Battery care
Leaving it parked for a long time
Store around half full, cool, and plugged in if the car has a storage mode
The worst thing you can do to a parked electric car is leave it full in the sun.
At a glance
- Verdict. Store around half full, cool, and plugged in if the car has a storage mode
- Evidence. Manufacturer guidance plus calendar aging research
- Applies to. Any lithium pack unless the page says otherwise
- Cost to follow it. Nothing
The detail
Around 50 percent is the usual advice, or 70 to 80 percent if the car stays plugged in over winter. Do not store at 100 percent and do not store near empty. Calendar aging is driven by state of charge and temperature, and a parked car is doing nothing but calendar aging.
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.