Heat and e-cars: How does it affect charging?
Summer is already in the starting blocks and the rising temperatures raise the question of how the heat affects an electric car. Long journeys at often higher speeds and summer temperatures can make the batteries glow, but not only that. To help you plan your next trips, we've delved into the topic and give you our tips on how to ride and recharge in the summer.
The effects of heat on the battery of an electric car
Overheating of the battery
As already mentioned when we discussed the Effects of cold on the range of an electric vehicle , a lithium-ion battery does not like extreme temperatures. It usually works best between 20 and 25°C.
In the summertime, long journeys at high speed increase the risk of the battery overheating. Above 45-50°C, the battery's electronics deteriorate more quickly, and there is a general decrease in charging power. Of course, the temperature range varies depending on the model of the electric vehicle. Depending on the quality of your battery, this phenomenon will be more or less pronounced.
Further information can be found in our Tips for maintaining satisfactory battery performance over time.
Effects on charging performance
The closer the battery gets to its overheating point, the slower the charging speed becomes. This is because the battery monitoring system (BMS) adjusts the received charging power to the temperature of the battery. To avoid overheating, the charging power and the charging time more or less influenced.
In more extreme cases, the charging process can even be interrupted for safety reasons until the battery has cooled down.
Battery cooling system
So far so good: Depending on which cooling system your electric car is equipped with, your battery will be affected by the heat to a greater or lesser extent. Today, many electric vehicle models have efficient cooling systems via a liquid circuit. This is the case for Tesla, Kia, and Hyundai, to name a few.
However, some vehicles regulate the temperature of the battery with forced ventilation, which is less efficient. So remember to check which system your electric vehicle uses to adjust your journeys accordingly.
Are charging stations affected by heat?
Yes, heat also affects the electronic components of charging stations. Public charging infrastructures usually function optimally up to a temperature of 50°C. And here, too, we are talking about the most efficient stations.
In the most extreme cases with temperatures above 45°C, some charging stations can trigger a safety measure to prevent overheating. The charging process can either be reduced or temporarily interrupted.
The core of the problem is that the public charging infrastructure is not sufficiently protected. Nowadays, most outdoor charging stations have neither a roof nor protection from extreme temperatures. There are some exceptions such as the Fastned charging network charging stations, which were built with a roof made of solar panels. These are beginning to establish themselves in France.
Therefore, just like your EV, a charging station that is under heat will likely throttle the power it delivers.
What about air conditioning consumption?
Just as with vehicles with combustion engines, the use of air conditioning reduces the range – especially in extreme temperatures. However, this is a phenomenon that must be viewed in a differentiated way. In contrast to heating in winter, air conditioning consumes very little energy (approx. 20-30 km range is lost during a journey of several hours).
As with the cooling circuit, this depends on the system used for air conditioning. The impact is lower for electric vehicles equipped with a heat pump with reversible air conditioning. By the way, this system is being used more and more often, as it consumes much less energy. This means that you can ride in comfortable conditions in both summer and winter without having to worry about a dead battery.
If your electric car has a heat pump, the consumption of the air conditioning system will therefore be quite manageable.
E-car in the heat: Our tips for avoiding charging stress
First of all, we should remember the first most important step for a successful e-journey: planning. To start in the best conditions, you should remember Your route using the Chargemap route planner .
Prefer covered charging stations / in underground garages
As mentioned earlier, charging stations are also sensitive to heat. It is therefore better to head for charging stations that are covered or located in an underground car park. The information provided by the Chargemap community on the Mobile app can help you make your choice of charging stations.
This charging break in the shade is also beneficial for your vehicle, as it allows it to cool down more efficiently. And even without charging, parking in the shade or under a roof whenever you can prevents wear and tear on the car itself.
If you are thinking about installing a charging station at home, you should keep this in mind when choosing the location (in your garage or well protected if outdoors).
Charge early in the morning or at night
For this reason, it makes sense to plan your trip so that you charge as early in the morning or at night as possible. Especially during hot spells, you benefit from temperatures that are more bearable for you, your electric vehicle and the charging station. A successful trio!
Pre-conditioning of the vehicle interior
To hit the road in optimal conditions, you can pre-condition the interior of your vehicle when it is connected to the power supply. In this way, the air conditioner draws the energy from the grid and not from the battery. So they set off at an ideal room temperature and require much less energy to maintain it. An ideal solution to optimize the performance of your battery on a long journey.
For most electric cars, the temperature and pre-conditioning start time can be programmed either via the dashboard or remotely via a manufacturer's own app.
Foot off the gas
If you read our articles frequently, you know that this advice comes up very often. But it's always good to be reminded of that. A smooth rather than nervous/sporty riding style is beneficial in all circumstances, but more than ever during extreme temperatures. Discover the small rules of conduct that you can apply while driving to save the battery of your electric car. The sum of the small habits can make 😉 a big difference in the end
We hope that this article has been informative and allows you to travel with peace of mind with an electric car even in the heat. Please share your experiences and tips on this topic with us in a comment. All that remains for us to do is to wish ☀️ you a good journey and good charging processes in view of the approaching summer