What is the most effective method to store an electric vehicle for several weeks or months?
Electric vehicles excel at routine daily commutes. However, there might be times when work or a grand expedition takes you far from home. In such cases, you'll need to store your EV for a prolonged duration.
Keeping various types of vehicles is far from ideal since they are meant to be driven regularly. Prolonged non-use can lead to problems. In the case of electric vehicles (EVs), storage might present fewer challenges compared to traditional cars because EVs have fewer moving parts that could malfunction or necessitate greasing. Nonetheless, stowing away an EV still requires careful maintenance to avoid irreparably harming a sizable, expensive, high-voltage battery.
What's the optimal method for storing an electric vehicle for several weeks or months? Here are some crucial steps you should follow.
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Ensure the battery is fully charged—not overly so though.
You wish to depart with your electric vehicle (EV) having a substantial state of charge. Over extended durations, there can be some discharge due to factors like ongoing operations and the car’s 12-volt battery. It's important to have sufficient range available so that the EV remains practical upon your return. Similar to standard EV charging It's advisable to prevent the vehicle from staying for extended periods at extreme charge levels (over 80 percent or under 10 percent), as this can harm the battery.
Storage recommendations vary among electric vehicle manufacturers (refer to your owner’s manual). Many advise keeping the battery charged at approximately 50%. Others prefer leaving the car connected to a charger. By staying plugged in, an EV can regulate temperature and recharge automatically when necessary. Conversely, some brands recommend unplugging the vehicle from the charger and even disconnecting the 12V battery or storing it on a trickle charger. a trickle charger just as you would with a conventional gasoline car.
A key method for extending battery life is to shut down as many running tasks happening behind the scenes as you can. Tesla’s Sentry Mode is a noted resource hog that can drain EV batteries. However, smaller ticket items like software updates or even checking the vehicle status remotely can do so, especially if they need to wake the vehicle from a low-power sleep mode.
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Shift or lift the weight from the tires.
Remaining motionless can be detrimental to any car's tires. This stillness increases the likelihood of flat spots forming, which occur when sections of the tire flatten due to continuous pressure from weight. Electric vehicles might be especially susceptible to this issue because they typically have a much higher mass compared to similar gasoline-powered models. The Kia EV9 For example, it weighs close to three tons and exceeds an all-wheel-drive Kia Telluride by over 1,300 pounds.
Shifting the vehicle occasionally might be the most effective way to assist the tires. Nonetheless, this approach works well only when you're around. An alternative solution, provided it's possible, would involve elevating the car with jacks to reduce pressure on the tires. Additionally, inflating the tires to their highest recommended PSI as stated in your owner’s manual can also prove beneficial.
Find a protected location
Similar to a gasoline vehicle, it’s preferable to keep your electric vehicle (EV) in a secure location. An ideal choice would be a fully enclosed garage, which shields the EV from extreme temperatures and moisture. Alternatively, a covered parking structure or a carport could serve as suitable options for protection.
If the sole choice is to park outdoors, aim to steer clear of direct sunlight or areas prone to damage. Think about obtaining a weatherproof car cover for added protection.
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