Hot Weather, Cool Drives: 8 Smart Summer Tips for EV Owners
August 14, 2025
Summer’s here, and so is the heatwave. While EVs are more than capable of handling hot weather, high temps can still zap your battery, cut your range, and put extra stress on charging systems if you’re not careful. The good news? A few smart habits can keep your EV cool, your range healthy, and your ride ready, no matter how high the mercury climbs.
Electric Avenue designs chargers built to perform in everyday environments, and we believe knowledge is power. So here are eight expert-backed tips to help you protect your battery, maximize efficiency, and keep your EV cruising all summer long.
1. Precondition While Plugged In
Before you hit the road, use your vehicle’s preconditioning feature to cool down the cabin while your car is still plugged in. This helps avoid draining your battery just to reach a comfortable temperature.
Thermal management systems also work more efficiently when connected to a power source, helping to maintain optimal battery temperature and prolong lifespan. It’s a win-win: a cool cabin and a cooler battery, without sacrificing range
2. Use Climate Control Strategically
Full-blast A/C feels great…but it’s a range killer. Instead, cool smart.
- Precondition your cabin before you drive, as was mentioned above
- Use recirculation mode to keep air cool longer
- Prefer seat or steering wheel coolers if your vehicle has them. They use far less energy than whole-cabin A/C
According to studies, summer A/C use impacts EV range far less than winter heating. But that doesn’t mean it’s free. Every kilowatt counts.
3. Smooth Driving Stays Efficient
Aggressive acceleration and braking waste energy and strain your battery. Especially in hot weather.
Instead, drive smoothly and take advantage of regenerative braking. Many EVs let you dial in your regen level, so turn it up and let your car do the work. Not only does this help recharge your battery on the go, but it also reduces heat buildup from traditional braking systems.
4. Don’t Overpack. Lighter means farther
It’s summer road trip season, but that doesn’t mean you need to bring the whole garage. Every extra pound reduces your range, and EV batteries are already heavy on their own.
Keep your load lean, skip the rooftop cargo box unless absolutely needed (aerodynamic drag = more energy use), and enjoy the extra miles.
5. Park in the Shade (Your Battery Will Thank You)
Just like you wouldn’t leave your dog in a hot car, your EV’s battery also prefers to avoid direct sunlight. Heat accelerates battery degradation, and keeping your car cool is one of the easiest ways to protect it.
Whenever possible, park in:
- Underground or covered lots
- Under trees or solar canopies
- Next to buildings casting shade
- Anywhere out of the sun. Especially during peak afternoon hours
6. Skip the Fast Charge (When You Can)
Everyone today is all for speed, but DC fast charging in high heat can spike battery temps, compounding stress on your cells and speeding up degradation over time.
When possible, opt for Level 2 charging, especially at home or overnight. If you must fast charge on a hot day, do it early morning or after sunset, and just top up! Don’t go for a full charge.
7. Avoid Charging Right After Driving
Your battery’s already hot from the road. Give it a breather before plugging in, especially if you’ve been driving in direct sun.
Best practice? Charge early in the morning or late at night when ambient temps are lower. It’s better for your battery and better for your wallet if your utility offers off-peak rates.
8. Stay Between 20-80%
You’ve heard it before, but it matters more in the heat: Keep your state of charge between 20% and 80%. Charging all the way to 100% or letting your battery drop too low can cause extra wear, especially when temperatures are pushing 30°C+.
Set a charging limit in your vehicle or app, and let your battery breathe.
Bonus: Go Solar and Charge Smarter
Got solar panels? Summer is your time to shine. Charging during the day with solar energy can reduce costs and carbon. This helps make the most of the season’s long daylight hours.
Summer Heat, Meet Smarter Charging
EVs are built for performance, and with a few tweaks, you’ll keep yours running strong even on the hottest days of the year. Precondition smart, charge cool, and protect that battery like the valuable asset it is.
