EV Owners Told How to Reduce Battery Deterioration in Hot Weather

Electric car drivers have been urged to take extra care this week as the rising temperatures can ruin batteries. Experts have named how drivers can protect their EVs as lithium-ion batteries are prone to deteriorating faster during hot weather.

EV experts at LeaseElectricCar.co.uk have told motorists how to best look after their vehicles during the warmer months to prevent their batteries from becoming damaged.

Lithium-ion batteries found in EVs do not react well with extreme temperatures, and because of the heat, they’re more likely to decline faster and have a reduced lifespan.

This may mean EV owners must replace their expensive batteries more often than the average 10-20 years.

Exposure to heat over time will cause the performance of batteries to deteriorate, reducing a car’s range and increasing charge times.

Using air conditioning during the summer months will further reduce electric vehicle range, with many drivers unaware that turning on the air con can reduce the driving distance of EVs by up to 15%.

The average EV range is estimated to be around 211 miles, so using air con while driving significantly impacts range, reducing it by 32 miles to 179 miles for the average EV.

There are several things EV owners can do to take extra care of their cars throughout the summer to help prevent batteries from deteriorating.

Not using rapid charge points and only charging once the car has cooled down will stop the battery from overheating and regulate the temperature.

Parking in the shade or inside a garage as often as possible is also an effective way to cool down the vehicle during summer.

Tim Alcock from LeaseElectricCar.co.uk said: “The lithium-ion batteries found in EVs will likely overheat if owners are not careful when the temperatures get hotter.

“It’s best to get into these habits to preserve your electric car battery and help extend its lifespan instead of leaving it to overheat and run the risk of deteriorating the battery.

“Drivers should be mindful about parking in the shade, especially during the hottest hours of the day, or park inside a garage. Also, avoiding charging in the middle of the day will help regulate the battery temperature.

“Only charging up to 80% during the summer can stop cell degradation – where the battery loses the capacity to reach a full charge again. Air con can reduce the range of electric cars, so rolling down the windows instead will still keep the car cooler but prevent any travel issues.”

Here are LeaseElectricCar.co.uk’s tips on protecting EVs in the summer:

1. Only Use Air-con When It’s Needed

Research shows that turning on the air con can reduce the range of electric cars by up to 15%. This can be a massive issue for summer road trips – a 100-mile journey could only cover 85 miles in the heat. Only use the AC when essential; keep the windows down, or use a damp cloth over the vents to blast colder air.

2. Avoid Rapid Charging

Rapid charging may be the most efficient way to charge up EVs, but frequently using the faster option might harm the battery. Choose slower charge points throughout the summer, as the accelerated electrical waves and extreme temperatures could damage the battery in the long run.

3. Find the Shade

Be mindful about where to park EVs during the heat, as overexposure to the sun will start to ruin the lithium-ion batteries. Find the shadiest spot in a car park underneath trees or beside a lorry. Homeowners with a garage should park their electric vehicles inside to reduce exposure to the sun’s rays.

4. Only Charge to 80%

Most manufacturers recommend EV owners avoid charging their cars up to total capacity. Setting it to 100% can cause the battery to get hot, and combined with high temperatures outside, may result in cell degradation. This is where the battery loses the ability to charge at the original rate.

5. Don’t Charge Up After Parking

Drivers may naturally plug in their vehicles after parking up, but in the hot weather, it’s recommended to let cars cool down for a couple of hours before charging. To help extend the battery’s life, waiting until the temperature regulates again is essential, especially with the warm weather also contributing.

6. Charge at the Right Time

Similarly to waiting until the car cools down, pick the best time to charge up vehicles to avoid the outside heat throughout the summer. Avoid charging during the hottest hours of the day – which is usually between 11 am and 3 pm. Plugging in when the temperature is cooler will keep the battery regulated and save money when using electricity at off-peak times, such as overnight.

To learn more about looking after EVs in the heat, head to https://leaseelectriccar.co.uk/.