Can an EV sit in the garage for three months?

[Stevemr]

So thinking about switching to an EV next year, either a Kia EV3 or 6.
One potential issue is that we can be away for up to 3 months at a time.
With a diesel, I never have an issue leaving it in the garage on a smart battery charger.
Am I likely to have any issues leaving an EV for 3 months without driving it?

[Simon_GH]

I very much doubt it. Many sit in dockyards and dealerships for that length of time. I’d make sure the traction battery was part charged - apparently prolonged low or high charge can cause accelerated degradation of the battery.

[AdeTuono]

No.

[InitialDave]

Should be fine, but I'd still put the 12v battery on a Ctek or similar.

[Matt_E_Mulsion]

The 12v battery will probably go flat unless you leave it on a battery conditioner. They are still working in the background even when the car isn't being used, keeping the systems running and the high voltage battery in good order.

[RGG]

When I went away I -

Set the maximum charge to 80%

Connected to the charger to activate 2 X week for an hour or so.

The 12v battery will keep it's charge from the main battery.

[InitialDave]

RGG said:

The 12v battery will keep it's charge from the main battery.

From experience, I'd be wary of relying on that.

[Nnnnnnnnnn]

Around once a year mine is abandoned in a car park for up to 4 months while I'm abroad for work. Never had any issues when I get home. But I resist the urge to check on it on the app, I think that's what causes alot of peoples problems.

[Cristio Nasser]

We do this once a year with our EV and it’s fine. Leave with approx. half charge and have never had any issues. The ICE car tends to be the one that’s hit or miss if it’ll fire up first time after that amount of time as the 12V battery has to have enough oomph to turn the starter. No such demand on the 12V battery on an EV. Just needs to be able to turn the electronics on, and then you’re away.

Plus, many cars sit in dealers and storage areas for much longer than that without issue.

Crack on and don’t overthink it.

Edited by Cristio Nasser on Saturday 14th December 20:38

[paralla]

InitialDave said:

From experience, I'd be wary of relying on that.

Most EV’s and PHEV’s only charge the 12V battery from the traction battery when they are in Ready mode (turned on and ready to drive or actually driving).

[OldGermanHeaps]

I know of a leaf that was parked up for 4 month waiting on parts, not on charge, not being disturbed by anyone, just parked up. One night it caught on fire and burnt 14 adjacent vehicles.
Was interesting to watch the cctv. They had a hell of a time putting it out, it just kept reigniting and the intensity was crazy compared to the petrol car fires i have seen.
Motivated me to get a longer charging cable to charge mine at the other end of my driveway not immediately in front of my front door.
It was a faulty one, but crazy how much energy it had stored after being undisturbed for months and why the hell did it just take a notion one night?

Maybe speak to a dealer and ask if they have any recommendations. Maybe activate transport mode?

[Discombobulate]

Not a problem. Mine has sat for months. Parked at 58%. And was 56% when I switched it on nearly 4 months later.

[RGG]

InitialDave said:

RGG said:

The 12v battery will keep it's charge from the main battery.

From experience, I'd be wary of relying on that.

Our 12v battery is eleven years of age.

Still going strong.

[Evanivitch]

RGG said:

When I went away I -

Set the maximum charge to 80%

Connected to the charger to activate 2 X week for an hour or so.

The 12v battery will keep it's charge from the main battery.

Long term ideally you'd set nearer 60% in most cases, but user manual would probably advise.

So I couldn't find the EV3 manual.

But the EV6 manual says this

If the vehicle will not be in use for an
extended period of time, charge the
high voltage battery once every three
months to prevent it from discharg-
ing. Also, if the vehicle battery charge
is insufficient, immediately charge the
vehicle to full capacity and store the
vehicle.

[Stevemr]

Thanks for all the answers.
More reassuring than Kia’s head office response.


Thank you for contacting us and looking to purchase a new Kia EV3 or EV6. Although that does state drive once every 3 months.
It will be left in the garage, so I assume I can leave the 12 volt battery on a trickle charger anyway.

Kia’s response:-
“With any vehicle, if it is parked for an extended period, the battery charge level will become low.

It is recommended to drive your vehicle for more than 30 minutes at least once every three months.

I do recommend contacting your local Kia dealership who will be able to provide further guidance and recommendations.

Please follow the link to find your local or preferred dealer.
https://www.kia.com/uk/utility/find-a-dealer

If there is anything else I can help you with, please get in touch via email or call us on 0333 202 2990.”

[Knock_knock]

I'd aim for having the big battery at as close to 50% as convenient so it's under the least long term stress. You shouldn't see more than a few % drop over three months.

The 12v will need the smart/trickle charge for sure, I would say. I wouldn't trust the built-in system for this extended period.

My bigger concern than both would be looking after the tires - won't they get flat spots if left at normal pressures?

[Whistle]

I left my Tesla parked up for 7 weeks over the summer and it only lost around 30 miles.

[Aunty Pasty]

With Kia, after a certain period, a week maybe two, you won't be able to check up on it with the app. It shuts down external comms to save on power.

[NDA]

My Tesla was fine for 6 weeks in a garage a couple of years ago. I left it with an 80% charge and (from memory) it was about 77% when it was next used.

I wouldn't leave it on a charger for that length of time and you'd need to turn off anything like Sentry Mode and auto climate/cabin heating/cooling etc - also resist the temptation of checking in on it every couple of days (ie waking it up).

But yes, it will be fine.

[GT6k]

RTFM. Some manuals will give specific guidance, for instance BMW says leave it connected to the charger. It will.be car specific as it depends on the 12V charging strategy. Mistakes to avoid are constantly checking the app to look at the state of charge or allowing some third party app to do the same.