In the hot seat: EV owners warned extreme summer heat could melt travel plans

Electric vehicles meant to help curb climate change are susceptible to the very problem they seek to treat: extreme heat.

As the planet experiences its hottest days on record and heat waves blanket tens of millions of Americans, EV owners are advised to avoid long-term damage to the batteries powering their cars.

The warnings augment the unique challenges of EVs compared with traditional gas-guzzlers, including the lack of public charging stations, reliance on China for critical lithium used in batteries, electric grid reliability and high sticker prices.

The industry is concerned about the feasibility of President Biden’s proposal to phase out sales of new gas-powered cars and force automakers to focus primarily on EV sales by 2030.

“Just in time for [the Environmental Protection Agency’s] regulatory push on electric vehicles, this week’s heat wave in the Southwest is bad news for EVs,” Western Energy Alliance, a lobbying group for oil and natural gas, said in a Twitter post.

Industry analysts and EV automakers recommend several ways to prevent EV batteries from overheating:

• Avoid parking in the sun.

• Avoid rapid charging.

• Charge during cooler times of the day.

• Use air conditioning sparingly.

• Use air conditioning while the car is plugged in, allowing charging power to cool the battery.

• Tesla recommends keeping the battery charged 20% to 80%.

Charging of any kind during extreme heat, particularly with rapid chargers, can lead to a long-term reduction in battery capacity, experts say.

Kate Harrison, a co-founder and head of marketing of MoveEV, said the benefits outweigh the inconveniences but require some adjustments. Her EV transition company advises employers on converting gas-guzzling fleets to electric power with the help of tax incentives. 

“There’s definitely a segment of the population in general that is EV-hesitant,” she said in an interview. “EVs are just like smartphones. No one really worries about having to charge it. Charging your phone is part of your day.”

Ms. Harrison said lower lifetime costs from the savings on gas and maintenance and the tax incentives are what win over EV clients for driving around town and daily commuting.

“It is a new technology, and it takes a bit of getting used to,” she said. “It’s not usually 108 degrees outside. Most of the time, you come home and plug in. You don’t need to use a fast charger at all, only on larger trips that need to be planned out.”

Democrats included a tax credit of up to $7,500 for new EVs in a tax-and-climate spending package that Mr. Biden signed into law last year. The credit is based on domestic sourcing requirements for manufacturers that will become increasingly strict.

The biggest summer hurdle for EV owners is their charging habits. Avoiding rapid charging and charging during certain times of the day means more planning and the likelihood that long road trips are out of the question.

Cold weather also impacts EVs by significantly limiting their range on a single charge and taking longer to reach full capacity. Still, lower temperatures don’t weaken the battery in the long term like extreme heat can.

As part of Mr. Biden’s green energy agenda, the EPA proposes stringent emission reductions across automakers’ fleets. Compliance would require roughly 60% of new vehicle sales to be EVs by 2030 and 67% by 2032.

If enacted, the rule must overcome legal hurdles.

Republican attorneys general in half of the states and leading trade associations tied to the transportation sector are expected to mount legal challenges saying the EPA is exceeding its authority. They argue that fundamentally altering an entire sector of the economy and Americans’ way of life without congressional approval is unlawful.

“At the end of the day, when we enter into litigation, it’s not about animus,” Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron told The Washington Times. “It’s not about anything other than standing up for the values and interests of our state, and standing up for common sense ideals and making sure that the Biden administration plays inside the bounds, not only of our constitution but the statutory framework that’s been set up by Congress.”