Electric car and heat: 8 points to watch out for
By following these tips, you and your car will stay safe on the road all summer.
- 10/06/2022
Summer is here along with the heat and humidity. If you have an electric car, these factors can cause you some problems. Research shows that turning on the air conditioning reduces power by 17%, which means that if you are planning a 100 km trip, you may travel less than that if it is hot. The batteries of electric cars empty faster when driving in high temperatures, according to a recent study of 6,000 electric cars. In fact, July was the worst month for incidents related to tires, as the heat affects their pressure-slowing down electric cars, as they are already heavier than gas and diesel cars. But do not worry; if you take the necessary measures and follow the tips below to protect your electric car when it is hot, you will have a great summer.
1. Leave your car in the shade
Heat negatively affects the battery life of electric cars. It reduces the charge of lithium ion batteries, just like it reduces the battery of your mobile phone if you leave it out in the sun for a long time. To cope with the heat, park your car in the shade, if possible. Otherwise buy a shade for the windshield to keep the temperature inside your car low. Also, avoid charging the car quickly at a station without a shelter, as accelerated electric currents combined with the heat can damage the battery in the long run.
2. Charge your electric car up to 80%
For charging there is a percentage you need to keep in mind to avoid overcharging and overheating the battery. Most manufacturers recommend that you do not fully charge the electric car to 100%, otherwise the battery may overheat. In hot weather (and in all weather conditions) you should charge the electric car up to 80%. Occasional full charges, if you are planning a long distance summer trip, are allowed but try not to make it a habit if you want to keep your car battery healthy.
3. Do not forget about proper maintenance
Excessive heat can cause tires to explode and affect the traction of your vehicle. In simple cars it causes your engine to overheat more easily and exerts increased pressure on almost every mechanical operation performed by your car. Pay special attention to tire pressure, which is one of the most important parts that must be properly maintained, as they are the ones that come in contact with the road. If you have an electric car, dedicating time to regularly check tire pressure before long summer trips is even more important because of their extra weight. Also check the brakes and cooling system and make sure the battery is charged as heat exhausts its energy faster.
It is important not to forget your car’s check up! To be safe on the road, you should have an annual preventive check up performed on your vehicle. At Minetta Insurance this check is free for all vehicles and / or property policies (* Does not apply to the Home Pack Apartment plan). Minetta Insurance also works with authorized / specialized car repair shops all over Greece, in order to repair material damage without bureaucratic procedures and charges, in the shortest possible time. Through our cooperating network of car repair shops, any damage to your vehicle is settled automatically. You may also enjoy absolutely free of charge other benefits offered by the cooperating car repair shops, without any charge, such as fuel cards, technical inspection, vehicle replacement as well as discounts.
4. Insure your electric car smartly
The smart coverage offered by Minetta Insurance with the Minetta Electrify plans providing truly “electric” coverage, not only by reinventing the existing vehicle plans, can make the future of the car safer, all year round, winter-summer. It therefore offers specialized coverage for both electric and plug-in hybrid passenger vehicles and taxis, such as:
- Civil Liability while charging the vehicle
- Personal accident of the driver while charging the vehicle
- Theft of charging cables
- Rental of batteries or vehicle replacement for private use
- Material damage while charging the vehicle
5. Respect the effects of heat
It is easy to ignore how much the sun can affect you, but it is also important to pay attention to how it affects driving and vehicles, electric or not. Heat stroke can make you drowsy and an overheated vehicle can leave you on the road. Fight fatigue by taking frequent breaks and pay attention to your vehicle’s warning signals, as they may prevent damage and malfunctions.
6. Watch out on weekends and holidays
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, summer and autumn are the most dangerous times of the year for drivers, with July and August being the most dangerous months. Due to increased traffic, the chance of a collision is much higher. For professional drivers, this time of year requires more attention to driving. Do not drink if you are going to drive or find another means of transport if you want to drink. This way you can enjoy summer drinks and the beach bars, without endangering your own life or the lives of others.
7. Do not ignore the weather forecast
Depending on which part of the country you are in, summer weather events can include sudden thunderstorms and rainstorms that lead to floods and more. The friction coefficient of the asphalt decreases and slipperiness increases, visibility decreases (fogging up the windows of cars and trucks as well as the shields of motorcycles), signals and traffic lights become indistinguishable for everyone, potholes fill with water and you cannot see their depth. Replace your windshield wipers and adjust your driving in a storm: turn on the low beams, drive at a reduced speed, keep your distance and do not drive in stagnant water.
8. Protect your eyes from glare
Driving during summer is difficult on your eyesight. Besides the intense sunshine that stings the eyes, the windshield gets very dirty in dry weather and the marks enhance the reflection of the sun. Make sure there is always enough windshield wiper fluid, to maintain good visibility and always wear the right sunglasses that will protect your eyes from fatigue and glare and will help you see more clearly.
Take advantage of the offers
At Minetta everything runs fast and efficiently but the payment method is slow i.e. you can pay up to 12 interest-free installments at pay.minetta.gr. In addition, Minetta Insurance offers a discount:
⦁ up to 5% to an owner driver aged 35-60 years
⦁ 5% with passenger insurance in another use (for example, agricultural, truck, motorcycle)
⦁ 10% due to status (in uniform)
⦁ 10% for new model vehicles (new)
More information at www.minetta.gr
Happy Summer!