Beatrice Lang
Running out of battery in an electric vehicle (EV) is a rare occurrence, but it can be a stressful situation. While it is possible to completely drain the battery, today's EVs are designed to provide drivers with multiple visual and audio warnings to alert them when their car is running out of energy. If you do find yourself in this situation, it is important to remain calm and follow a few simple steps. Firstly, look for a safe area to pull over and turn on your hazard lights. Then, call for roadside assistance, who can provide a portable charger or tow your car to the nearest charging station. To prevent this from happening, it is recommended to keep your EV charged, be aware of your vehicle's range, and plan your trips accordingly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Warning | Electric vehicles provide multiple visual and audio warnings as the battery starts to run down. |
| Impact on the vehicle | Draining the battery completely is not recommended as it impacts the 12-volt battery which starts the vehicle and powers electronic accessories. |
| What to do | Pull over to the side of the road to a safe spot, turn on hazard lights, call for roadside assistance, jump-start the car with a portable battery charger, or get the car towed to a charging station. |
| Prevention | Keep the car charged, employ regenerative braking, avoid extreme weather, and carefully plan trips. |
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What You'll Learn
Plan your route to include charging stations
Planning your route to include charging stations is a crucial step in ensuring you don't run out of battery in your electric vehicle (EV). While today's EVs provide drivers with plenty of warning when their battery is running low, it's still important to take proactive measures to prevent yourself from being stranded.
Before embarking on a journey, it's essential to be aware of your vehicle's range and the distance you'll be travelling. Different electric vehicles have varying ranges, and factors such as weather conditions, driving style, use of electrical components, vehicle load, and tyre condition can impact your EV's range. Check your battery level frequently during your trip to make sure you're on track.
To plan your route effectively, utilise tools such as GPS, mobile apps, or your car's navigation system if it has one. The PlugShare app, for example, can help you locate charging stations near you and plan road trips with charging stops in mind. Some car manufacturers also offer their own apps, like the Kia Connect App, which provides information on public charging stations and allows you to monitor your battery status remotely.
When planning your route, keep in mind that charging an EV takes longer than fuelling a traditional gas-powered car. Therefore, allocate sufficient time for charging along your journey. If you're taking a longer road trip, be prepared to make a few extra stops at charging stations to ensure your battery stays topped up.
By incorporating charging stations into your route planning and staying vigilant about your battery levels, you can significantly reduce the risk of running out of battery in your EV. This proactive approach will help ensure a comfortable and stress-free driving experience.
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Use regenerative braking to recharge the battery
Regenerative braking is a feature on many electric vehicles that uses the energy from braking to generate power to recharge the battery. This technology has been around for a long time, but it became more prominent with the advent of hybrid and electric vehicles in the early 21st century.
Regenerative braking captures the kinetic energy from braking and converts it into electrical power that is then sent to the vehicle's battery pack. This process can extend the range of your car by hundreds of miles per year and reduce the time spent charging. It also reduces wear and tear on the vehicle's traditional brake components, such as its pads and rotors, resulting in less frequent servicing and lower maintenance costs.
To activate regenerative braking, simply remove your foot from the accelerator or, in some cases, press the brake pedal. The system typically works automatically and seamlessly in the background, with the driver barely noticing its operation. However, the strength of the regenerative braking system can be customised in some vehicles, allowing the driver to set it to its highest setting to harvest as much energy as possible or turn it off completely if they prefer the car to 'coast'.
While regenerative braking can extend the life of a charged battery, it is important to note that it is not a substitute for plugging your vehicle into a charging station. It is meant to be used in conjunction with other external charging sources and not as a standalone solution. Additionally, regenerative braking may impede the vehicle's downhill momentum when travelling downhill on a prolonged grade, requiring the use of the accelerator to maintain speed.
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Avoid extreme temperatures
Electric vehicles (EVs) are not yet equipped to handle extreme temperatures. Both hot and cold weather conditions can negatively impact an EV's battery performance and driving range.
In hot weather, higher temperatures speed up the travelling ions, which can set off a series of unintended chemical reactions that degrade battery components over the car's lifetime. When outside temperatures reach 95°F (35°C) and air conditioning is used, the driving range can decrease by 17%. This is because air conditioning consumes energy, although it should be noted that electric vehicles with a heat pump and reversible air conditioning are more energy-efficient.
Some vehicles have a forced air cooling system to regulate the temperature of the battery, but this is less efficient than other methods. Public charging infrastructures are also affected by extreme heat, as temperatures exceeding 45°C can trigger safety measures that interrupt the charging process.
Cold weather can also reduce EV battery range. When temperatures drop to 20°F (-7°C), the average driving range decreases by 12% compared to 75°F (24°C). This is because the liquid electrolyte between the anode and cathode thickens, slowing down the movement of ions. Charging at temperatures below 32°F (0°C) can be dangerous, as the lithium ions can pile up on the anode's surface and cause a short circuit or even an explosion.
