Get the most out of your EV this summer

Whether you’re gearing up for a week away or enjoying a day trip or two somewhere local, your EV is the perfect summer companion.

Here are some quick tips for preparing for your summer road trips, and how to keep your EV in top shape.

There’s probably two things on your mind when you’re thinking about your EV in the sun: 1. Is the battery going to overheat? 2. Is the heat going to affect my range?

Well, here’s the good news. Neither needs to be a worry. EVs are fitted with top-notch cooling systems to stop them from overheating. And if you’re worried about hot weather zapping your range, no need to be!

Sure, EV batteries can lose a small amount of range (between 2% and 5%) when temperatures hit 32°C or above. But even if the temperatures get that high, it won’t drastically impact your range.

That said, here are a few tips to get the most from your EV in the heat:

• Air condition your car while it’s still plugged in: Yep – you can cool it down before you hit the road, all while it’s still plugged in. It might feel a bit counterintuitive having your EV turned on while it’s charging, but it’s totally fine. Just pop the air con on using your app about 10 minutes before you leave, and you’ll step into a lovely chilled car - without using up any extra battery on the move.
• Drive in eco mode where possible: If your car has an eco mode, use it to help extend your range.
• Avoid excess weight and keep your tyres topped up: Keeping your tyres topped up and your load light will help keep your range from dropping.
• Use Intelligent Octopus Go to charge at night: Charging during cooler times of the day reduces stress on your EV’s battery – and if you’re on Intelligent Octopus Go, electricity is much cheaper at night.
• Use solar panels to charge your EV for free: What’s better than cheap electricity? Free electricity. If you have solar panels, you’re likely to generate a lot of electricity when the sun’s out – and you won’t pay a penny for any of it. By connecting your solar PV system to your EV charger, you can feed all that lovely sunshine straight into your car.

Did you know?: Intelligent EV customers can save £500 on solar panels with Octopus Energy

• Avoid rapid charging on hot days: On very warm days, charging an already hot battery using rapid or ultra rapid chargers (which generate more heat) can reduce how efficiently your EV charges, and accelerate battery wear.

Many modern EVs and chargers automatically limit power on hot days to protect the battery, but this still puts stress on the system. Best to avoid if possible.

Now you know how to look after your EV in the summer, you’re all ready to take that road trip of a lifetime.

Snacks? Check. Tunes? Check. Fully charged and preconditioned EV ready to roll? It’s road trip time.

Whether you’re checking out for two weeks, enjoying a spontaneous weekend getaway, or taking the kids for a good old-fashioned bucket-and-spades day at the seaside, your EV will get you there in style.

If you have a long day of driving ahead, use Octopus’ Electroverse app to plan your route and any charging pit stops you need ahead of time – or use it to find a handy place to plug in once you arrive at your destination. Just be sure to check your car’s compatibility with public chargers before planning a stop.

Did you know: Electroverse has you covered on mainland Europe too!

It’s always worth bringing your charging cable along so that you can guarantee you have one that works

To sum it all up:

• Your EV won’t overheat, thanks to your car’s internal cooling system.
• Hot days can make charging less efficient and reduce range – but there are plenty of quick actions you can take to minimise this.
• A little advance planning can save last-minute charging panics – use the Electroverse app to plan your route, and always bring a spare charging cable.

Check out our EV hub for the latest news, views, and advice on all things EV-related, from charging to trips away.