10 Tips on increasing EV battery life in rainy weather

Your EV might perform poorly and experience loss of battery under rainy conditions. The following guide i here explains some of the best and practical ways to increasing EV battery life in rainy weather.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Electric vehicles (EVs) gradually gain their place in the everyday life of India, people worldwide, as they are cost-effective, energy efficient, eco-friendly. Yet, as monsoons seasons in most regions of the country are long and unpredictable, a rather common question by EV users is how to charge EV battery in rain.

Although EVs have been designed to be shock and water-resistant, frequent contacts with moisture, inappropriate charging behavior, as well as the absence of care may have an adverse effect on the battery condition in the long run. This article is a detailed, practical and simple to apply guideline to enable you maintain your EV battery performing as best it can even in the rainy season.

increasing EV battery life in rainy weather

Why the Maintenance of Battery during Rainy Season Is Important

Electric vehicles use lithium-ion batteries that are vulnerable to heat, water and inappropriate charging habits. Long exposure to rain may lead to:
Sweating around connectors

Terminal and electronic corrosion
Reduction in energy efficiency
Battery accelerated aging

All these risks render the care of EV batteries in the season of monsoons necessary.

1.Covered parking or Carports

Why it matters: Direct damage by rain raises the humidity inside and near the car, forming a perfect environment of rusting, corrosion, and even short circuiting.
What to do:

It is always advisable to park your EV either in a covered garage or under a roof.
Install weatherproof car covers that target the electric vehicles.

2.Avoid closed roads and puddles Many live pests live in puddles and flooded roads.

What this means: The majority of EVs actually have IP-rated battery housings, but when roads are flooded, there is more risk that water will find its way into the wrong place, not to mention wetting the insulation or underbody shielding.
What should they do:

During flood season, utilize route planning applications to circumvent the flooding sites.
In case it could not be avoided, move slowly and do not brake abruptly.

3.Examine and Dry the Charging Port on a Regular Basis

Why it matters: The water inside the charging port may prompt electric mistakes with the device and deteriorate metal contacts with time.
What can be done:

Before charging and after charging, the charging port must always be dried.
When not in use keep the port cover closed.
When there is heavy rain, do not use your EV until and unless you have a shelter over the charging station.

4.Check the Battery Health with BMS

Why it is important : The Battery Management System (BMS) shows the actual voltage, temperature, and the condition of the battery.

What to do:

Check the BMS dashboard on a regular basis.
Sudden rapid decreasing of battery percentage or overheating warnings should be sought.
In case you observe abnormal regularities, make an appointment with a specialist.

5.Do not Fast Charging in Cold or Wet Conditions

The relevance of this : Fast charging when the battery is cold or damp can lead to thermal stress and decrease the efficiency of the battery with time.
What to do:

Charge slowly or over night in rainy days.
Never charge your car after driving in the rain.

6.Keep Undercarriage Dry and Clean

Why it matters: Road debris, mud and moisture accumulation beneath the vehicle may cause rust and insulation failure around battery wiring and connectors.There is a well recognised answer to this:

What to do?

Visit a car wash once you drive through the floods or muddy grounds.
Allow it to dry under cover in a place where there is free circulation.

7.Regenerative Braking Use With Care

Why it matters: Frictional slip makes roads slippery, and violent regenerative braking may instance to jerky stops or twists.
What to do:

Reduce regenerative operations to lower settings when there is a heavy rain.
Use hand brake whenever coming to turns or to traffic lights.

8.Keep Firmware Update

What makes it important: The company can release software updates that will bring enhancements related to the weather-specific performance and battery management in the future.
What should be done:

Ensure that the over-the-air (OTA) updates are checked regularly.
Activate automatic update in case it is present.

9.Periodical Professional Inspection Scheduling

Why it matters: Well-trained EV technicians are able to detect problems that cannot be identified by ordinary users, particularly connectors and insulation of batteries.
What must be done:

Get a monsoon check-up at your authorized service centre.
Request special battery diagnosis and water proofing tests.

10.Keep Optimum Tire Pressure

Why it matters: The right tire pressure will deliver maximum traction when wet, thus less pressure on the braking systems that consume more power and this indirectly favors battery consumption.
What should be done:

During rainy seasons, check the tire pressure weekly.
Blow out according to manufacturers instruction.

Questions frequently asked:

Q1: Will I have problems driving an EV during heavy rain?
Answer: Yes, EVs were engineered to be used in wet situations, though care to take — such as driving on drained roads and ensuring that the charging insert is dry before use- is necessary.

Q2: Will water be able to destroy the EV battery?
Reply: Not first hand. The battery is sealed though cracks or loose connections may cause problems where there is water causing short circuiting or corrosion.

Q3: Is it okay to charge my EV during rain?
Answer: You just can, but make sure the charger and port are outright dry and ideally in an indoors place.

Q4: What is the frequency of EV inspection in the monsoon?
Answer: Preferably after a 2-3 week or right after driving through the rain or flood-prone conditions.

Bonus Tips

Humidity can be reduced by use of silica gel pouches in the cabin.
One should not use AC every time because it influences range in rainy season.
Always have an EV emergency toolkit and an emergency contact number.

Conclusion

Maintaining your electric vehicle battery during the rainy season does not only help your auto part last longer, but also guarantees your safety and the efficiency of your vehicle.

These tips, advises and ideas on how to increase battery life of EV, i.e., regular checkups, smart charging and even as simple as parking under covers might go a very long way towards EV battery life in rain.
Adhering to these best practices, you will be able not only to have your EV battery last long, but also assure yourself of a safe, smooth, and environmentally friendly drive every time of the year.

I hope This Article Help to increasing EV battery life in rainy weather….Thank You.