cybertruck owner admits he charges only from 40% to 60%? Not to 80, not every day, just enough. And he’s not out in the middle of nowhere, he just works from home.
That little slice of confession came from a man named Juan Sandler. And believe it or not, it kicked off an unexpectedly thoughtful conversation in the Tesla Cybertruck Owners group, one that might help you rethink your own habits.
“I usually charge my Cybertruck when it’s around 40%, then up to 60% since I work from home. Is it better to occasionally charge to 80% or is the current set up good enough?” Juan wrote.
What Is ABC Charging and Why Do Some Tesla Owners Swear by It?
Richard Tucker saw the post and jumped in with the sort of certainty that only experience provides. “I have had Teslas for the last 4 years. I have always stuck to ABC charging method, which means Always Be Charging. On my 2018 Model 3 I charged to 90% every night. I needed the range. Now with my Foundation Series Cybertruck I charge daily to 80%. Never had any issues with either vehicle. Traded the Model 3 in with 86k miles, and battery was still at 95% efficiency.”
ABC, or Always Be Charging, isn’t a Tesla rule. It’s a mindset. It means never leaving range on the table. It means plugging in whether you’re down to 30% or still at 75%. For many drivers, especially those with long commutes or unpredictable days, it makes sense.
But is it necessary? Or just a habit disguised as a precaution?
There’s a surprisingly wide range of advice about battery care, and that’s no coincidence. As we explored in this detailed analysis of how some Cybertruck owners who frequently Supercharge see up to 5% battery loss in just months, your charging method matters.
Too Much Charging Your EV Can Quietly Cost You
That’s where people like Marcus Reno come in. He offers a more flexible take. “If you are near a charger, you plug in. ABC: always be charging. Never go below 20% if possible. Never charge your EV more than what you need if possible, 60 to 70%. That’s all you need a day, no more than 80% unless you’re taking a trip.”
So why do many owners still plug in every single day, regardless of how much they’ve driven? One word: fear. Fear of waking up with too little range. Fear of the unusual event that might pop up the next morning.
But as this 203,000-mile Model 3 owner proved with only 9% battery degradation, that fear might be misplaced.
Is Charging to 100% Really That Bad?
Scott Klabund weighed in on this exact point. “I charge mine to 80% routinely. But I have a five-year-old Model X that when I got it, for the first three years, I charged it to 100% an awful lot. My degradation on the battery is no different than any other five-year-old Model X.”
This kind of response creates a shadow of doubt over the hardline advice. Maybe high charging isn’t the problem we think it is. Maybe over-managing your battery is like overwatering a cactus. It’s not just wasteful, it might make things worse.
And yet, stories like this one, where a Tesla owner left their Cybertruck plugged in during an Arizona heatwave and bricked the system, suggest otherwise.
So who’s right? And how do we decide?
What Tesla’s Own Engineers Recommend
William Murray brings a grounded view, pointing to Tesla’s internal advice. “According to the lead battery engineer at the Austin factory, for daily use, let it get to 20% and then charge to 80% unless you’re going on a road trip. Keep in mind 20% is about 65 miles of range so I aim to arrive home for the night with that.”
That advice reflects Tesla’s own documentation and what many long-term owners have discovered: moderation works. In fact, Tesla’s battery tech performs best when kept between 20 and 80 percent. Go too far below or too far above regularly, and you might end up needing to explain why your charging habits ruined your battery.
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But not everyone agrees.
The Case for Charging Your EV Only When You Truly Need It
Antony Stephany has owned a Model 3, a Y, and now a Cybertruck. His family’s approach is calm, methodical, and very different. “We purchased the new Model 3 in 2020 and since then, we have never plugged in 24/7 as people had stated. We always work the car down to below 10% and then we plug and charge overnight to 80%. We’ve never had a problem with charging.”
This is where the conversation shifts. Because while the “charge daily” camp lives in preparation, the “charge only when needed” crew thrives on efficiency. And both sides have valid points.
Still, as Larry McKenzie warns, “If you let it go down to 20% and have a sudden need to use your truck you won’t get very far.” There’s that word again: unexpected. The thing about emergencies is they don’t care about your charging routine.
Charging Etiquette and Ethics in the Age of Shared Infrastructure
Charging habits aren’t just personal anymore. With the rapid growth of EV ownership, the grid and the infrastructure matter. Overcharging, hogging stations, or cycling too often for no good reason has an impact.
That’s why conversations like these matter. They give us a chance to zoom out and think about what kind of EV community we want to build. This includes supporting businesses that install chargers for guests as these innkeepers are doing it right and not creating tension at the plug.
There’s even a case to be made for smarter charging at home. Some newer EV accessories now use algorithms to optimize your charging schedule based on usage, weather, and electricity rates. It’s like having a sleep tracker for your car. Not flashy, not loud, but quietly powerful. And in a world of unchecked energy consumption, maybe that’s what we need more of.
How Charging Speed Affects Battery Life in EVs
Many owners focus on how much they charge, but how fast you charge—especially with frequent Supercharging—can also impact long-term battery health. Understanding the trade-off between convenience and battery longevity is essential, especially for Cybertruck owners who plan to keep their vehicle for years.
- Tip: Slow, level 2 charging at home is typically less stressful on your battery than repeated fast DC charging.
What Happens When You Leave a Tesla Plugged in Too Long
Leaving your Cybertruck or any Tesla plugged in for extended periods might seem safe, but it can sometimes backfire in unexpected ways, particularly in extreme climates or during software updates. This subtopic helps owners avoid mistakes that can quietly damage their vehicle or reduce performance.
How to Build the Ideal EV Charging Routine Based on Your Driving Lifestyle
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Whether you work from home, travel long distances, or rarely drive more than 20 miles a day, your charging pattern should match your needs. This topic would help readers evaluate their habits and choose the most efficient, battery-friendly strategy.
- Tip: Combine range forecasting with planned charging limits (like 20 to 80%) to maximize battery longevity without sacrificing convenience.
A Moral About Tesla Charging You Can Actually Use
Charging your Tesla is more than topping off a battery. It’s a reflection of your habits, your preparedness, and your understanding of how this technology fits into the bigger picture.
The moral here is simple: don’t just follow a routine. Question it. Understand why you do what you do. Be intentional with your charging just like you are with your driving. A little awareness goes a long way, and so does kindness at a crowded Supercharger.
And if you’ve ever wondered what Tesla’s plans are for Cybertruck charging improvements, there’s good news on that front too. Elon Musk confirmed a 500 kW peak speed is coming soon.
What Do You Think?
How do you charge your EV, and why? Do you stick to 80 percent or go higher? Please, share your charging routine and experiences in the comments below. Let’s learn from each other.
Armen Hareyan is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.
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Source: torquenews.com
