A guide for new electric vehicle owners featuring two Teslas parked at a neon-lit EV charging station at night.

I Just Bought an EV...

What Should I Set Up First?

You have your new electric vehicle, and now the real learning begins.

How should you charge it? Do you need a home charger? Which apps are worth installing? And what should you change before your first Canadian winter?

Most of these questions are easier to answer once you understand how your particular vehicle fits into your daily routine. You do not need expensive accessories or a complicated charging strategy to get started. You need to identify the essentials, configure the features that matter, and avoid overlooking things that could cause problems later.

Here are the questions worth tackling first, from delivery day to your first week of ownership.

1. What Should I Do First After Buying an EV?

Start by learning the vehicle before trying to optimize it.

Your owner's manual is the best place to find instructions specific to your make, model, and year. Electric vehicles share many characteristics, but their controls, charging options, battery recommendations, and software features can differ considerably.

Begin with these priorities:

Learn the main driving controls, dashboard warnings, lighting, and climate controls.
Locate the charging port and understand which connector your vehicle uses.
Confirm what charging cable or equipment came with the vehicle.
Save your purchase documents, warranty information, and roadside assistance details.
Set up the manufacturer's mobile app if your vehicle supports one.
Check that your registration and insurance details are correct.

If you bought from a dealership, ask about any features you did not have time to explore during delivery. You may also need to transfer the vehicle to your own account to access connected services.

Do not worry about learning every menu and setting immediately. Focus first on the features you need to drive, charge, and manage the vehicle safely.

2. Do I Need a Level 2 Charger at Home?

Still deciding whether you need a home charging station?

Read our guide, Do You Really Need a Level 2 Charger? Here's How to Decide, to compare charging options based on your driving habits and home setup.

3. Which EV Apps Should I Download?

You do not need an app for every charging network. Start with the tools that match the places you drive and the chargers your vehicle can use.

Your vehicle manufacturer's app may provide charging status, remote climate controls, scheduled departure settings, vehicle information, or service support. Available features vary by model and subscription.

A charging-network app can help you find stations, check availability, view prices, and start charging sessions where supported. Some networks require an account, while others offer alternative payment methods.

A charging-location or route-planning app can help you compare stations and plan longer journeys. Look for connector filters, recent station information, and route planning that accounts for your vehicle.

Before a long trip, confirm that the planned stations support your vehicle and that you understand how payment and activation work. It is also sensible to have a backup option if a charger is unavailable.

Try the process near home before relying on an unfamiliar station during a busy travel day.

Your aim is to build a small set of dependable tools, not fill your phone with apps you rarely use.

4. What Charging Settings Should I Change?

One of the most useful settings to understand is your vehicle's charging limit.

Some EVs allow you to select a target charge level for everyday use and adjust it when preparing for a longer journey. The appropriate setting depends on the vehicle and its battery chemistry, so avoid applying a universal percentage to every EV.

Check the manufacturer's recommendation for your specific model. Some batteries have different guidance for routine charging and occasional full charges.

Scheduled charging may also be useful if you prefer to charge at particular times or want to coordinate charging with your electricity plan. Scheduled climate control can help prepare the cabin before departure, and some vehicles can condition the battery for particular driving or charging situations.

Explore the settings that are actually available in your car. Not every model supports every feature, and menu names can differ between manufacturers.

One important distinction: a displayed charge limit is a target, not a measure of battery health. If the vehicle does not reach its expected charge level, check the settings and consult the manual before assuming something is wrong.

5. How Can I Prepare My EV for Canadian Winter?

Cold weather can reduce driving range and slow charging, particularly when the battery is very cold. Cabin heating also requires energy, and the effect varies with the vehicle, temperature, and driving conditions.

A few preparations can make winter ownership more predictable.

Learn how preconditioning works

Depending on the model, preconditioning can warm the cabin and, in some cases, prepare the battery before driving or charging. If your vehicle supports scheduled departure or remote climate control, learn how to use it.

When possible, preparing the vehicle while it is plugged in can reduce the energy drawn from the battery for cabin heating.

Check your tires

Cold temperatures affect tire pressure, so check it regularly against the manufacturer's recommended figures. Plan for appropriate winter tires where required or advisable for your conditions.

