Summer holidays are prime road-trip season, but high temperatures change how an EV behaves. With a little planning, the heat won't spoil the trip.
How heat affects your EV
- Air conditioning uses energy and reduces range, especially in stop-start traffic.
- Battery cooling also uses energy to keep the battery in a safe range.
- Charging speed may be lower after a long, hot drive while the car cools the battery. See the charging curve.
Before you leave
- Pre-cool the cabin while the car is still plugged in, so you start cool without using battery charge.
- Charge to a higher level than usual for long highway legs.
- Check tyre pressure; heat and heavy loads both affect it.
- Plan charging stops at shaded or covered stations with places to wait, such as restaurants and malls.
On the road
- Moderate speeds save more range than cutting the air conditioning.
- Use recirculation mode, which cools the cabin more efficiently.
- Stop at 15–20% and charge to around 80% for quicker stops.
- Stay hydrated and take breaks during charging.
Parking and charging in the heat
- Park in shade where possible, especially for long stops.
- Avoid leaving the car at 100% in direct sun for long periods.
- Charging in hot weather is safe; the car and charger manage temperatures automatically. See charging in monsoon and heat.
Use the EVee Buddy app to plan stops, and see our weekend getaway ideas.