3 Tips to care for your electric car during the Coronavirus lockdown

The COVID-19 breakout and lockdown have changed the way we conduct our lives. One of the effects is that we are forced to leave our vehicles parked for days at a stretch as we can hardly leave our homes. Here are some tips from carmakers like Hyundai and Tata Motors to make sure your EV’s battery doesn’t discharge.

Remove the negative terminal of the Aux battery when the EV is not in use.

It is essential that you remove the negative terminal of the auxiliary battery if your EV is standing idle during the lockdown. Follow these care tips to keep your #NexonEV – The Electric SUV powered by #Ziptron in perfect running condition. #StayHomeStaySafe #Covid19 pic.twitter.com/c1ESFHWo42

— Tata Motors Electric Mobility (@TatamotorsEV) April 11, 2020

Keep the battery charged between 30 per cent & 50 per cent.

Make sure to keep your vehicle’s battery charged between 30%-50% when your #NexonEV – The Electric SUV powered by #Ziptron is not in use during the lockdown!
Follow these tips and take care of your electric vehicle while you #StayHomeStaySafe#Covid19 #FlattenTheCurve pic.twitter.com/sDsIRqo19H

— Tata Motors Electric Mobility (@TatamotorsEV) April 9, 2020

Switch on the EV and keep it running for 10 minutes every 3 to 4 days.

Look out for your #NexonEV – The Electric SUV powered by #Ziptron, when it’s not going to be driven for a long time by turning on your car for 10 minutes every 3-4 days to ensure your battery doesn’t discharge. Take care of it by following these during the lockdown.#StayHome pic.twitter.com/B7NsZYyOJR

— Tata Motors Electric Mobility (@TatamotorsEV) April 15, 2020

Tips to take care of your EV’s battery when the lockdown is lifted:

• Don’t always charge to the maximum. It is better to charge the batteries of your EVs to around 80 per cent as it allows space for regenerative braking, which is standard now in most EVs.
• Always maintain speed and don’t use sudden acceleration for a longer period of time. Pushing your EVs to their maximum speed will deplete the battery faster than anything.
• With range anxiety being the biggest concern when it comes to owing an EV, it serves you better to plan your routes before leaving. It will also prove beneficial to know the locations of charging stations along the route.
• Using a quick charger may seem to be a great way to charger your electric vehicle, but do remember to avoid it whenever possible. Fast charging depletes the life of the battery faster than it would with regular charging. In long term, this will help the battery survive longer.
• Same is the case with complete discharging. Letting the battery getting discharged completely before recharging can affect its overall life. Hyundai recommends not to let the charge dip below 20 per cent.
• Timing your charge will also ensure a healthy range. Shutting off the charging one or two hours before you commence your journey lets the battery to cool down and is not hot for the drive.
• Like other vehicles, parking your EVs under shade away from the hot sun helps in keeping the cabin cooler and avoids wasting energy in pre-cooling. It also stops the thermal management system from running the whole time and the car’s battery from overheating.