A modern electric vehicle will most likely meet your daily commuting and errand needs, and most people switching to electric vehicles will consider their weekly mileage before purchasing one.
But if range is no longer an issue for buyers, what’s holding them back? The real problem facing electric car enthusiasts is charging.
While the range of electric cars has improved, the number of charging stations simply hasn’t kept up with demand, meaning some owners have to queue to use their devices or are disappointed when they find their devices no longer work. Well, it’s normal for electric car drivers to worry about running out of battery when driving an electric car. If owners of gas-powered cars were in the same situation, they might be worried too.
Running out of battery in an electric car is actually not that serious. Forgive us for stating the obvious…the car doesn’t work anymore. As you might expect, this is very similar to running out of fuel in an internal combustion engine car, but there are some differences you need to know if you’re running out of fuel.
Here, we’ll take a look at how different electric cars perform at 0% charge and answer all the important questions you might have. For example, can you tow an electric car if you run out of battery in an unsafe location? How can you get a few extra miles out of your car to avoid running out of battery?
How to prevent electric cars from running out of power
Today’s electric cars do their best to warn you of any impending danger, with several alerts popping up on the driver’s display to indicate that the battery is low and needs to be charged.
Typically, the first warning will come in the form of a “low battery” message on the digital instrument cluster, informing you of your limited range. As you may have guessed, at this point you may need to find a charger and charge it.
Electric cars are able to find nearby charging points and reroute you to the device of your choice.
Once the battery charge drops below a certain level, a “Limited Performance” warning appears on the dashboard, significantly reducing the car’s power.
Manufacturers install the turtle symbol on most electric vehicles to indicate a lack of performance. Wasteful systems, such as air conditioning, will also shut down so more energy can be sent to the motor.
they are not exactly the same
After all the warnings and charge reductions, no two electric cars will drain their batteries in the same way. Some will slow down to a stop with plenty of warning, while others will stop suddenly, making operation more difficult once the battery is drained.
Once an electric car’s charge reaches 0%, some electric cars will continue driving for a few miles and then stop. During testing, some models were able to continue driving even if the display showed 0% battery.
When the car finally comes to a stop, it may do so slowly. In some cases, the power steering system may stop working, making the vehicle more difficult to maneuver.
Not all electric vehicles keep power to the digital display and power steering system. Some people will, and may even be strong enough to climb into a rescue truck.
Can I tow an electric car?
You can’t tow an electric car the same way you can tow a gasoline or diesel car because electric cars don’t have a traditional transmission, so there’s no neutral. Towing a car with gears can damage the motor and battery.
In the event of a breakdown, the best way to move an electric vehicle is with a flatbed truck. Some front-wheel drive electric vehicles can be towed by lifting the front wheels, while rear-wheel drive electric vehicles can be towed by lifting the rear wheels.
Some electric cars have a tow mode that releases the handbrake to make it easier to load the car onto the flatbed.
How to avoid running out of battery
Electric cars give ample low-battery warnings, providing ample opportunity to avoid complete depletion.
When traveling long distances, it’s best to plan ahead and identify charging locations along the way. Using Eco mode and maximizing regenerative braking can help extend your driving range.
There are apps that show the location of charging points and help plan your trip.
You can extend the remaining range by turning off systems such as the radio and heater, although this may only add a small amount of extra distance.
Reducing unnecessary weight inside the vehicle also helps improve efficiency.
What to do if the battery is dead
If the battery is depleted, please contact your failure or recovery provider. Some now come with small charging units that can give you enough power to keep driving.
If this is not possible, a flatbed truck may be required to transport the vehicle.