Prepare your winter equipment

Make sure your windshield washer fluid is suitable for the temperatures you expect. Check the wipers, lights, defrosting controls, and any equipment you need for winter driving.

Allow for changes in range

Do not assume your summer range estimate will apply in severe cold. Pay attention to actual energy consumption and leave a suitable margin when planning trips, especially where charging options are limited.

For more information, Natural Resources Canada provides guidance on electric vehicle charging, including charging behaviour and equipment considerations.

6. What Habits Help Keep an EV Battery in Good Condition?

There is no single charging rule that applies equally to every electric vehicle. The best starting point is the battery guidance in your owner's manual.

Beyond that, a few habits can help you manage the vehicle sensibly:

Use the recommended charging limit. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for normal daily use and longer trips rather than copying settings from another model.

Avoid unnecessary extremes when the manufacturer advises against them. Battery recommendations differ, so learn what applies to your vehicle instead of assuming all batteries should be treated identically.

Pay attention to temperature. Extreme cold can affect available range and charging speed. Learn whether your vehicle offers battery preconditioning and when it is useful.

Monitor tire pressure. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance and can reduce efficiency. Regular checks are particularly useful when temperatures change.

Follow the maintenance schedule. EVs do not need conventional engine oil changes, but tires, brakes, cabin filters, suspension components, and other items still require attention according to the vehicle's service requirements.

You do not need to monitor every detail constantly. Understanding the manufacturer's recommendations and following a consistent routine is a more practical starting point.

7. What Maintenance Does an EV Need?

An electric vehicle generally has fewer routine powertrain service requirements than a comparable gasoline vehicle, but it is not maintenance-free.

The exact schedule depends on the model. Common items to monitor include tire condition and rotation, tire pressure, brake condition, cabin air filters, windshield washer fluid, wipers, and suspension components.

Brake maintenance deserves attention even if regenerative braking reduces how often you use the conventional brakes. Driving conditions and the vehicle's design influence how the braking system wears and should be inspected.

Your owner's manual should identify the required service intervals and any model-specific checks. Keep records of completed maintenance and address warning messages promptly.

If you are unsure whether a service recommendation applies to your vehicle, confirm it with the manufacturer or a qualified service provider rather than relying on a generic EV maintenance schedule.

8. What Should I Accomplish During My First Week?

You do not need to configure everything on the first day. Use the first week to establish a routine and identify any remaining gaps.

On delivery day: Familiarize yourself with the controls, charging connector, documents, warranty information, and essential vehicle features.

During the first couple of days: Set up the manufacturer's app, identify suitable charging locations, and learn how to start and stop a charging session.

Before your first longer trip: Understand your vehicle's range estimates, charging requirements, route-planning options, and available backup stations.

During the rest of the week: Explore useful settings, learn the recommended charging practices, and identify any winter equipment or maintenance items you need.

The order will depend on your circumstances. Someone with a home charger already installed may need to focus on vehicle settings, while someone relying on public charging should prioritize finding reliable stations and understanding their payment systems.

The important thing is to make progress without turning the first week into an overwhelming project.

Use the New EV Owner Checklist to Organize Your Setup and Ongoing Habits

Getting comfortable with an EV involves several small tasks that are easy to overlook when you are learning a new vehicle.

The challenge is not necessarily understanding each feature. It is keeping track of what you have configured, what still needs attention, and which habits you want to maintain as ownership becomes routine.

The CarSimply Club New EV Owner Checklist is designed to help you organize your setup and ongoing habits in one place.

Available in English and French for CA$17, it gives you a dedicated resource to work through your transition to electric driving without relying on memory alone.

Get the New EV Owner Checklist

Final Thoughts

Your first EV does not require a complicated ownership strategy. Start with the essentials: learn your vehicle, establish a workable charging routine, understand the settings that affect daily use, and prepare for the conditions where you drive.

As you gain experience, you will learn which features matter most to your routine and which settings you rarely need to touch. Getting organized early makes that learning process easier and gives you a more reliable foundation for long-term ownership.

Disclaimer: This article provides general educational information. Charging recommendations, battery-care guidance, vehicle features, and maintenance requirements vary by model. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your vehicle.