Beatrice Lang
Electric vehicles (EVs) have become increasingly popular, and while the technology has improved, there are still concerns about what happens when an EV runs out of battery. EVs have a longer range than ever before, but factors like weather, driving style, and terrain can impact the battery life, and if ignored, an EV can be completely drained of its battery. This article will explore the implications of an EV running out of battery and provide tips for preventing this from happening.
What happens when an electric vehicle runs out of battery?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Warning indicators | Warning indicators will appear on the infotainment screen and gauge cluster. |
| Speed | The vehicle will slow down. |
| Power | The vehicle will come to a complete stop and lose its ability to move. |
| Towing | The vehicle will need to be towed to a charging station or home. |
| Flatbed truck | Unlike traditional cars, EVs need to be towed on a flatbed truck with all wheels off the ground to avoid damage to the battery. |
| Jumpstart | The 12-volt battery can keep some electronics running but the vehicle cannot be jumpstarted. |
| Charging | Charging an electric vehicle can take several hours. |
| Charging stations | It might be difficult to reach a charging station, especially in rural or remote areas. |
| Battery health | Running the battery down to 0% can impact battery health. |
| Range | The range of an electric vehicle varies depending on the battery voltage, technology, and external factors such as weather and driving style. |
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What You'll Learn
Warning indicators and alerts
Electric vehicles (EVs) are equipped with technology that monitors the battery status and provides alerts when it is running low. These alerts are typically displayed on the infotainment screen and gauge cluster, and they are designed to be more noticeable and frequent than those in internal combustion engine vehicles. It is important to note that EVs calculate the estimated remaining driving range based on your driving style and conditions, so the indicated range may not always be accurate. For example, driving uphill will consume more battery power than cruising on flat ground.
Most EVs will provide multiple warnings before the battery runs out completely. Initially, you may receive a low battery warning, which can assist you in locating a charging station or a secure spot to stop. As the battery continues to deplete, you may experience reduced acceleration power, and the air conditioning or heating system may stop functioning. Eventually, if the battery is completely depleted, the car will power off and come to a halt. At this point, you will need to recharge the battery or call for roadside assistance.
It is recommended to maintain your EV's battery above 20% charge to preserve its health. Fully draining the battery to 0% can impact the 12-volt battery that starts the vehicle and powers electronic accessories. This may result in losing access to electronically controlled items, such as the charge port, and potentially damaging the 12-volt battery. Additionally, charging an EV from 0% can take a significant amount of time.
While the likelihood of an EV running out of charge is slim due to advancements in technology and the expanding charging infrastructure, it is crucial for EV owners to understand the implications and take preventive measures. Proper trip planning, locating charging stations in advance, and keeping the vehicle charged can help avoid situations where the battery runs out unexpectedly.
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Slowing down and stopping
If you ignore the warnings and your electric vehicle (EV) runs out of battery, it will slow down and eventually come to a complete stop. Before this happens, you will notice that you can only drive at low speeds with little to no acceleration power. You will also lose power steering, so pushing the car to safety will be difficult.
When the car finally stops, you will not be able to restart it. You will need to call for roadside assistance or a tow truck to take you to a charging station or your home. Some manufacturers, like Kia and Nissan, offer this service for free. If you are in the United States, you can call AAA for assistance.
To prevent running out of battery, it is recommended that you keep your EV charged as much as possible, especially if you are making a long trip. You can also use regenerative braking, which uses the energy from braking to recharge the battery, and avoid driving in extremely cold or hot weather, as this can affect the battery's performance.
It is also important to note that fully draining your EV's battery to 0% is not recommended, as it can impact the 12-volt battery that powers electronic accessories and starts the vehicle. This can make it difficult to access crucial components, such as the charge port. Additionally, charging an EV from 0% takes a very long time.
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Towing and roadside assistance
If your electric vehicle runs out of battery, it will come to a complete stop. You will need to get it charged either by plugging into an outlet, a charging station, or an emergency vehicle.
- If you are unable to locate a charging station, you may need to call for roadside assistance and have your car towed to a nearby charging station or even your home.
- When calling for a tow truck, inform them that your vehicle is an EV.
