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- Drivers advised to look after their battery and make the most of their car’s cool gadgets on what is set to be the hottest weekend of the year
- As a red extreme weather warning is issued, clever electric cars can chill the interior before you set off, and could power a fridge or keep a bouncy castle inflated
- Comes as research shows 56% of drivers looking to switch to electric in the next 12 months
With the heatwave set to continue into next week, the experts at Electrifying.com are advising on the best ways to make the most of an electric car in hot weather - and to make sure your battery doesn’t suffer in the summer heat.
As more electric cars than ever are being driven on UK roads and our own research showing that over half of people surveyed are looking to buy an electric car in the next 12 months, we have listed the best ways to make yourself and your car more comfortable.
Looking after the battery, preconditioning the interior and making the most of its gadgets are key to making an electric car more efficient in the summer months. With the arrival of the school holidays, the battery in an electric car could also be used to power a fridge or electric stove on a camping trip, or a bouncy castle at a summer fete.
If the predicted power cuts do occur, these systems could also mean energy stored in the car’s battery could be used to power essential household appliances such as a fridge freezer.
For those who are leaving their car at home while they travel, it’s also important for electric owners to avoid battery damage if the vehicle is being left unused while owners are away on holiday, by leaving between 20 and 80% charge in the cells.
Founder and CEO of Electrifying.com Ginny Buckley said:
“With heatwaves like the one we’re experiencing set to become commonplace in the UK each summer, and with more people wanting to make the switch, it’s important for drivers to be clued up on how they can make the most of their electric car in the hot weather.
“We know how uncomfortable driving can be in this heat, especially when you first set off - this is where electric cars stand out from the crowd, as they can be preconditioned to reach your optimum temperature before you even step foot inside.
“And with many of us setting off on staycations and making the most of the outdoors during the school holidays, many drivers may not be aware that some electric cars can also be used to power up electrical appliances when you’re out and about - from a portable fridge to a bouncy castle at a party. Keeping your cool in an electric car has never been easier.”
Electrifying.com’s top tips to beat the heat
1. Use the gadgets
Electric cars have some great gadgets to help you get through the summer even when you are not driving. For example Tesla’s ‘Dog Mode’ allows you to keep the air conditioning running while you are away from the car to keep your pets happy.
Tesla’s also have a ‘Camp Mode’ which allows you to run some of the systems overnight if you are sleeping in the car. Other brands, such as Hyundai, Kia and MG also have ‘Vehicle To Load’ systems which let you run mains electrical appliances from the car’s main battery. That could be perfect to keep a fridge on a campsite or even keep the bouncy castle inflated at the local village fete. In extreme circumstances such as a power cute, they can also be used to keep household appliances running.
2. Precondition your interior
Drivers may be familiar with the concept of ‘preheating’ their electric car in the winter months; not only is this more convenient, by heating the car when it's plugged in you can save the energy in your battery for driving rather than heating it. This works the other way round too, and drivers can cool the interior if it’s too hot. The added advantage of this is that most electric cars will also precondition the battery at the same time to ensure it is at the optimum temperature for efficiency.
3. Look after your battery
Battery packs do their best work when they’re not too hot, and not too cold. Extreme heat can damage the battery’s cells, particularly if you’re driving quickly on a motorway and then charging at a rapid charge point. Although most electric cars have conditioning systems which will automatically sense the battery temperature and cool it down, if possible try and reschedule your longer drives to times when it is cooler.
Also bear in mind that batteries don’t like being left in very low or very high states of charge for long periods. So if you’re setting off on a summer-long trip, try to leave somewhere between 20 and 80% on the meter.
4. Be heat smart
The batteries and motors in electric cars are so efficient that they don’t generate a lot of heat, which means it’s easier to keep an electric car cool inside in hot weather. However the aircon still uses power, so make the best use of the energy by setting the interior to a comfortable temperature and then letting the car do the work. If your usual climate control setting is 20c, then leave it there rather than setting it to ‘LO’.
Rolling down the windows will help get the temperature to a more bearable level, but you should raise them as soon as possible to let the aircon work to its fullest ability.
5. Don’t get let down by your tyres
In warm weather the air in your tyres expands and the pressure reading will be higher. This will increase further as the rubber moves and flexes over hot tarmac, and any faults in the tyre will become the weak link in a chain; this is why it’s important to invest in a decent gauge and check the pressures often. Be prepared for a breakdown just in case however, with enough water and a way of sheltering from the sun if you are forced to wait for rescue.
Notes to editors
About Electrifying.com
Drivers are going through the most disruptive period in personal mobility since the horse and cart gave way to the car and Electrifying.com is shaping the mainstream conversation about this transition.
Comprising a team of electric experts, the brand is led by Founder and CEO Ginny Buckley. With 25 years' experience in broadcasting, journalism and the automotive industry, Buckley is here to demystify the electric car and give trusted, independent advice to the mainstream car buyer, enabling them to make the switch with confidence.
She is joined by Nicki Shields, the face of Formula E, host of the CNN tech and electric racing show ‘Supercharged’; tech, gadget and car expert Tomi Adebayo (better known as @gadgetsboy) and Tom Ford, the former host of BBC Top Gear America, Fifth Gear and electric car advocate.
Our team of experts are here as a resource to help drivers understand, choose, buy and run an electric vehicle, all while moving the conversation away from tech-savvy, early adopters to the mainstream.
