Electric car drivers issued urgent warning as charging in hot weather 'can be detrimental to battery health'

While millions of Britons will be basking in the sunshine, experts are warning that electric vehicle owners could be impacted by the warm weather.

The high temperatures could reduce battery capacity inside electric cars, which could see drivers left with shorter battery ranges and lower performance rates.

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Drivers are being urged to make changes to their normal charging habits to ensure they can maintain their battery life and stay on the road.

If motorists have to rely on the public charging network, they are advised to charge during cooler parts of the day, such as the early morning or late evening.

This will minimise the heat stress of the battery and ensure the battery's health is not as impacted as much as it potentially could be if someone were to charge at midday.

Similarly, when looking to park, EV owners are advised to park in a shaded area or use a car cover to protect it from direct sunlight.

Not only will this prevent the battery from overheating, but it will make the interior cooler, allowing for a more pleasant driving experience when they get out on the road.

Chris Moniz, electric vehicle charging expert at Volta EV, said: "Extreme heat can affect the performance and lifespan of the EV's battery, as well as the charging equipment.

"High-speed or fast charging generates more heat, which can be detrimental to the battery's health, especially in extreme heat conditions."

Moniz called on EV owners to opt for slower charging when possible. While this will mean some drivers are required to wait slightly longer to charge, the health of the battery will be maintained.

Many modern electric vehicles will also have helpful features like battery preconditioning to allow drivers to cool down or warm up the battery before charging.

This can often be done using the app associated with the vehicle to ensure drivers can get up and go when they look to drive.

They can also use the app to see the health of the battery when it is charging, with drivers advised to adjust the charging rate if the temperature gets too high.

Using the additional features on the app, Britons can use the climate control system to keep the interior cool while charging, helping to reduce the overall temperature of the battery.

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Moniz continued, calling on drivers to make sure they maintain a suitable flow of air inside the vehicle when charging.

He said: "Ensure that the charging equipment and the surrounding area have proper ventilation to allow heat dissipation."