EV Question: Can you jump start your EV?
PerÂspecÂtive EV driÂvers are plagued by worÂries about range anxÂiÂety. Can you get to where you are going on a full charge? What hapÂpens if you run out? Can you jump start an EV?
Many EV ownÂers quickÂly lose any anxÂiÂety they have about range after a few weeks of driÂving an EV full-time. HowÂevÂer, there may come a time when you do lose juice and need a jump. So, can you jump start an EV? LuckÂiÂly, it turns out the answer is YES!
You can jump start your EV the same way you jump start a gas vehiÂcle. EVs have two batÂterÂies – a batÂtery pack that powÂers the elecÂtric motors and anothÂer 12-volt batÂtery that is familÂiar to anyÂone who has driÂven a gas car. This smallÂer batÂtery, like in a gas car, powÂers the lights, wipers, disÂplay, etc. It also ensures that the lithiÂum-ion batÂtery pack can be charged (SaariÂnen, 2021).
The process of jump startÂing an EV is exactÂly the same as jump startÂing a gas car. HowÂevÂer, the 12-volt batÂtery may be hardÂer to find, as difÂferÂent modÂels may have moved the 12-volt batÂtery to a difÂferÂent locaÂtion. AddiÂtionÂalÂly, you need to use a gas car to jump start the EV and make sure your vehiÂcle is not plugged in to an elecÂtriÂcal source. You can plug it in once the jump start is comÂplete (SaariÂnen, 2021).
And rememÂber, you can always call on roadÂside assisÂtance for addiÂtionÂal backup.
EV Question: Can you use your EV to jump start a gas car?
ElecÂtric vehiÂcle manÂuÂfacÂturÂers recÂomÂmend that you do NOT use an EV to jump start a gas car.
Why? The 12-volt batÂtery found in EVs lacks the same punch that you find in the 12-volt batÂtery of a gas car. Using the EV 12-volt batÂtery to jump start a gas car could damÂage your elecÂtriÂcal panÂel and softÂware (BraithÂwaite-Smith, 2020).
Some manÂuÂfacÂturÂers may even goes as far as to say that using your EV to jump start anothÂer vehiÂcle voids the warÂranÂty, so be sure to check before riskÂing it!
RefÂerÂences:
BraithÂwaite-Smith, Gavin. "Can you jump start a car using an elecÂtric vehiÂcle?" 17 April 2020. <https://www.motoringresearch.com/car-news/jump-start-car-with-ev/>.
SaariÂnen, MarÂtin. "Can you jump-start an elecÂtric car?" 29 Jan 2021. <https://www.drivingelectric.com/your-questions-answered/133/can-you-jump-start-electric-car>.