Battery care
Heat and where you park
Established
Heat is the one factor with no argument attached. Hot climate cars degrade about 0.4 percent a year faster.
At a glance
- Verdict. Established
- Evidence. Peer reviewed research plus fleet data
- Applies to. Any lithium pack unless the page says otherwise
- Cost to follow it. Nothing
The detail
Park in shade where you can and avoid leaving the car at 100 percent in summer heat. High state of charge and high temperature compound rather than simply adding, which is why the combination is worse than either alone.
Buying a Used EV or Hybrid?
Get the battery measured before you pay for it. A PPI Auto inspector tests the pack on the car you are looking at and sends you the numbers. Starting at $225.