To mitigate the impact of extreme temperatures on your EV's battery, try the following:
- Avoid using air conditioning or heating systems, as these can amplify range loss.
- Drive smoothly and avoid abrupt movements, especially in hot weather.
- Check your vehicle's temperature regulation system and adapt your journeys accordingly. Some vehicles, like Teslas, have robust thermal management systems that keep the battery within a healthy temperature range.
- Precondition your battery for charging by using the in-vehicle navigation system to locate a charger.
- Keep your battery charge between 20% and 80%, and recharge before it drops below 20%.
- Plan your routes to include charging points, especially on long journeys.
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Keep your car charged
Keeping your electric vehicle charged is crucial to avoid the inconvenience and hassle of running out of battery power. Here are some tips to ensure your car stays charged:
Understand Your Vehicle's Range
Different electric vehicles have varying ranges, so it is essential to know how far you can go before needing to recharge. This knowledge will help you plan your trips effectively and ensure you don't get stranded. Check your vehicle's specifications and consider factors such as weather conditions, driving style, and the use of electrical components, which can impact your range.
Regularly Check Your Battery Level
Frequently monitor your battery level to avoid surprises. Electric vehicles typically have a battery indicator that alerts you when the battery is getting low, usually around the 20% mark. Pay attention to these warnings and plan to recharge as needed. You can also use apps like PlugShare to monitor your battery status and locate charging stations.
Set Up a Home Charging Station
Consider installing a home charging station to conveniently charge your car overnight or when it is parked for an extended period. This way, you can start your day with a full charge and reduce the risk of running out of battery during your daily activities.
Utilize Regenerative Braking
Many electric vehicles have a regenerative braking feature that uses the energy generated during braking to recharge the battery. Employing this feature can increase your car's range and help you maximize your battery life.
Plan Your Trips
Proper trip planning can help prevent running out of battery power. Use GPS or mobile apps to locate charging stations along your route and allow enough time to recharge if necessary. Take into account the distance to your destination and the range of your vehicle to ensure you have sufficient charge for your journey.
Keep a Portable Battery Charger
Portable battery chargers are small and can be stored in your car's trunk. They can provide a small amount of energy to jump-start your car if you can't find a charging station. While it may not fully recharge your car, it can be a temporary solution to get you to the next charging station.
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Call for roadside assistance
If your electric vehicle runs out of battery, you will need to call for roadside assistance. This can be a stressful experience, but it's important to remember that it is very unlikely to happen. Today's electric vehicles (EVs) are designed to give you plenty of warning when your charge is running low. They do this through multiple visual and audio warnings, and the alerts are often more noticeable and frequent than those on a traditional combustion engine vehicle.
When your EV's battery gets to around 20% charge, you will start to receive warnings. These will increase in urgency as your charge gets lower, and you may be prompted to find a charging station on your car's navigation system. If you are driving and your battery gets critically low, you should pull over to the side of the road as soon as you can do so safely. Make sure you are in a safe, flat spot, preferably free from sand and mud, and turn your wheels away from the road. Engage your parking brake and turn your hazard lights on to alert other drivers.
When you call for roadside assistance, inform them that you are driving an electric car. They will be able to provide you with a mobile charger, a charging truck, or a flatbed towing truck to take your car to the nearest charging station. Depending on your situation, you may be offered a portable charger to give your EV enough power to reach the closest charging point. If not, your car will be towed to the nearest charging point, or to your home if you prefer to charge it there.
It is important to note that electric cars cannot be jump-started like traditional combustion engine vehicles. While you can use a portable battery charger to provide a small amount of energy to your car, this may not be enough to get your EV moving again.
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Frequently asked questions
First, you should pull over to the side of the road, preferably to a safe, flat spot, and put on your hazard lights. Then, call for roadside assistance. If you have a portable charger, you can use it to jump-start your car. If not, your roadside assistance provider will tow your car to the nearest charging station.
Modern electric vehicles are designed to give you plenty of warning if your battery needs a recharge. You will receive multiple visual and audio warnings as the battery starts to run down. The display will warn you when your car’s battery is low, and when it gets below 5%, the sat-nav will locate and recommend the nearest charging point.
You can jump-start an electric vehicle using a portable battery charger or by connecting it to another car's battery. However, you should consult your vehicle's manual before attempting to jump-start your electric vehicle, as connecting it to another electric vehicle or using your electric vehicle to jump-start a diesel or petrol car could damage the battery.
To prevent your electric vehicle from running out of battery, you should keep it as charged as possible by charging it overnight or when it is left parked for a long time. You can also increase its range by using regenerative braking, which uses the energy from braking to generate power to recharge the battery. Additionally, you should be aware of your vehicle's range and plan your trips accordingly, locating charging stations along your route.
