Some are reluctant to make the switch to electric vehicles because of these false beliefs. One of the biggest myths is that EVs don’t work as well in hot weather—it’s time to debunk that myth and explore how hot weather affects your EV.
Active Cooling vs. Passive Cooling System in EVs
In order for EV battery packs to perform at their optimal level, they should be kept at a certain temperature. The idea of EV batteries roasting in 90-degree weather is a horrifying thought for many potential buyers. There is truth in this, although it’s not entirely accurate.
In the early days, many EV models didn’t use active thermal management for the batteries. Passive cooling technology was more common. This was done by diverting incoming air over and under the battery pack to keep it from overheating. The technique didn’t work out so well, as battery packs overheated and began to fail.
A lawsuit filed by Leaf owners in Arizona and California in 2012 alleged Nissan failed to accurately portray the Leaf’s real-world range in its advertising. This was due to the premature aging of its battery packs due to hot climates and passive cooling methods.
As EV technology has improved, many brands have switched to active cooling technology. As a result, the battery doesn’t age prematurely due to overheating, whether the vehicle is parked or on the road. Before rapid charging, some active cooling systems allow the battery pack to heat up, then cool it down afterward, speeding up the charging process.
Using liquid-cooled battery packs keeps batteries cool no matter how hot it gets. It’s important to keep your EV charged, so the mains power source can be used to cool the battery as intended. Learning valuable tips for taking care of your EV’s battery will save you money down the road.
What Is the Battery Thermal Management System (BTMS)?
The normal operation of an EV battery will naturally produce heat. This can also be compounded by outside temperatures. To maintain the battery’s optimal temperature, the BTMS is required. The optimal performance temperature is between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius.
Without the BTMS, battery performance will degrade at 30 degrees Celsius. The most common effects are reduced range and acceleration. At 40 degrees Celsius, the battery can suffer serious and irreversible damage. At higher temperatures of over 80 degrees Celsius, thermal runaway can occur, in which your battery can catch fire.
When you consider how much it costs to replace a Tesla battery, it is clear why proper battery temperatures must be maintained.
The benefits of BTMS are:
Cooling the battery pack in hot weather to prevent thermal runaway and battery degradation Heating the battery pack if the temperature drops too low Battery insulation from outside temperatures prevents rapid temperature changes within the battery pack. Ventilating the battery pack of harmful gasses produced by normal operation
Common technologies for thermal battery management systems include:
Air cooling Liquid cooling and/or directional cooling Phase change material Thermal-electric module Heat pipe module
The battery thermal management system is used to improve safety, performance, and battery life. When your EV is plugged in, the thermal management system activates and begins to regulate the temperature of the battery pack.
Is Rapid Charging Your EV Dangerous in Hot Weather?
Based on batteries in earlier EVs, there is also the belief that rapid charging your EV in hot weather may damage its battery pack. Without the necessary active cooling technology, the battery would heat up with no way to properly cool itself. Thus, shortening the life of the battery pack.
EVs today, apart from the second-generation Nissan Leaf, are not affected by this issue due to liquid cooled battery packs and active thermal management. Keeping your EV cooling system in good condition will ensure your battery pack stays healthy.
Does AC Impact EV Range in Hot Weather?
In an EV, everything you use is powered by the battery pack. So it’s no surprise that the more power you use will impact the range of the EV, as the power has to come from somewhere. The fact is that the energy used to power your AC, heater, or radio is minuscule compared to propelling your vehicle. So, the loss in range will be very small.
This is not exclusive to EVs, as internal combustion engine cars (ICEs) will also experience a small decrease in range, as the AC is powered by the gasoline engine. When EVs had shorter ranges in the past, this was an issue. Now that EV ranges are dramatically higher, the loss in range caused by the AC is hardly noticed. A helpful tip is to use a precondition cycle while plugged into the mains to pre-cool the cabin before your trip, so the AC will have less work to do, saving you energy.
Will Your EV Overheat in Hot Weather?
Sitting in traffic on a hot sunny day in an internal combustion car is not the best way to spend your time. Having your car overheat ruins the whole day. Many people think EVs overheat more than (ICE) cars but is this actually true?
An EV sitting in traffic on a hot sunny day will not make the vehicle overheat.
There have been a few occasions where EVs caught fire while on the road. When investigated further, these instances did not involve the temperature outside alone. Many incidents involved the EV’s battery pack being punctured, in addition to a hot day. One such case involved a Tesla that was involved in a crash that punctured its battery pack. A few weeks later, the vehicle caught fire on a hot day while sitting in a junkyard.
EVs Are Capable in Any Temperature With Proper Care
As we can see, there are many myths about EVs underperforming in hot weather. While it’s true that EV battery packs will experience heat, the heat produced is effectively managed by the vehicle’s battery thermal management system. With the proper battery management system in place, your EV will be able to regulate its own temperature and keep the battery pack from degrading.
