Driving an EV in the 44°C Heatwave? Why You Should Avoid Public Fast-Charging Stations During Peak Afternoon Hours
As temperatures rise above 44°C throughout much of India, electric vehicle (EV) owners are being urged to reconsider a well-known practice in summertime: rapid charging their vehicles in the hottest part of the day.
While today’s EVs can withstand hot temperatures, heating an EV battery to over-heating due to DC fast charging in hot weather can create additional heat stress on the battery worn by high-speed charging during hot days.
Why Heat and Fast Charging Create Extra Battery Stress
DC Fast chargers transfer large amounts of energy to the vehicle’s battery within a limited amount of time. Naturally, this creates heat within the battery. In moderate temperatures, the vehicle’s thermal management systems assist in maintaining proper thermal condition.
What Happens to EV Batteries in Extreme Heat?
Most modern battery systems have software and cooling systems that protect batteries from catastrophic failure due to overheat conditions. Many of the battery systems have been stressed by extreme heat and aggressive charging patterns and contributed to the following problems:
- Faster battery degradation
- Reduced charging efficiency
- Temporary charging limitations
- When cooled, increased energy loss
- Long-term battery capacity loss
Which EV Owners Should Be Most Careful?
As such, the following EV owners should be especially careful regarding heat safety during the current heat wave:
- Fleet owners/operators
- Taxi EV users
- Long-distance highway drivers
- Anyone fast-charging EVs daily
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Simple Summer EV Protection Tips
During heat waves, experts advise taking preventative measures to ensure the longevity of an electric vehicle.
The following precautions are recommended:
- Park under cover or in shaded areas more often
- Wait until after an aggressive driving experience before charging
- Charge at night or in the morning versus during the daytime
- Utilise programmed charging options whenever possible
- Make sure to keep all software up to date
- Only completely charge your vehicle to 100% when required during extreme heat
Final Words
While many of the current methods of travelling long distances or getting around urban areas still often necessitate the use of fast charging, experts now believe that using common sense to choose when to charge your electric vehicle could lead to a notable improvement in battery life over time. On a 44C (111F) summer day, patience could possibly provide the best protection that an electric vehicle has for its battery.
FAQs
Can fast charging be harmful in hot weather?
All modern electric vehicles (EVs) are built to be safe under all weather conditions. However, subjecting an electric vehicle to repeated fast charging during excessive heat will cause additional stress on the battery over its life of the battery.
Why should I not charge in the afternoon?
Charging your electric vehicle in the afternoon when the temperature is exceptionally high will place greater stress on your electric vehicle’s battery cooling system due to the combined effect of the high ambient temperature and the heat generated from charging.
Will my electric vehicle battery be permanently damaged from excessive heat?
Frequent and uncontrolled exposure to excessive heat may accelerate long-term battery degradation.
Is it safer to charge slowly in the summer months?
Yes, even when charging at home using standard AC charging equipment, slower charging uses less heat than fast DC charging.
