What to do if your EV battery is out of order?
Holidays are often synonymous with long car journeys, and for electric vehicle (EV) drivers, the fear of battery failure can spoil thefun. But don’t panic! With good preparation and a few tips, you can avoid this stress. Here’s all the information you need on how to plan your journeys, maintain your battery and react effectively in the event of a breakdown. Stay calm and enjoy your EV trips! 🚗🔋
What are the common causes and problems of EV breakdowns?
Electric vehicles can experience a variety of problems, but the most common are related to the battery. Here are the main causes of breakdowns:
Battery failure:
The battery is the core element of an EV. Failure can occur due to normal wear and tear, a manufacturing defect or poor charge management. According to a study conducted by Recurrent on 20,000 vehicles, only 2.5% of electric vehicles required a battery replacement, which shows that failure is rare but possible.
Running out of power:
This occurs when the battery is completely discharged. The EV’s systems usually warn the driver well before this happens. However, if these warnings are ignored, the EV will inevitably break down. It is vital to regularly monitor the charge level and plan charging accordingly.
Other possible failures:
Electric vehicles can also suffer from problems related to the electrical, lighting, braking or steering systems, although these cases are less frequent. These malfunctions, whether electrical or related to braking, can also cause an electric car to break down.
How can I prevent battery failure?
To avoid breakdowns, it is essential to adopt certain good practices:
1. Knowing how your EV works:
Clearly this is a simple recommendation, but bear in mind that ignorance still leads to breakdowns today! Knowing how your vehicle works can help you avoid certain breakdown situations. So consult your vehicle’s user guide before setting off.
2. Route planning:
With the Chargemap app, you can easily locate the charging stations that are available along your route. Planning stops means there are no unpleasant surprises and you’ll never run out of battery power on the way 🔋. You can view available charging points, check their availability in real time by consulting user reviews and comments, and plan regular stops to charge your vehicle before the battery reaches a critical level.
By planning ahead, you can save money at the same time and benefit from promotional offers on Chargemap’s partner networks! By the way, find out how to avoid queues at charging stations this summer.
3. Vigilance and alerts:
As mentioned above, EVs are fitted with sensors that monitor battery charge levels in real time. If the EV battery level becomes too low, visual and audible alerts warn the driver of the imminent risk of EV battery failure. Paying attention to these warnings is essential to avoid running out of power on the road. Although it’s a quality we value, don’t be too optimistic about your car’s battery 😉. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
4. Battery maintenance:
Adopt practices that will extend the life of your car and of its battery! Avoid charging below 20% and above 80% whenever possible. Use rapid charging sparingly, as it can accelerate battery wear. Make sure your EV battery is properly maintained to avoid having to replace it!
5. Eco-driving:
Adopt a smooth, anticipatory driving style. Avoid sudden acceleration and braking. Maintain a constant speed and use the regenerative brake to recover energy when decelerating. Activate the “eco” mode to optimise your vehicle’s energy consumption 🍃. Discover all our eco-driving tips for electric cars.
What should you do if your electric car breaks down?
If, despite taking every precaution, you find yourself stranded, here are the reflexes to adopt:
- Stay calm and stay safe:
Switch on the hazard lights and move to a safe place. If you are on the motorway, head for the hard shoulder and get out of the vehicle on the right-hand side. Wear a safety waistcoat and place passengers behind the crash barrier.
- Use the emergency cable:
Before calling a breakdown mechanic, if your geographical location is suitable, you can use the 110V cable usually found in electric cars! You can then charge using a mains socket in a shop or at a private home. Although charging from a mains socket only gives you around 10km of range per hour of charging, it may be enough to get you to a faster charging point or back home. Please note that this should be the exception rather than the rule. It is generally not recommended to use an ordinary socket to charge your EV.
- Call a breakdown service:
Contact an approved electric car breakdown service 📞. Only these professionals are authorised to work on broken-down EVs, particularly on motorways. With the right equipment, they will be able to tow your vehicle to a charging point or to your home for any potential repairs.
If your contract includes breakdown assistance, you can also contact your insurance company. What’s more, for better risk prevention and cover, make sure you choose the right insurance for your electric car! 🚗🛡️
EV battery failure can be avoided with good planning and proper maintenance practices. In the event of a breakdown, it’s essential to stay calm, stay safe and contact the appropriate services.
With the Chargemap app and its services, you can plan your journeys with peace of mind and avoid unpleasant surprises. Make the most of your electric car with complete peace of mind! 😌
Download the Chargemap application free of charge.
