Many drivers know that cold weather can affect an electric car, but the fact is a hot spell may affect performance as well.
High temperatures can reduce battery capacity so you’ll get a shorter range and lower performance and it can also cause batteries to degrade faster, resulting in shorter battery life.
With this in mind, EV charging expert Chris Moniz at Volta EV has given his advice on charging your EV in warm weather and how to avoid degrading performance.
- Choose the Right Time to Charge: Try to charge your EV during the cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or late evening, to minimise the heat stress on the battery.
- Use a Shaded Area: Park your EV in a shaded area or use a car cover to protect it from direct sunlight. This can help reduce the interior temperature and minimise the strain on the battery.
- Avoid Fast Charging: High-speed or fast charging generates more heat, which can be detrimental to the battery’s health, especially in extreme heat conditions. Opt for slower charging when possible.
- Precondition the Battery: Some EVs have a feature called battery preconditioning, which allows you to cool down or warm up the battery before charging. This can help optimise the battery’s performance and charging efficiency.
- Monitor Battery Temperature: Keep an eye on the battery temperature while charging. Most EVs have a built-in system to monitor battery temperature and will automatically adjust the charging rate if the temperature gets too high.
- Maintain Proper Ventilation: Ensure that the charging equipment and the surrounding area have proper ventilation to allow heat dissipation.
- Keep the Interior Cool: If possible, use the vehicle’s climate control system to keep the interior cool while charging. This can also help reduce the overall temperature of the battery.”
