The internal workings of an electric vehicle are far different than that of ICE vehicles and it is changing each year.
New models, longer ranges, and higher power all contribute to the complexities of EV breakdowns.
What should you do immediately after your EV has broken down?
Just like you would with a petrol or diesel breakdown, find somewhere safe to pull over and stand away from the vehicle if you are on a busy road. Turn on your hazards and call your insurance or breakdown provider.
What happens if my car has run out of charge?
Running out of charge is the most common reason why EVs breakdown. This can be due to a lack of access to charge points, or simply ignoring the warning light! To get a charge point installed at your place of work, contact us here.
If you have run out of charge, you still need to call our breakdown provider. They will most likely give your EV enough charge to get to the nearest charging station.
Can you tow an electric car?
As a last resort, you can have your EV towed. However, cars with regenerative braking have traction motors that can be damaged if the car is towed. It is best for your car to be picked up and transported on a flat bed truck or trailer instead. Always check with the manufacturer first!
Your EV can be jumpstarted using the smaller 12 volt battery, which powers lights, heating, and other extras. If the smaller battery also needs to be jumpstarted, you can use a petrol or diesel car to give you just about enough charge to reach a fuel station. It is important that you read your car manual before attempting to jumpstart any batteries.
For example, the Nissan Leaf states, “Never tow with the front wheels on the ground or four wheels on the ground (forward or backward), as this may cause serious and expensive damage to the motor.”
To find out more about what happens when charge runs out on an EV, click here.
What happens if you were involved in an accident?
The European New Car Assessment Programme oversees the crash safety testing of new vehicles. It has given most electric vehicles on the market today a five-star safety rating.
The Highway Loss Data Institute data has shown that injury claims on EVs are 40% lower than ICE vehicles, perhaps due to its heavier weight meaning that occupants experience less force in the collision.
In the event of a crash, you should always monitor the risk of fire. Lithium batteries can be highly dangerous if they are damaged since they are surrounded by coolant in EVs. If there is a coolant leak, batteries can overheat and set on fire. Although this risk has decreased over the past years, breakdown providers, occupiers and emergency services must be careful to avoid high-voltage areas in the event of an accident.
How can you avoid breaking down in electric vehicles?
As aforementioned, the majority of breakdowns are due to a lack of charge. The solution to this is to plan longer journeys ahead of time so you know where the next charging station will be. ZapMap is great for this!
Make sure you have enough charge before you leave your home and/or place of work. If you need charge points installed for commercial purposes, Charge And Recharge can help. Call us today on 01827 211600 to arrange a consultation.