Summer is a great time for outdoor adventures, but high temperatures can take a toll on an electric vehicle (EV). Hot weather affects battery performance, charging efficiency, and overall vehicle health. It can also degrade a battery’s capacity, speeding up its aging process and reducing driving range with each charge.
To keep your EV running smoothly during the warmer months, follow these essential tips:
Try to Park in the Shade to Prevent Battery Overheating. Lithium-ion batteries, which power most EVs, are sensitive to extreme temps. Direct sunlight can cause batteries to overheat, reducing efficiency and their overall lifespan.
How to protect your EV:
- Park in a garage or a shaded area whenever possible.
- Use a windshield sunshade to minimize heat buildup inside the car.
- If available, enable your EV’s thermal management system to regulate the battery’s temperature.
Precondition Your EV While Plugged In. Starting your drive with an already-cooled cabin and battery can significantly improve efficiency. Many EVs allow you to precondition the interior while the car is still plugged in, reducing the need to drain battery power for cooling.
Best practices for preconditioning:
- Use your EV’s mobile APPto schedule cooling before you leave.
- Always precondition while connected to the charger to save battery energy.
- If your EV has a heat pump, take advantage of it for efficient climate control.
Adjust Charging Time to Avoid Peak Heat. Charging your EV during the hottest part of the day can strain the battery and slow the charging process. High temps can also trigger battery cooling mechanisms, consuming extra energy.
Smart charging strategies:
- Charge in the early morning or late evening when temperatures are lower.
- If you use public fast chargers, look for shaded or indoor charging stations.
- Use scheduled charging features to start charging during off-peak heat hours, when you get the slowest charging speeds and the highest grid-demand costs.
- The ideal summer window is late evening (7:00pm-12:00am), when temps cool and you can enjoy off-peak rates. Early morning charging (5:00am-8:00am) is also 20% faster charge than midday charging.
Monitor Battery Temperature During Long Drives. Long-distance travel in hot weather can cause battery temperatures to rise, potentially affecting performance. Most modern EVs have built-in cooling systems, but it’s still important to keep an eye on battery health.
Use Eco-Mode and Efficient Driving Habits. Driving habits have a direct impact on battery efficiency, especially in hot weather. Rapid acceleration, high speeds, and excessive air conditioning usage can drain your battery faster. Too much sudden braking also consumes more battery power. It also helps to take breaks on long trips to let your battery cool down.
Energy-saving tips:
- Activate Eco Mode to optimize power consumption.
- Drive at moderate speeds and use regenerative braking whenever possible.
- Set the AC to a reasonable temperature and use ventilated seats, if available.
Additional EV tips:
- Limit direct current fast charging (DCFC) to 80% when temps rise above 95°F (most EVs automatically derate speeds).
- You can charge during thunderstorms but try to use covered stations.
- Keep an eye on your dash for “Battery Cooling” alerts.
- Allow batteries to cool for 30-45 minutes before charging, after hard driving.
- Don’t “overcharge” your EV. Try to maintain a charge between 20% and 80% for better battery health.
- Maintain proper tire pressure: Low tire pressure increases rolling resistance, leading to higher battery consumption.
- Schedule regular servicing: Routine maintenance keeps the battery in good condition and extends its lifespan.
Summer heat can pose challenges for EV owners, but with the right precautions, you can keep your vehicle in top shape. By parking in the shade, preconditioning your car, adjusting charging times, monitoring battery temperature, and adopting efficient driving habits, you can maximize battery life and performance.