- Most electric vehicles need to be towed on a flatbed truck, with all wheels off the ground, as they do not have a neutral gear. Towing an EV in drive or reverse will create a build-up of kinetic energy that can damage the battery.
- Depending on the car model, there may be other quirks to consider during the towing process. For example, the Volkswagen ID.4 requires someone to sit in the driver's seat while the car is being towed, otherwise, it will shift back into Park.
- Tesla EVs have a "Transport Mode" that allows the wheels to slowly spin so you can manoeuvre the car onto a flatbed truck.
- If you are in a remote location, it may take a few hours for the tow truck to arrive and get you to a charging station.
- Some car manufacturers, like Kia and Nissan, offer roadside assistance services for their electric vehicles.
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Charging options
The first thing to do when your electric vehicle runs out of battery is to locate the nearest charging station. You can do this using GPS or mobile apps. Once you've found a charging station, simply plug your vehicle into the charging point and confirm that energy is flowing into the battery pack. If charging doesn't start, you may need to contact emergency assistance services listed in the owner's manual.
It's worth noting that charging an electric vehicle can take several hours, so you may want to plan ahead and locate charging stations along your trip in advance. This is especially important if you're travelling in rural or remote areas, as charging stations may be harder to come by.
If you're unable to locate a charging station, you may need to call for roadside assistance or a tow truck to have your car towed to a nearby charging station or even to your home. Some electric vehicle manufacturers, like Kia and Nissan, offer roadside assistance services that can help you get your vehicle to a charging station. It's important to note that electric vehicles cannot be towed in the same way as traditional combustion engine vehicles, as they do not have a neutral gear. Instead, they must be towed on flatbed trucks, where they sit on the body of the truck rather than being dragged behind it.
To avoid running out of battery in the first place, it's important to keep your vehicle charged as much as possible. This may involve charging your car overnight or when it's left parked for a long period of time. You may also want to consider setting up a home charging station for added convenience. Additionally, regenerative braking is a feature on many electric vehicles that uses the energy from braking to generate power to recharge the battery.
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Impact on battery health
To preserve the health of an EV battery, it is best to avoid letting the charge drop below 20%. Fully draining an EV battery to 0% is not recommended as it can impact the 12-volt battery, which starts the vehicle and powers electronic accessories. Losing the functionality of the 12-volt battery can make it difficult to access electronically controlled items like the charge port. This can result in being locked out of crucial components when they are most needed.
The 12-volt battery may need to be replaced, and charging an EV from 0% takes a very long time. Most EVs provide numerous warnings to alert the driver that the vehicle is nearly out of charge, and these appear on the infotainment screen and gauge cluster. These low mileage range warnings are often more noticeable and frequent than those on an internal combustion engine vehicle when gas is running low.
While electric cars display the estimated remaining driving range, they calculate the distance based on your driving style and conditions. As these can vary, the indicated range remaining might not be accurate. For example, climbing a mountain will consume more battery power than cruising on flat ground. If you ignore the warnings and run out of battery power, there is less chance of damaging your EV's powertrain than if you were to run a combustion engine out of fuel. This is because EVs don't have a fuel pump or filter that can be damaged by running the engine with an empty fuel tank.
Factors such as weather, driving style, speed, outside temperature, topography, and the use of electricity-consuming devices can influence the real-life range and possibly reduce it. The battery may not function as well in cold temperatures, which can restrict your range. The battery may deteriorate more quickly in hot climates.
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Frequently asked questions
If an electric vehicle (EV) runs out of battery, it will stop moving and the driver will need to get it charged. This can be done by plugging it into an outlet, a charging station, or an emergency vehicle.
If your EV runs out of battery, you should first pull over somewhere safe and level, and turn your wheels away from the road. Then, apply your parking brake and turn on your hazard lights. Next, you can call for roadside assistance or a tow truck to take you to a charging station or your home.
You can charge your EV by plugging it into an outlet, a charging station, or an emergency vehicle. You can also use a portable battery charger.
Charging an electric vehicle can take several hours.
To prevent your EV from running out of battery, you should frequently check your battery level, cut back on your energy use, and plan your trips to include stops at charging stations. You can also set up a home charging station for convenience.
