Charging experts have told InsideEVs that summer is still far worse for charging than winter. This week, a dangerous heat wave looms for 135 million people across the Midwest, Northeast, and parts of Canada. Temperatures are forecast to reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas.
Just like coolant and radiators prevent internal combustion engines from overheating, EVs also have temperature regulation systems. In an EV though, protecting the sensitive lithium-ion battery is the big task. If things go south, the consequences can range from anywhere between a few damaged cells to the entire pack catching fire.
According to battery health and data start-up Recurrent, excessive heat accelerates the rate of chemical reactions inside a battery. These reactions drain active lithium, which produces energy and prevents ions from moving around the battery. Moreover, record temperatures and increasingly erratic weather patterns warrant extra caution.
Modern battery management systems (BMS) keep the cells within an optimal operating temperature using liquid or air cooling (or both). On most occasions, you don't even have to bother. Battery preconditioning is automatic on many new EVs, triggering when setting navigation to nearby charging stations.
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