Tips to maximise electric vehicle performance in summer

Given the soaring summer temperatures and the increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in the region, EV owners and operators must provide careful attention and maintenance to their vehicles to minimise and prevent various risks since hot weather can significantly damage EVs by lowering their range and battery health.

Extreme heat affects EV performance in several ways mostly impacting the battery. EV batteries produce energy through chemical reactions, which occur more quickly and with lower efficiency if they operate in hotter conditions. This can degrade the battery capacity and quicken its natural ageing process, hence reducing the overall driving range with each charge.

Higher temperatures also cause more rolling friction between the tires and the road, thereby increasing the energy needed to travel at a constant speed.

Moreover, extreme temperatures increase the chance of air conditioning being used to a greater extent, ultimately draining the battery’s charge faster.

During the peak summer months, it is recommended to charge the vehicle overnight rather than during the day. This can avoid placing excessive stress on the battery that can result in performance drops, driven largely by diminishing range as well as impact on the battery’s longevity itself.

Similarly, parking the EV in a shaded area and abstaining from direct exposure to sun is also an approach to optimise range efficiency.

Another key factor to consider is the impact of heat on EV chargers and their performance as this eventually impacts EV performance. From the charging infrastructure perspective, the argument of shade in a parking that covers both the charger and the EV holds well.

Public charging stations that are sheltered and serviced are better protected and result in the performance of the electronic components within the charger remaining uncompromised.

A charging session in this set up also helps maintain the ambient temperature so the charger and the EV perform optimally when outside temperatures exceed 45 degrees. The shade can also serve as a solar panel roof, delivering power either to the chargers themselves or other amenities such as street lighting, gate barriers etc.

Moreover, adhoc servicing and planned preventive maintenance are essential in ensuring continued efficiency and safety of electric vehicle chargers. Service level agreements to routinely service the charger is integral to protect the EV charging infrastructure particularly for fleet operators and charge point operators whose business operations have a high dependency on the uptime of the charging networks.

During hot and dusty weather conditions, routine maintenance ensures that all filters are clean and replaced as and when required. Clogged filters prevent power modules within the charger operating efficiently and therefore negatively impact the charger’s performance.

Preventive maintenance is essential in supporting operations that depend on the uptime of EV chargers such as electric fleets for taxis, mass transit and last-mile delivery companies as well as parking lots in high-rise residential areas and office towers.

EV charger maintenance can optimise electric fleet performance and guarantee higher EV turnover for parking spaces.

Therefore, a maintenance agreement guarantees uptime of fast and ultra-fast chargers and can mitigate unforeseen breakdowns in the system.

During the hottest time of the day, users will see that their electric vehicle is charging slower than expected. Depending on the charger manufacturer, this may occur due to the output power from the charger de-rating and causing the charger to perform at 75 per cent or even 50 per cent capacity. This is particularly relevant in conditions where the chargers are directly exposed to the heat from the sun.

These days, the battery management systems in EVs are also better equipped to deal with extreme environmental conditions. In cases of overheating, the charging speed reduces, and the EV’s battery cooling system kicks in as a safety mechanism to protect the EV. It may even limit or cut off the power supply during a charging session.

Finally, here are some tips to enable optimal EV performance in hot temperatures:

1. During summer months, try as much to charge during evenings, overnight or earlier in the day to avoid direct exposure to sunlight
2. When using a public charger during the day in summer, choose one that is fitted with a shade.
3. Pre-cool your EV when charging to maintain a cool ambient temperature inside the cabin before you begin your journey.
4. For operators that wish to install charging stations, a shelter or shaded roof over outdoor charging stations is highly recommended
5. It is strongly recommended that operators realise the significance of maintaining a service level agreement with an authorised service provider of the EV charging equipment who is acknowledged by the charger manufacturer. This is imperative as it avoids critical breakdowns and gradual deterioration in charger performance during situations such as extreme temperatures.

A quarterly frequency for the routine maintenance of outdoor fast and ultra-fast chargers is recommended. For indoor fast and ultra-fast chargers, a half-year full-service maintenance is recommended.

Arthi Srinivasan is the director of EV Solutions at Powertech Mobility

Also read: Abu Dhabi to take 7% stake in Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio