How to Save the Battery of Your EV from Excessive Heat?
How to Save the Battery of Your EV from Excessive Heat?
![Save EV Battery from Excessive Heat Save EV Battery from Excessive Heat](/images/default-source/two-wheeler-insurance-page-images/save-ev-battery-from-excessive-heat.jpg)
With the rising popularity of electric vehicles in India, a lot of people are seriously considering making a switch to EVs. If you have already made the switch and are now the proud owner of an electric car or two-wheeler, you need to take the best care of your vehicle. The battery of an EV is the most crucial component as it powers the entire vehicle. Taking care of the battery during all seasons, particularly, in the harsh Indian summers, is very important. Just like you buy car insurance or a bike insurance plan to protect the vehicle, you also need to undertake some measures to protect the vehicle's battery. Read on to know what these steps are and how they can safeguard the battery pack of your EV in hot weather conditions.
The connection between the battery and heat
In general, extreme heat is bad for all batteries. These include the battery of your laptop and the battery of your EV. When the temperatures rise, the batteries begin to expand. This leads to leakage, distortion and an overall drop in the performance. Also, the life of the battery shrinks. An EV battery, when used at a temperature of about 25 degrees Celsius, lasts about 10 years. The same battery, when used at about 33 degrees Celsius, would die out in about five years. This is why you should take the best precautions and ensure the battery pack of the RV doesn't heat up a lot.
India is a warm country and for more than half the year, the weather is hot in most of the major towns and cities. You cannot really control the external conditions, but there are some effective measures you can undertake to protect the battery of your EV from excessive heat.
Top 7 tips to keep the battery of your Electric Vehicle cool in summers:
1. Use a coolant:
There are certain types of cooling liquids that help the battery to stay cool even when the temperatures outside are sweltering. Many international auto manufacturers such as Ford and Tesla use liquid coolants in their EV batteries effectively. However, this is not very commonly seen in India, but it can work as a great way to keep control of the temperature inside the EV battery.
2. Do not overcharge the battery:
Never make the mistake of leaving the charger on for long periods of time. You will surely have an idea of how long your vehicle’s battery needs to be charged. Stick to the time frame. It is highly advisable for you to charge the battery only up to about 80%. Do not charge it up to 100% every single time as that makes the battery very hot. The more you charge, the greater the buildup of heat which consequently alters the life and performance of the EV battery. Charge up to 100% on rare occasions when you wish to go on a long journey.
3. Do not drain out the battery:
This is another practice that reduces the life of the battery due to excessive heating. You should always keep an eye on the battery charge. If it is closing in on 20%, put it on charge right away. When you drive a vehicle with a battery that’s about to die, a lot of heat gets generated. This is because the voltage falls as the battery discharges and there is a lot of strain on the battery to function. This added load creates excessive heat and the battery of your EV suffers to a great extent. So, the moment you notice the charge is dwindling, attach it to the charger and allow it to charge up to 80%.
4. Park the vehicle in the shade:
This is common knowledge yet many people choose to ignore it! When you park your car or bike in a very sunny place, it heats up the vehicle tremendously. Not just the vehicle, but the parts inside it, including the battery, starts to get warmer. And as you know, with added heat the battery begins to expand. To avoid this, always park your car or bike in the shade. Invest in a closed parking space if needed, but do this to keep the battery pack of your EV protected.
5. Charge during nighttime:
It is a good idea for you to charge the battery of your EV during the night. The temperature is usually lower during the nighttime and so the natural heating is lowered. This is a good way in which you can prevent the heat buildup in the battery while it is being charged.
6. Allow the battery to cool before charging:
This is another handy tip for you to keep the battery of your EV protected against heat. Allow the engine to cool down before you put the battery on charge. If the car or bike has recently been used, the battery will be very warm. Charging it in this state will only add to the warm temperature. So, allow it to cool down before you connect the charger.
7. Lower the consumption of power:
Lower the pressure you put on the engine as a lot of pressure will make the battery hotter. Drive at a steady pace, and do not press the drake too frequently. This will surely allow you to maintain the flow of heat energy in the battery of your electric vehicle. Also, this is good for the vehicle too. Follow this tip and you will have to make fewer claims on your car or bike insurance plan.
Conclusion
The EV you own, whether it is a two-wheeler or a four-wheeler, is a prized possession and you must do everything to keep it safe, study and run for a long time. Apart from getting the best car or bike insurance plan, you should also make every effort to protect the components of the vehicle. Since the battery is crucial, keep it protected by following the points mentioned above. Once you do so, not only will the battery last longer, but it will also power your car or bike in a better way which will lead to your vehicle moving more smoothly.
Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.
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