In a rapidly evolving EV market, questions around safety continue to surface: Does EV battery weight increase the risk of injury in accidents? What’s the optimum temperature for battery safety? What happens if an EV battery submerged floodwaters? And what’s the safest method for charging? These are a few of the most common concerns shared by new and prospective EV drivers. We’re going to unpack the key information you need to stay safe in your newest EV charging, driving and ownership experiences.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, commercially available electric-drive vehicles must meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and undergo the same rigorous safety testing as conventional vehicles sold in the United States. But this doesn’t mean EV owners can skip their part in safety responsibilities. EV charging, for example, comes with some associated risk of fire and electrical shock injury. But when conducted with certified equipment installed by a qualified electrician, risks are greatly reduced. According to FEMA, there are seven basic steps every EV owner should follow to ensure safe charging:
Temperature control is an important part of EV battery safety due to the rate at which chemical reactions take place within the battery in extreme conditions. While there are thermal management systems that are designed to keep your EV battery at an optimal temperature, extreme heat and cold can affect your car’s range and performance.
EV range begins to drop at a battery temperature of about 85 degrees. Some tips for maintaining a safe battery temperature in hot weather include:
Cold weather can drop EV range by up to 20% when temperatures hit 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Some tips for maintaining a safe EV battery temperature in cooler temperatures include:
Since EV batteries are highly corrosive and prone to catching fire when submerged, they should not be exposed to standing water. Of course, in certain regions and at certain times of year, it can be impossible to predict or prepare for flood conditions. While electrical corrosion from standing water may not always be visible, an EV can experience thermal runaway in the hours or days after rising waters recede.
If your EV is submerged in floodwater, it’s important to step away from your vehicle and have it towed away from any homes or buildings. Have a certified professional examine the battery for any damage before returning your EV to the road.
When it comes to EV safety, charging is a top priority. Between varying plug types and multiple charging-speed options, there’s a lot for consumers to think about to ensure their safety.
In general, there are three categories of EV chargers, offering a variety of different charging speeds: Level 1, Level 2 and direct current (DC) fast chargers.
As with all electrical work, be sure to have a licensed electrician inspect your home prior to installing or using any type of EV charging equipment.
The most common plug type used for Level 1 and Level 2 charging is the J1772 plug (J Plug). All EVs sold in North America use this standard plug for charging except for Tesla. The good news is Tesla owners can use J Plug charging if they have a J Plug adaptor.
For DC fast-charging (Level 3 charging), a Combined Charging System (CCS) connector plug or the Tesla connector (a proprietary connector for Tesla only) is required. Combined, these two plugs cover about 96% of EVs on the U.S. market.
Cars that use J Plugs can use DC chargers, but only if their J Plug features the CCS connector. As with Level 1 and Level 2 charging, Tesla has exclusive plug features that require some variation in approach. More information can be found at Energy.gov.