Lithium-ion batteries don't love extreme heat, and Coachella Valley summers are about as extreme as it gets in California. The good news: your EV's battery management system already does a lot to protect itself, and a few simple habits help it do its job.
1. Park in the shade or a garage whenever you can
A car sitting in direct sun on a 115-degree day can get far hotter inside than the air around it. Covered parking, a garage or even the shady side of a building reduces how hard the cooling system has to work, and leaves more range for driving.
2. Keep everyday charge levels in the middle
Most manufacturers recommend keeping the battery between roughly 20% and 80% for daily driving and saving 100% for road trips. Sitting at a very high state of charge in high heat adds stress. Check your owner's manual for your vehicle's specific advice.
3. Charge when it's cooler
Batteries accept charge more efficiently when they aren't hot, and many EVs slow charging speeds to protect a warm pack. Overnight or early morning charging is easier on the battery. That's one reason many of our customers schedule overnight at-home charging during summer.
4. Precondition while plugged in
Use your EV's app to cool the cabin before you leave, ideally while the car is still plugged in. That way the energy comes from the charger instead of your battery, and you start the drive with a cooler car and more range.
5. Don't leave the car sitting at a very low charge
A battery parked near empty in the heat is a bad combination, and the car still uses energy to keep the pack cool. If you're running low and can't get to a charger, call for a Quick Boost rather than letting it sit.
Bonus: check your tires
Heat changes tire pressure, and under-inflated tires hurt range. A quick monthly check is one of the cheapest efficiency gains there is.
Questions about your specific EV? Call us at 760-278-9676. We talk batteries all day.