New EV owner guide: your first week
What to do in your first week with a new EV: charging setup, apps, settings, and habits to build.
Put the advice next to real savings examples
The guide gives you the decision framework. The rolling examples show how much the numbers can move once model and location enter the picture.
EVs have ~20 moving parts vs 2,000+ in a gas engine
Day 1: Set up home charging
Plug into your outlet or Level 2 charger the first night. Set a charge limit of 80% in the car's app — this is the optimal daily limit for battery longevity. Only charge to 100% the night before a long trip. Starting this habit on day one costs nothing and protects your battery for the next decade.
Day 2: Learn the charging screen
Spend 10 minutes on the car's charging screen or app. Find: current state of charge, estimated range, charge limit setting, scheduled charging time, and the charging history graph. Understanding what normal looks like (charge speed, state of charge progression) helps you identify issues early.
- ·Set daily charge limit: 80% in car settings or app
- ·Enable scheduled charging: set off-peak start time
- ·Find charge port release: know how to open it manually
- ·Bookmark a fast charger: know where the nearest DC fast charger is
Day 3: Practice regen braking
Set regenerative braking to maximum. Drive a 10-minute loop around your neighborhood using only the accelerator pedal to control speed — no brake pedal except for full stops. One-pedal driving feels odd for 20 minutes, then natural forever. You'll use it on every drive.
Day 4: Set up navigation with charging
Enter a destination 100+ miles away in the car's navigation. Let it route with charging stops included. Note how it estimates charging time and arrival SoC. You're not actually going there — you're learning how the car thinks about range so long trips feel predictable, not stressful.
Day 5: Install PlugShare
Download PlugShare, create an account, and save 2–3 nearby DC fast chargers as favorites. Add one positive check-in after you successfully use a public charger. The PlugShare community is what makes public charging work — participate in it.
Day 6–7: Enroll in TOU pricing
Contact your utility or search their website for time-of-use EV rate plans. Enrollment takes 5 minutes online and takes effect in 1–4 weeks. While you wait, set your car's charging schedule to charge only during 9pm–6am. This alone saves $150–$300/year with zero other changes.
Hardware with a network behind it
These chargers come with access to a nationwide public network — one app for home and on the road.
America's largest charging network. Buy a ChargePoint Home Flex and get access to 70,000+ public stations with the same app.
- Adjustable 16–50 A
- Works with any EV
- 70k+ public stations
Smart home charger with built-in energy monitoring, TOU scheduling, and utility rebate eligibility in most states.
- Up to 48 A / 11.5 kW
- TOU auto-scheduling
- Utility rebates
We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you.
See your exact numbers
Pick your EV, your current gas car, and your state — get a personalised savings estimate with real 2026 rate data.
5 questions to see whether an EV fits your commute, parking, and lifestyle.
Avoid the eligibility traps and get the full $7,500 EV credit.
A no-nonsense checklist for home EV charging, from panel to permit.