As summer temperatures soar above 40°C in many regions, electric vehicle (EV) owners may wonder: How does this heat impact my car's charging and performance? The answer is significant—extreme temperatures can affect both your EV's range and battery health. But with the right strategies, you can minimize these effects. Here's what happens to your EV in hot weather and how to keep it running optimally.

How Heat Impacts Your EV

1. Reduced Driving Range

High temperatures force your EV's battery cooling system to work harder, consuming additional energy. This means:

• ● Fewer miles per charge – The energy used for thermal management reduces available power for driving.

• ● Extra drain from cabin cooling – Running the AC further decreases range.

2. Battery Degradation Risk

Lithium-ion batteries are sensitive to excessive heat, which can:

• ● Alter battery chemistry, leading to permanent capacity loss.

• ● Accelerate aging, reducing the battery’s ability to hold a full charge over time.

To combat these issues, let’s break down the best practices into two key areas: maximizing range and protecting battery health.

How to Maximize Your EV’s Range in Summer

1. Use Eco Mode

Most EVs feature an Eco Mode, which:

• ● Optimizes energy use by limiting power to non-essential systems (like aggressive acceleration).

• ● Reduces AC strain, helping preserve range.

2. Precondition While Plugged In

Preconditioning isn’t just for winter—it’s equally useful in summer:

• ● Pre-cool the cabin while still connected to a charger (via your EV app).

• ● Avoids battery drain since the car uses grid power instead of battery energy.

• ● Tesla, Hyundai, and others offer this feature—check your vehicle’s settings.

3. Travel Light

Extra weight = more energy consumption.

• ● Remove unnecessary cargo to improve efficiency.

How to Protect Your EV’s Battery in Extreme Heat

1. Park in the Shade (or a Garage)

Direct sunlight heats the battery unnecessarily. Parking in shade:

• ● Reduces thermal stress.

• ● Helps maintain range by minimizing cooling system workload.

2. Limit Charging to 80%

Lithium-ion batteries degrade faster when kept at full charge in high heat.

• ● Ideal charge level: 20%–80% for daily use.

• ● Exceptions: For long trips, charge to 100% just before departure.

Final Tip: Monitor Battery Temperature

Many EVs display real-time battery temp. If it’s excessively hot:

• ● Avoid fast charging until it cools.

• ● Drive gently to reduce heat buildup.

By following these steps, you can extend your EV’s range, preserve battery life, and enjoy a smoother summer driving experience—even in scorching heat.