6 tips for caring for electric vehicles in hot weather.

Studies show that turning on the air conditioner reduces the range of an EV by up to 17%. This means that if an electric vehicle driver plans a 100km trip, they can only travel about 83km in hot weather. Furthermore, according to a survey of 6,000 electric vehicles, the battery drains faster when driven in hot temperatures. This demonstrates that hot weather negatively impacts the EV's powertrain. Therefore, owners should be aware of the following six tips to ensure their electric vehicle lasts longer.

1. Park in the shade.

Hot weather conditions can negatively impact battery life and reduce the charge level of lithium-ion batteries found in electric vehicles. This is similar to what can happen to phone batteries if left in direct sunlight for too long.

To help EVs cope with the heat, owners should park in the shade whenever possible. If that's not possible, drivers should use passive cooling devices such as windshield sunshades to reduce the temperature inside the vehicle.

In particular, fast charging at uncovered stations should be avoided because the high current combined with hot weather can damage the car's battery in the long run. Therefore, in the summer, owners should prioritize slower charging options, such as a standard 7kW charger, and try to keep their car out of direct sunlight.

2. Use preconditioning.

An additional feature that owners get on most modern electric vehicles is a pre-cooling system. This allows the driver to preheat or cool the battery and cabin before starting a journey.

To activate this function, we need to access the basic climate control settings in the electric vehicle's infotainment system or a connected smartphone app, depending on the vehicle's capabilities.

It's important to remember that pre-conditioning works best when your car is plugged in. Instead of drawing power from the EV battery, it will draw from the mains power, so your battery life won't be affected.

3. Only charge the battery up to 80%.

As mentioned earlier, electric vehicle batteries are the same type of batteries found in electronic devices such as laptops and smartphones. Therefore, when charging, there is an optimal percentage that owners need to be aware of to avoid overcharging.

Most manufacturers recommend against fully charging electric vehicles to 100%, as this can cause the battery to overheat. Continuously charging the battery to 100% in the sweltering heat of summer accelerates the degradation of lithium battery cells, leading to a loss of the original charging speed.

When temperatures rise, owners should only charge their electric vehicles to a maximum of 80%. While it's okay to fully charge occasionally if needed for a long trip, avoid making this a habit if you want to keep your battery healthy.

Therefore, when using EVs, drivers need to change their mindset regarding refueling. Unlike gasoline or diesel cars, where we can fill the tank to maximize range, electric vehicle batteries have the ability to self-optimize, meaning they rarely need to be charged to 100%.

In fact, we can extend battery life by limiting the number of full EV charging cycles. Modern chargers and electric cars often come with smart features that allow users to decide the battery charge level, so drivers should utilize these when charging overnight.

4. Use "Eco" mode when driving.

Most EVs and hybrid electric cars have an "eco" driving mode setting to improve efficiency. This mode can automatically control fuel economy while the vehicle is stationary, resulting in fuel savings of up to 10%.

Because electric cars consume more energy when they generate heat, using eco mode on long journeys will significantly reduce the car's range. This means that EVs can minimize the number of charging cycles, thus increasing battery life.

Although driving in "eco" mode limits some EV functions, it's a worthwhile way to save energy. However, it's crucial that both the driver and passengers are comfortable in the vehicle, especially if there are young children or pets in the car, as this method can make the cabin uncomfortably hot due to the air conditioning operating at a moderate capacity.

Additionally, we can take other measures to ensure the battery doesn't drain quickly. For example, regenerative braking allows the vehicle to recover energy by taking your foot off the accelerator and letting the car slow down without pressing the brakes.

5. Limit travel between noon and 3 PM.

When temperatures rise, the components in an electric vehicle can overheat, causing it to consume more energy than usual. The period between midday and 3 p.m. is typically the hottest time of day, so try to avoid driving during that time. Using your EV during cooler times can help reduce the amount of energy the vehicle needs to use.

6. Check your tire pressure regularly and before any long journey.

Electric cars tend to be heavier than models with internal combustion engines (ICE) because of their battery packs. For example, the Volkswagen e-Up weighs over 330kg more than its standard gasoline-powered version.

Therefore, owners need to pay close attention to tire pressure when driving EVs. This is especially true in hot weather, as underinflated tires can reduce the vehicle's performance. In the worst-case scenario, a tire blowout could occur, threatening the safety of the driver and passengers.

Therefore, car owners should purchase a tire pressure gauge for their vehicle to conveniently check this factor. In addition, they can take their car to an auto repair shop so that technicians can perform the tire balancing process.