As the temperatures rise this summer, you might be busy planning lots of fun days out. An electric vehicle (EV) can be a comfortable and cost-effective way to travel. And, like all cars, can be affected by hot weather, so it’s important to know how to care for your battery in the heat.
Motoring journalist Nick Harper shares some tips for looking after your EV battery in the summer months to make it last longer and help keep it in great condition.
- How heat can affect your EV battery
- How to care for your EV battery before you set off
- How to extend your EV battery life during your journey
How heat can affect your EV battery
An EV’s battery powers your car and gets you to where you want to go. But when a battery gets too hot, it cannot produce as much power as normal. This can reduce its range, giving you fewer miles before you need to charge the battery again.
Most EVs have a Battery Management System (BMS) that monitors temperature to help keep it at a consistent level. According to EV charging provider Pod Point, the ideal temperature for an EV battery is between 20-25°C. A study found that at 27°C, an EV can lose 18.7 percent of its range and at 35°C, it loses 33.1 percent. So, the hotter the car and its battery, the fewer miles your car will travel.
It’s important to remember that EVs are just as safe to drive as petrol or diesel cars. And, in some ways, EVs can be even safer due to their newer technology and features.
How to care for your EV battery before you set off
Precondition your EV
Preconditioning allows you to set the temperature inside your EV before you even leave the house. You can use an app to bring the inside temperature of the car down in hotter weather (or up, in colder conditions). This makes it more comfortable for you and it can also bring the battery temperature down. If you have a home chargepoint, you can precondition your car while it’s charging so that you do not use any extra battery.
Go electric with the Motability Scheme
As a part of the full lease package with the Motability Scheme, you can get a home chargepoint installed at no extra cost with Scheme partner, Ohme.
Keep your EV covered
In hot weather, try to keep your car out of the sun and in the shade as much as you can when not using it. A protective cover creates a barrier against the heat when parked or when you’re using a public charging point. You can keep the cover in your boot in warmer months so it is ready to use when you need it. If you have a garage, keep your EV in there until you’re ready to use it.
Check your tyres
EV batteries have to work harder when tyres are not inflated to their recommended level. This means batteries are also likely to heat up faster. This is similar to a petrol or diesel car’s engine having to work harder and use more petrol if it is driven on under-inflated tyres. Check your tyre pressure regularly to help put less strain on the whole car. Your manufacturer’s manual will list the correct level.
Tyre repairs
As a part of your full lease package with the Motability Scheme, you’ll get your tyres repaired or replaced by Scheme partner, Kwik Fit.
The easiest way to get in touch about a tyre repair is through your Motability Scheme online account under the ‘Tyres’ section.
Declutter your car
While EVs can carry as much weight as a traditional petrol or diesel car, extra weight can impact the battery, just like it would impact fuel. Think carefully about what you need to take on your journey. Leave behind any items you do not need so that your EV is as light as possible.
Avoid overcharging
EVs run most efficiently when the battery is charged between 20 and 80 percent. While it’s fine to charge your EV to 100 percent for long journeys, it’s recommended that you avoid doing this for everyday driving. Just like your mobile phone and laptop, overcharging puts more stress on the battery and can reduce how effective it is over time.
How to extend your EV battery life during your journey
Use a medium regenerative braking setting
A big advantage EVs have over petrol and diesel cars is the regenerative braking feature. This gives energy back into the battery when you slow down, which can add miles to an EV’s range. But in hot weather, higher regenerative braking settings put energy back into the battery faster, which can create more heat. Choose a medium setting to get the best out of this feature.
Use air con at a low level
Turning on air conditioning in your EV has two key benefits. It keeps the driver and passengers cool as well as lowering the battery’s temperature to help keep it in optimal condition. While having the air conditioning on at a low level in your EV will use energy from your battery, the impact is small.
Regular servicing of your EV’s air conditioning system is important to maintain good battery health. Checks will make sure your air filters are clear of any blockages and working efficiently. These maintenance checks are covered, at no extra cost, as a part of your Motability Scheme lease package.
Hit eco-mode
Most EVs have an eco-mode option. This can lower the power by changing to a slower and more economical acceleration. It can also adjust the lighting and climate controls to help lower the battery’s temperature and, as a result, maximise its range.
Drive smoothly
Speeding up and slowing down quickly will make your battery work much harder. Just like with petrol and diesel cars, this type of driving uses more fuel. In EVs, it raises the battery’s temperature and reduces its range. To help you drive more smoothly and keep a consistent speed, read the road ahead to allow you to react in good time.
Use less in-car technology
Touchscreens, sound systems and charging points inside an EV all use the battery. While having the radio on will not reduce your range much at all, the more tech you use at the same time can impact your battery range. Limiting the number of in-car technology features can help to keep your battery cooler in hot weather and maximise mileage.
How can I find an electric car on the Motability Scheme?
You can choose to pick from fully electric cars by ticking the ‘Electric’ box under ‘Fuel Type’ in the Car Search tool.
You can tailor the choice of cars available on the Scheme to your specific needs. The ‘advanced search’ function lets you narrow down choices to your exact requirements, including Advance Payment, brand, individual model, body style, fuel type, fuel consumption, number of seats, and even whether it’s eligible for younger drivers.
- Learn about the types of vehicle available to lease on the Scheme
- Check if you’re eligible to join the Scheme
- Request a free information pack to learn more about the Scheme
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