5 Things to Remember When Driving an EV This Summer

Posted on August 11, 2022 Updated on August 11, 2022

Planning a fun road trip in your EV this summer? Then you’re going to want to read this! As an electric vehicle owner, you’re most likely calculating your battery’s range and planning the trip accordingly, so we put together some tips to help you out.

While battery technology in EVs has made substantial progress in recent years, they aren’t without their shortcomings. One of the most glaring weaknesses is the reduced driving range electric vehicle owners experience in extreme temperatures. Although the hot summer weather may work to reduce your battery’s range, we’ve put together a list of tips that can help you get the most out of your battery. 

Before you head out on your summer journey, give this list of tips for summer EV driving a quick read — it’s sure to help! 

Driving Range

While driving an electric vehicle in the summer, one of the most important things to remember is the difference in driving range. According to AAA, the driving range of an EV battery can be reduced by up to 17% in temperatures above 95º, which is a significant reduction in range. Due to this reduction in range, you should be paying close attention to your EV’s charge level during the summers to avoid any problems. 

If you’re looking for a way to keep your range where it needs to be during the summer, a good way to do so is to use less air conditioning. Opting to drive with the windows down can reduce the load on your EV’s batteries which will help you get the range you’re accustomed to. It may seem crazy to opt out of using A/C in the summer, but when you’re spending less time at the charging station it all begins to make sense. 

Find Some Shade

Keeping the interior of your car is always important in the summers, but when you own an EV its even more important. When you keep your EV cool, the batteries are able to function at peak capacity, providing the best range your car has to offer. 

However, if you’re parked in the middle of an open field on a sweltering hot day, chances are you’re directly reducing the amount of range your car’s batteries have. This is why we recommend always parking in shaded areas when possible. When you can’t park in a shaded area, the best thing you could do is use a windshield shade to keep the interior of your EV nice and cool. 

Whichever way you decide to keep your car cool, doing so is the best way to get the full range from your EV battery.

Try Not to Fast Charge

One of the most convenient ways to charge your electric vehicle is via rapid charging, however, this is also a great way to reduce the lifespan of its batteries. That is why we recommend skipping the fast charging station on hot summer days. While your EV is made and rated to handle fast charging, doing so as your sole means of charging is not the best way to elongate the life of your EV batteries.

When you do opt to fast charge, try to do it sparingly, and preferably in a climate-controlled space. If you own a house with a garage, charging your EV in that enclosed space is a great way to get a full charge in a reasonable amount of time. Since your battery won’t have to fight against the elements, charging your battery in a garage or climate-controlled space reduced charging time rapidly.

Precondition Your Cabin

As we mentioned before, keeping your EV cool is one of the best ways to ensure you get the most range out of its battery. A great way to do it is by preconditioning your interior, which on most EVs is done by remote starting your vehicle. With preconditioning, you can run the air conditioning before you ever set foot in the vehicle, which not only makes it comfortable for you but also increases battery range. 

Most electric vehicles these days have a preconditioning or remote start feature, which makes life far easier during the summer. If you don’t have a preconditioning or remote start mode on your EV, you may be able to have an aftermarket remote starter installed which can function similarly to a built-in preconditioning mode.

Travel Light

A piece of advice that can be used year-round, traveling light is a fantastic way to get the most out of your EV battery. The more weight you have in your car, the harder its batteries have to work to get you going — effectively reducing the overall range. If you’re planning to hit the roads for a long trip this summer, make sure you’re traveling light in order to get the most out of your battery’s range. 

In the event that you can’t travel with minimal gear, we recommend having a pre-planned charging strategy so you’re never stranded. 

Visit Waldorf Chevrolet Today

Now that you’re an expert on driving an EV during the summer, it’s time for you to get out there and enjoy it! If you don’t have an EV to enjoy your summer in, that’s okay! At Waldorf Chevrolet, we have a huge selection of new and used electric vehicles for you to choose from. If you’re not ready to make the jump to an EV, we have plenty of traditional cars, trucks and SUVs to choose from here at Waldorf Chevrolet.

Don’t want to overpay for your next electric vehicle, then you need to visit us at 2298 Crain Highway today! Whether you’re looking for a great deal or great service, at Waldorf Chevrolet you’re sure to find it.