How does hot weather affect EV battery range?

Electric cars do not like hot weather, with reduced mileage, battery and tyre damage all problems associated with driving EVs in heatwave conditions in the UK or when taking your electric vehicle across the Channel to France or other European countries.

Here motoring journalist and expert Pete Barden takes a look at the problems that hot weather causes EVs and how to address them.

Charging an electric car in heatwave conditions? Try to find a shady charger to help improve cooling (Credit: Pxhere)

How hot weather affects your EV's battery

The battery in your EV is made of lithium-ion cells, which are sensitive to heat. When the temperature gets too high, the battery can overheat and lose its capacity. This can lead to a reduced range and even damage to the battery.

Here are a few things that can cause your EV's battery to overheat and cut range:

• Parking in direct sunlight: The sun's rays can heat up the battery even when the car is turned off.
• Using the air conditioning: The air conditioner uses energy, which can heat up the battery. When things heat up in the UK, air conditioning is essential for most drivers but it has been reported that using air-con in heatwave temperatures can reduce range by about 17 per cent. This means a normal 200-mile range  would be slashed to about 166.
• Driving at high speeds: Accelerating and braking quickly can also heat up the battery.

How you can help keep your EV's battery cool:

• Park in the shade: This will help to keep the battery from overheating.
• Use the air conditioning sparingly: If you do need to use the air conditioning, use it on a low setting.
• Drive at a steady speed: Accelerating and braking quickly will use more energy, which will heat up the battery.
• Keep your tires inflated: Properly inflated tires will help to improve your car's fuel efficiency and reduce the amount of heat generated by the tires.

By following these tips, you can help to keep your EV's battery cool and extend its lifespan.

What to do if your EV's battery overheats

If you think your EV's battery may be overheating, there are a few things you can do:

• Pull over to a safe location.
• Turn off the car.
• Open the windows and sunroof.
• Let the car cool down for at least 30 minutes before driving again.

If the battery overheats again, you may need to have it serviced by a qualified technician.

Hot weather and your EVs tyres

High temperatures, such as those experienced in a UK heatwave, can have a drastic impact on your car's tyre pressure - and this can be made even more concerning due to the fact that many EVs are much heavier than traditional petrol or diesel cars due to the batteries they need to carry. 

If the tyres are not at the correct level of inflation, this will cause the range to reduce, the batteries may also overheat more, and safety will be compromised.

Use preconditioning if your EV has it to help boost range in a heatwave

New electric vehicles (EVs) come with a useful feature called preconditioning. Preconditioning allows you to pre-cool or pre-heat your car's cabin before you get in, so that you can enjoy a comfortable ride right from the start.

Preconditioning can be done through your EV's infotainment system or through a smartphone app. To use preconditioning, simply set the desired temperature and time, and your car will do the rest.

Preconditioning is a great way to save energy and extend your EV's range. When you precondition your car, you are using the energy from the charger instead of the battery. This means that you can use less energy when you are driving, which can extend your range.

Preconditioning is especially beneficial for those who have home EV chargers. When you plug your car in overnight, you can precondition it while it is charging. This will ensure that your car is ready to go when you wake up in the morning.

If you are considering buying an EV, be sure to ask about preconditioning. It is a great feature that can save you money and extend your car's range.

Here are some additional benefits of preconditioning:

• It can help to reduce battery degradation.
• It can help to improve the efficiency of your car's air conditioning system.
• It can help to prevent condensation from forming on the windows.
• It can make your car more comfortable to get into, especially on hot or cold days.

If you have an EV, I encourage you to use preconditioning. It is a great way to improve your driving experience and save money on energy costs.

Tips for driving your EV in hot weather:

• Park in the shade. This will help to keep your car's battery from overheating. If you can't park in the shade, use a sunshade to block the sun's rays.
• Avoid using the air conditioning. If you do need to use the air conditioning, use it sparingly. The air conditioner will use more energy, which will reduce your car's range.
• Drive at a steady speed. Accelerating and braking quickly will use more energy, which will also reduce your car's range.
• Keep your tires inflated. Properly inflated tires will help to improve your car's fuel efficiency.
• Check your battery level regularly. If you're planning on taking a long drive, be sure to check your battery level before you go.

By following these tips, you can help to ensure that your EV performs well in hot weather.

How much range does using air conditioning and other ancillaries cut from your EV each hour?

A report from Gridserve has revealed how much range your car will lose by using the following ancillaries. Use this information to help extend range if running low. 

The top power draw comes from air con, so be wary of using this in hot weather if you have range concerns. 

 

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